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NEWS - NEWS FROM QUEENSLAND - 2006
| Queensland - Published on December 4‚ 2006 |
 WELCOME… Stephen Murphy
Stephen Murphy has taken over from Mick Seeney as the new Queensland Administrator for Kids Tennis Foundation.
Stephen is originally from Adelaide and during his time there won more than 10 junior and senior singles and doubles titles, and represented his district and state. After finishing year 12, he went on to pursue his other passion, journalism. In the early 1980s he twice spent summers in Germany as a coach and tennis writer. Upon his return he decided to go to university where he completed an undergraduate degree and postgraduate degree at La Trobe University in Melbourne. In the 90s he was married and became a dad to two kids. In 2000 Stephen and his family moved to Canberra, and he returned to coaching. After five years in there Stephen and his family moved to Yass in NSW. There Stephen introduced a coaching program to the Hume Tennis Club, and for three years sat on the club’s committee. He became a TCA and Tennis Australia Certified Development Coach and has just joined the new Tennis Australia Coaching Membership. Creating new tennis players and making tennis a positive part of children’s lives is Stephen’s passion in coaching.
Earlier this year Stephen and his family moved to Toowoomba on Queensland’s Darling Downs. He has been tennis columnist for the city’s newspaper and begun a coaching program at the Newtown-Centrals Tennis Club and has taken on the role of the club’s president. Stephen has had an active year in tennis writing. Now specializing in the history of the game, he has published articles in Australian Tennis Magazine, and has begun to work informally with Tennis Australia and the Australian Tennis Museum, Sydney.
Stephen has been associated with Kids Tennis Foundation for a couple of years and has edited the KTF newsletter on a regular basis. Stephen officially commenced as Kids Tennis Foundation’s Queensland Administrator at the beginning of term 4 this year and KTF is thrilled to have Stephen on board.
See below for Stephen's first report as Queensland's new KTF Administrator.
FAREWELL… Mick Seeney
Kids Tennis Foundation was launched in Queensland in 2000 and it was then that Mick Seeney commenced in the role of Queensland Administrator. During this time Mick sourced coaches and set up KTF programs in many disadvantaged primary schools throughout Queensland. As well as administering the Program, Mick also conducted programs as a coach for KTF.
Mick & Donna, together with their two sons, have left “the big smoke” to set up a new home in Sexton. Mick will still be involved with KTF as a coach and has already commenced a program at a school nearby.
Kids Tennis Foundation sincerely thanks Mick for his dedication and commitment in his administrative role with KTF and wishes him and his family all the best for the future.
NEWS FROM QUEENSLAND... by Stephen Murphy
Having been a Kids Tennis Foundation supporter and editor of this newsletter for the last couple of years, it’s a pleasure to contribute the first report as the new KTF Queensland Administrator. Thank you so much to my predecessor Mick Seeney for the excellent foundations he has helped lay down for KTF in the sunshine state. I hope Mick can continue as a valuable member of the Queensland coaching team for a long time to come. Many thanks also to our CEO Susie Norton and National Coordinator Kate Szabo, whom I had the pleasure of visiting in Melbourne recently.
I am writing this in Toowoomba which, if you don’t know, is a large regional city on the Darling Downs west of Brisbane. The city has a proud tennis heritage. Many years ago its big tennis events (including four Australian hardcourt titles) attracted some of Australia’s and the world’s greatest players. In fact I’m new to the city and to Queensland, having moved here at the start of the year from Yass, NSW. Since leaving my Adelaide nest many years ago I have enjoyed living in a number of capital cities and regional centres, but now am putting down roots here. It’s partly family roots that have brought me to the Downs. My father’s big family were prominent in tennis circles here a long time ago. I’ve become president of a club where an uncle was champion and tennis columnist for the Toowoomba newspaper. Here also I’ve continued to develop another of my passions, the history of the game, including as a contributor to Australian Tennis Magazine.
Of course, KTF is also a passion. What a brilliant idea it was back in 1983 - and still is - for we in tennis to utilise our sport to help kids in disadvantaged primary schools. None of it would be possible without the coaches. Thanks to these dedicated people around Queensland, KTF has been active in six schools this year. Mick Seeney has been at Theebine State School, Sandra Fields at Wooloowin SS, Bevan Mulholland at Tarangama SS and Emu Park SS, Bill McDonald at Scarborough SS and Kevin Banner at Elliott Heads SS.
Clearly the goal for 2007 is to consolidate and grow from this solid foundation. I will be joining the coaching team and looking to recruit additional coaches to further improve KTF’s effectiveness.
Until then I wish everyone a safe and happy holiday and summer tennis season.
Published on July 21, 2006
BY MICK SEENEY
Kids Tennis Foundation programs in sunny Queensland commenced in Term 2 to avoid the blistering heat of the Queensland summer during the early months of the year.
Five schools are in their second year with KTF. In the northern suburbs of Brisbane, students at Wooloowin State School and Windsor State School are introduced to tennis and encouraged by enthusiastic coach, Sandra Fields. Sandra works hard to promote tennis in and around the inner northern suburbs through her association with Fancutts Tennis Centre. Windsor State School’s Eileen Martin reported that the KTF program was the highlight of the week for many children. Wonderful news to hear!
KTF programs are now being conducted at two schools in central Queensland. Emu Park State School is now in its second year with KTF and Taranganba State School back again after an absence of a few years. Taranganba’s HPE teacher, Andrew Downes, is very excited about the program returning to the school this year. Coach Bevan Mulholland is looking forward to bringing the KTF program to the school and passing on his vast knowledge to the students.
Kevin Banner has commenced his programs at Elliot Heads State School near Bundaberg and looks forward to another successful year. Mark Williamson will challenge the children of Mooloolaba State School, and Scarborough State School students will have their tennis skills enhanced with Bill McDonald. Theebine State School in Mary Valley will receive the KTF program for the first time in 2006. Welcome to the KTF program! |
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