|
 |
EVENTS & FUNCTIONS
| TALKING TENNIS LUNCH 2007 |
| Venue: Melbourne Park Function Centre |
| Date: Sunday January 14‚ 2007 at 11:30 am |
 Perhaps it was the Australian Open’s “wonderful world of tennis” theme, but there were good feelings all round at this year’s Talking Tennis in support of Kids Tennis Foundation.
Of course, any time John Alexander and Jim Courier are on the same stage, there’s going to be a show! There certainly was a show, broadcast live on Channel 7 on Sunday, January 14 and featuring, as host Bruce McAvaney himself said, “a galaxy of stars”.
Guests were treated to a special performance by US up-and-coming female tennis player, Vania King, who beautifully sang "Wishing You Were Somehow Here Again" from Phantom of the Opera. And the musical entertainment continued, with James Morrison, Emma Pask and their band also taking to the stage and performing a brilliant rendition of "What A Wonderful World".
The fun kept coming as one tennis star after another was introduced to the live audience in the Function Centre at Melbourne Park. The list was as long as your arm holding your favourite racquet - Darren Cahill, Tennis Australia’s Craig Tiley, Roger Federer, Tracy Austin, Samantha Stosur, Todd Woodbridge, Amelie Mauresmo, Kim Clijsters, Arantxa Sanchez-Vicario and Rafael Nadal – all appearing in support of Kids Tennis Foundation.
Our star was Ian Goolagong, brother of Evonne. One of our team of dedicated Kids Tennis Foundation coaches, Ian was shown during one of his classes at St John's Primary School in Thomastown, Victoria receiving a visit from tennis great Todd Woodbridge. The wonderful benefits to these kids from learning tennis was obvious.
The mood in the room got even better when Brian Austin, representing our Principal Sponsor OAMPS Insurance Brokers, presented KTF founder and chairman Paul McNamee with a cheque for $100,000. THANK YOU, OAMPS!
And thank you to everyone who supported this year’s Talking Tennis, the sixth to be broadcast on Channel 7. KTF is thrilled to have the ongoing support of wonderful companies like OAMPS, along with the Australian Open, Garnier and Channel 7, not to mention American Express, with the exciting announcement that the company would again be donating $100 to Kids Tennis Foundation for every ace served on Rod Laver Arena during the tournament through the AMEX ACES Program!
Sincere thanks to Craig Willis, Bruce McAvaney and all the guests and panellists on Talking Tennis 2007, the hard working staff from the Australian Open (in particular, Lyndal Plum and Mandy Lowry), Channel 7 and Delaware North, all of whom, along with KTF helpers Jane, Jodie, Daphne and Mary, contributed to making Talking Tennis a smashing success. Thanks also to 3AW Southern Cross Radio and Austereo for providing radio advertising to promote this special lunch.
Fantastic items were on offer in the auction and raffle. Many thanks to generous donors Melbourne and Olympic Parks, Delaware North, Wilson Sporting Goods, Legends and Heroes, Australian Open and Australian Tennis Magazine. A big thank you to those who purchased auction items and to the many companies and individuals who bought tables of guests.
Funds raised at Talking Tennis will enable Kids Tennis Foundation to continue to provide tennis coaching on a regular weekly basis for many, many financially and socially disadvantaged kids throughout Australia.
There’s no doubt about it – Talking Tennis gets more wonderful every year!
View Talking Tennis 2007 photo gallery... |
|
|
|
|
|
|
