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30 January 2025 | Tennis Victoria

Wahgunyah Tennis Club’s own Hugh Bergin has been making moves on and off the court, earning the highly coveted Indigo Shire’s Young Person of the Year award for 2025. At just 12 years old, Hugh has already established himself as a community hero through his incredible dedication to raising funds for breast cancer research with his annual tournament, Racquets Against Breast Cancer (RABC).

The RABC tournament, which Hugh first organised at just 11 years old, has become a standout event in the Wahgunyah community. A Fast4 doubles competition at its heart, the tournament also offers family-fun activities like raffles, face painting, a BBQ, and a radar gun challenge for tennis enthusiasts eager to test their serving speed. This combination of fun and philanthropy has captured the hearts of locals and tennis fans alike.

Last year the inaugural RABC tournament was an overwhelming success, raising over $3,000 for the National Breast Cancer Foundation. The community’s enthusiasm hasn’t wavered since, and the event has now raised a combined total of more than $6,500 in its two years.

The upcoming 2025 edition of RABC is set for 2 March, and excitement is already building as Hugh prepares to surpass previous fundraising milestones. With support from Wahgunyah Tennis Club, local businesses, and community members, Hugh’s passion project is inspiring others to join the fight against breast cancer.

Hugh’s selflessness and leadership haven’t gone unnoticed. Back in May 2023, he was named Tennis Victoria’s Community Champion of the Month, and in 2024, he was a finalist for Tennis Victoria’s Volunteer of the Year award. These accolades highlight the impact Hugh has made in his community, not just as a young tennis player, but as a changemaker dedicated to creating a positive legacy.

Hugh’s motivation comes from a personal place. With breast cancer affecting his family, he wanted to take action. What started as an idea has now become a cherished annual community tradition, with the tournament becoming a platform for raising awareness, and support for breast cancer research.

Hugh’s journey is a testament to the power of community-driven initiatives. With each tournament, he continues to inspire those around him, proving that age is no barrier to making a meaningful impact.

As Wahgunyah prepares for another unforgettable Racquets Against Breast Cancer tournament, we also want to take the chance to celebrate Hugh as a young leader, a role model, and a champion for his community.

Mark your calendars for 2 March, 2025 and join Hugh and Wahgunyah Tennis Club in their mission to rally against breast cancer.