20 December 2021 | Tennis West

Sixty-seven partner schools. Thousands of tennis racquets. Countless happy kids!

This year’s ANZ Tennis Hot Shots Racquet Roadshows marked a record-breaking giveaway in WA.

Thanks to ANZ Australia, more than 2,500 tennis racquets were presented to Pre-Primary students from schools throughout WA from Kununurra to Esperance and Kalgoorlie to Busselton, as well as right across Perth, providing them with an exciting first tennis experience.

In its fifth consecutive year, the ANZ Tennis Hot Shots Racquet Roadshow aims to encourage kids to pick up a racquet and hop on court, helping to develop an ongoing interest in tennis.

“Providing students with a memorable and impactful first experience of tennis is critical,” said Tennis West Schools and Pathways Manager Ardian Fazuli.

“Children who pick up a racquet before the age of 12 are far more likely to play the sport as an adult so providing a variety of opportunities for students of all ages and abilities is highly beneficial,” he added.

With special visits and video messages from WA pro players Matthew Ebden and Tristan Schoolkate, the students were inspired by the endless possibilities and potential of the shiny new racquets clutched in their hands.

Many of the ANZ Tennis Hot Shots Racquet Roadshows also featured special visits from local mayors, ANZ representatives and passionate coaches, spreading the joy of tennis far and wide.

By the end of 2021, 200,000 racquets will have been placed into the hands of first year school children across Australia, with 30,000 racquets being delivered this year alone.