Tennis ACT launches fundraising appeal to bring international tournaments to Canberra
Tennis ACT has launched a fundraising campaign to get regular international tennis matches played in Canberra, the home of Australian tennis star Nick Kyrgios.
In partnership with the Australian Sports Foundation, the fundraising aims to finance technology upgrades and additional broadcast lighting needed to attract international tournaments to The National Sports Club, Lyneham.
Tennis ACT, in partnership with Tennis Australia, the ACT Government and Next Generation Health Clubs are currently undertaking a $27 million redevelopment at the facility including eight hard courts, four synthetic grass courts, 12 tier one European clay courts, four children’s ANZ Hot shots courts, as well as an indoor tennis centre with four hard courts.
While funding has been secured for the infrastructure development, additional funds are needed to complete the full transformation of the facility to allow Canberra to attract more international tennis events and support current and next generation elite players by providing them with a world class training base.
The Canberra community can now become part of the transformation by donating to The Canberra Tennis Centre – International Redevelopment project set up in a partnership between Tennis ACT and the Australian Sports Foundation. Donations received will help fund additional necessary upgrades including broadcast lighting, Tier 1 European clay courts, additional spectator and participant comfort requirements and major event data connectivity requirements. These upgrades will elevate the facility to international competition standards and will ensure that Canberra born and bred talent such as Nick Kyrgios, have a local facility that can support their training requirements all year round.
Tennis ACT Chief Executive Ross Triffitt explains “ultimately, we want Canberra to be on the map for international tennis and we want to keep our local talent connected to the community by having their training base in Canberra.
“We know the Canberra community loves their sport, and particularly their tennis.
“This facility allows everyone, from grassroots, to elite level players the opportunity to enjoy international standard facilities and events that many other cities around Australia already do and it’s projected that it will inject $15 million in to the Canberra economy in the next three years.”
The first donation has come from the family of Kyrgios, in memory of his late grandmother who regularly watched the youngster play at Lyneham.
Using the new facilities, Tennis ACT wants to add an exhibition match with Kyrgios and also the popular Legends tennis events to its schedule.
Donations over $2 are tax deductible and there are opportunities for donors to leave a lasting legacy on honor boards, via the Walk of Fame which will feature individual or family name pavers next to Centre Court and several of the shade structures at the venue will feature legacy plaques recognising more sizable donations. In addition, the Walk of Fame will honour players, coaches, volunteers, and officials who have contributed to the success and history of Tennis ACT and to tennis in the Australian Capital Territory.
The development will also include an aquatic and fitness centre, a child recreation centre and retail facilities which are still under construction.
Click here for further information or to donate.
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