Two highly-credentialled new administrators have been appointed and one returned to the Tennis Australia Board.
Melbourne, 19 December 2024 | tennis.com.au
Two highly-credentialled new administrators have been appointed and one returned to the Tennis Australia Board at their Annual Basic Assembly in Melbourne.
The Walt Disney Firm Australia and New Zealand Managing Director Kylie Watson-Wheeler (Vic) and former Aspen Medical Basic Supervisor Robyn Hendry (ACT) are the brand new faces on the TA Board whereas Mark Da Silva (Vic) was returned for a 3rd time period.
Reflecting on a profitable 12 months for the organisation Tennis Australia Chair Jayne Hrdlicka advised Members that it was the continued energy of participation numbers and important progress within the variety of youngsters enjoying tennis that stood out.
Tennis was essentially the most requested sport within the Australian Sports activities Fee’s Sporting Colleges program with greater than 530,000 college students experiencing the game at 3000 faculties previously monetary 12 months.
Golf equipment and venues raised the bar with improved courts, amenities and sensible expertise, growth pathways, aggressive alternatives additionally expanded and the recognition of complementary disciplines together with Padel, Pickleball and POP Tennis concurrently soared.
Among the many many excessive factors, there have been arguably none better than a gold-medal triumph for Matt Ebden and John Friends on the Paris Olympics. Their come-from behind victory in a dramatic last symbolised most of the most-loved traits of tennis – teamwork and grit.
Alex de Minaur achieved a top-10 singles breakthrough – fittingly, that milestone was secured as he represented Australia on the United Cup in January – whereas Ebden, Max Purcell and Jordan Thompson lifted Grand Slam doubles trophies all year long.
There have been additionally a number of Australian world No.1s. Storm Hunter ascended the summit in ladies’s doubles in November, Ebden turned a world No.1 quickly after his Australian Open 2024 doubles triumph, whereas Queensland teen Emerson Jones rose to junior No.1 after a shocking season that included progress to the Australian Open and Wimbledon ladies’ finals. And after a spirited marketing campaign to assert his first ATP Masters 1000 trophy in Montreal, Alexei Popyrin soared to a brand new career-high rating.
A collective ardour for tennis was clear within the file 1.4 million followers who flocked to the Australian summer season of Tennis and the affect of the Australian Open resonates all through the neighborhood. AO24 was confirmed as the most important financial generator in Australian sport, with a file $533.2 million in advantages delivered to the Victorian financial system in 2024.
A spread of initiatives has seen elevated participation for gamers with a incapacity, better gender fairness and expanded alternatives for First Nations communities within the sport, together with the launch of the “Tennis for Everyone” marketing campaign, that includes Adam Hills and rising the variety of ladies coaches to greater than 1100 – representing a forty five per cent improve since 2018.
Ms Hrdlicka additionally took the chance to thank retiring Board Administrators Diane Grady AO and Greg Hutchinson.
Ms Grady joined the Tennis Australia board in 2016 and has utilized her in depth expertise in company governance to the advantage of all organisations because the Chair of each the Governance and Nominations Committees.
Mr Hutchinson has been a staunch advocate and supporter of grassroots tennis since he joined the Tennis Australia board in 2015. His perspective as a former Member Affiliation President and membership patron has been invaluable all through his tenure together with the steering, he supplied through the pandemic to make sure the continuance of the game and the Australian Open.
Kylie Watson-Wheeler, Bachelor of Arts (Politics and English Literature), Graduate Diploma of Communications (Public Relations)
An enormous sports activities fan, Ms Watson-Wheeler and her household have at all times been concerned within the sport of tennis and are passionate long-term attendees on the AO. She holds a number of Govt and Non-Govt Director roles on the intersection of sport and leisure together with at The Walt Disney Firm Australia and New Zealand, ESPN and the Western Bulldogs AFL Membership the place she is the President.
Robyn Hendry, Bachelor of Administration (Tourism), Graduate Certificates (Govt Healthcare Management)
As a extremely revered Director on Tennis ACT since 2016, Robyn has important tennis governance expertise and deep household historical past of enjoying tennis and attending the AO. She is a senior government with 25 years of expertise in CEO, Basic Supervisor, and Board roles throughout personal, not-for-profit, and authorities sectors. Her experience spans well being, enterprise, arts and tradition, sport, neighborhood, tourism, and occasions. She has important expertise in end-to-end commercialisation together with as GM of Aspen Medical Advisory Providers, CEO of the Canberra Conference Bureau and the Canberra Enterprise Chamber.
The Tennis Australia Board includes:
