BLIGH GOVERNMENT POURS $9 MILLION INTO REGIONAL TENNIS

Mt Isa: Premier Anna Bligh, together with Sport Minister Judy Spence, has today announced the delivery of more than $9 million in funding, to transform tennis centres in regional areas into elite sporting facilities.

Ms Bligh said tennis organisations in Toowoomba, Mt Isa, Rockhampton, Cairns and Thuringowa will each receive a share of the total funding package, under the Regional Tennis Facilities Program, aimed at developing new high quality tennis facilities in remote and regional areas by 2010.

“This government is committed to providing sporting enthusiasts throughout Queensland with access to first class sporting facilities,” Ms Bligh said.

“The delivery of more than $9 Million in state government funding for five regional tennis centres around the state, will help foster the development of future tennis champions from grass roots to elite level.”

Minister Spence said the regional centres awarded the funding, have been considered as to be in the best position to deliver sport and recreation opportunities to tennis enthusiasts in remote and regional Queensland.

“We have a proud history in this state of developing champion tennis players, including Roy Emerson, Rod Laver and Pat Rafter,” Ms Spence said.

“Pat is living proof, some of our greatest sporting heroes can from outside the city centres – which is why providing facilities of an international standard in regional areas is so important.

“The centres chosen to receive this significant funding, will be able to foster the development of junior players who have potential to achieve sporting success, while also providing all tennis enthusiasts with access to better opportunities to get active.”

Former world number one Australian tennis champion, Pat Rafter, who grew up and trained in Mt Isa, said it was important that regional players were given access to facilities that would help develop their game.

“I think it’s fantastic that these facilities, including the new tennis centre in my home town, will be built to international standard, which will nurture and promote tennis and develop younger players who may one day become our stars of the future,” Pat said.

The funding recipients include:

• Toowoomba Tennis Association: $1,676,000 to provide 12 new International Tennis Federation standard hardcourt tennis courts, a new club house and associated facilities.
• Copper City Tennis Club, Mt Isa: Approximately $556,094 to provide two additional International Tennis Federation standard hard court tennis courts, bringing the total to eight at the facility, and a new club house.
• Rockhampton City Council: $2,500,000 to upgrade 15 courts to International Tennis Federation standard and a new club house.
• Cairns City Council: $2,333,333 to provide 12 international Tennis Federation Standard Harcourt tennis courts and new club house facilities.
• Thuringowa City Council: $2,089,566 to provide 10 International Tennis Federation standard hardcourt tennis courts, including two show courts and new club house.

Tennis Queensland is also contributing $2 million dollarstowards the Regional Tennis Program funding package, as part of their four-year partnership program with the State Government.

Ms Spence said the new facilities demonstrate the government’s commitment to promoting the sport of tennis, which has about 200,000 social players and more than 20, 000 registered members.

“The new centres provide a good balance of facilities across regional Queensland,” Ms Spence said.

“The regional centres will complement the development, training and event opportunities to be provided at the new $82 million State Tennis Centre in Brisbane, which is set for completion in December 2008.

Media Contacts: Premier’s Office – 3224 4500
Minister Spence's Office - 3239 0199