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NEWS RELEASES
| EAST DEVONPORT PRIMARY SCHOOL - TASMANIA |
| Published on February 21‚ 2013 |
| Our East Devonport Primary School program continues and the children are not only enjoying their weekly visit from coach Ruffles and coach Haslam, but their tennis is really improving. Under the watchful eye of East Devonport Primary School teach Craig Hawkens the children have not only improved their tennis skills, but self esteem and confidences have also improved. With warmer weather the East Devonport Tennis Club courts (located just across the road from the school) are being well utilized and on wet days Kids Tennis Foundation heads indoors to the newly completed gymnasium at the school. |
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| New KTF Programs commence in Tassie |
| Published on November 27‚ 2009 |
BY KIM ROBINSON
It is a very exciting time in Tasmania right now. Three new KTF programs have commenced in term three with two schools sharing a program in a spirit of cooperation. Nixon Street Primary School in Devonport will run their KTF program in term 3 (only 3 terms in Tas!) and into term 1 next year. Our Lady of Lourdes and Devonport Primary School are sharing their program and being located right next door to each other can also utilize shared facilities as well.
Daniel Wickham, who recently took over the reins at Devonport Tennis Club is the new coach for all three programs and is enjoying his first association with Kids Tennis Foundation immensely. He said “It is great to see these young kids willing to learn and having a great time as well”. The weather here recently has been almost perfect so the kids are having a great time enjoying their tennis tuition, fun games and of course the chance to be outside in the fresh air and away from their desks. The teachers at all schools have also provided us with very positive feedback in regard to the programs”.
A group of eight children are also learning to play tennis at East Devonport Tennis Club under the tuition of new young coach Fred Gott. Whilst not a direct Kids Tennis Foundation Program some of these children were involved in Kids Tennis Foundation programs last year at East Devonport Primary School and have decided to continue their tennis at a local club. A wonderful outcome! |
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| A good start to the year in Tassie |
| Published on June 10‚ 2009 |
BY KIM ROBINSON
We have had a very busy start to the school year with a large number of schools requesting the KTF Program. However, with coaches here it is very difficult to find coaches willing to travel to deliver the Program so there are some disappointed schools in both the north and southern regions. We do have two programs though here on the North West Coast and the kids that have started at Hillcrest Primary School in Devonport are loving it.
Sacred Heart School in Ulverstone will commence their two year Program in the next couple of weeks with KTF coach Saeed Behjat. Saeed is pictured here with students Lily, Amy, Isabel and Alice.
We are still trying to find a coach for Moriarty, a small school in the Latrobe area, and are working with students from the University of Tasmania and a part time coach in Hobart to see what can be done about delivery of programs in the far south of the state.
During the last month we also spread the word and promoted KTF at the coast’s largest business breakfast. The Devonport Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI) Office Professionals and Managers Breakfast provides all attendees with a gift bag and we were able to put a KTF brochure in each. Also, thanks to Susie and KTF partner Garnier, we were able to further promote KTF and Garnier during the many prize draws during the event so hopefully we will see new “friends” of KTF in the near future from this promotion.
And.....
Great news! Congratulations to grannie Kim on the arrival of her first grandchild, Blane Alexander Robinson. |
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| News from the Apple Isle 2008 |
| Published on December 23‚ 2008 |
FROM KIM ROBINSON
November 2008
Rhonda and Tony Thatcher (pictured) are about to embark on their Tasmanian holiday which was one of the major auction prizes at the Kids Tennis Foundation “Pastel Paisley & Pearl” Ball in Melbourne recently.
The couple honeymooned in Tasmania some years ago and are very excited about their 10 night stay. They fly into Hobart and stay at Sullivan’s Cove Apartments for two nights before taking a Thrifty hire car to explore the rest of the state. Two nights at Edgewater and then off to Cradle Mountain to stay at Lemonthyme Lodge for a couple of nights before heading to Circular Head where they will stay at the world renowned @ VDL Stanley. Exploring Dismal Swamp, the Nut and many other attractions in the area will keep Rhonda and Tony busy. They then stay two nights at the fabulous Kokopelli Lodge at Port Sorell. Whilst there they will take a Murray’s Day Out tour to sample the award winning wines at Ghost Rock Vineyard and Barringwood Park. In addition they will enjoy Goodstone dining, a Gourmet 2 Go Gift Basket, Tiger Ranch wines and lots of other attractions. The package was assisted by Motors Pty Ltd, Tasfresh, Powertek Australia and Tennis Tasmania and thanks to all the sponsors Tony and Rhonda will spend 11 days in Tasmania.
All these businesses are great supporters of Kids Tennis Foundation and the money raised will ensure ongoing KTF programs in the State. Rhonda and Tony will pass through many of the small remote towns where Kids Tennis Foundation programs are conducted.
July 2008
Tasmania is a bit slow this time of the year (please no Tasmanian jokes) as we hibernate for winter. We have however had fantastic autumn weather with crisp clear mornings and calm sunny days so great tennis weather.
Of course there are those who would love some good rain as we continue to have drought-effected areas throughout Tasmania. Our thoughts are with others in the country experiencing the same tough times on the land and the wild and unpredictable weather that has been news for many months now.
We continue to have problems down under finding coaches to travel to remote schools in remote areas of the state. Tennis Tasmania who used to conduct "Tennis in Schools" have not run this program in the State for almost two years so Kids Tennis Foundation provides a great opportunity for disadvantaged children in many regional areas, however the challenge is to get coaches to deliver the programs.
We are working hard to have a number of new programs in third term which will continue in terms 1 and three next year. Yes, in Tassy we only have three terms per year, which works well for us, especially for families wanting to travel interstate during our school holidays.
It does seem that the only consistent tennis participation provider (perhaps in the country) is KTF and we are all proud to be associated, especially when we get such great feedback from our schools and our children.
We are continuing to build a working relationship with Tennis Tasmania so that KTF can fill some gaps left by the defunct Tennis in Schools program.
I hope that someone in the newsletter also congratulated our wonder Susie Norton on her big “0” birthday recently. It was a great party and so many spoke so highly of this very special woman who continues to inspire all of us to keep working hard for KTF in our various states. When the going gets tough here I just get a “dose of Susie and Kate” and am enthused and inspired again!!!!
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| News from Tasmania - December 2007 |
| Published on December 3‚ 2007 |
BY KIM ROBINSON
Our Kids Tennis Foundation program at Riana Primary School is continuing and the children are all big fans of the program and this is evident from the progress they are making in their lessons under the guidance of coach Jim Haslam.
Tennis Tasmania continues to partner programs in Tasmania however the problem of available coaches for remote centres is an ongoing one. Kids Tennis Foundation is the only deliverer of in-school tennis activities around the state at the moment. Tennis Tasmania’s Tennis in Schools program is without a sponsor and so has not been offered in Term 1 or Term 2 this year.
We are working on linking our KTF programs to tennis clubs and hope that there will be some progress in this area in the near future.
Here are some comments from some of the children in the class at Riana Primary School:
Tyson: “I have really enjoyed the tennis games Mr Haslam has taught us. I can serve better now!”
Cale: “I like hitting the balls around. It is hard to serve if you don’t do it properly”
Sarah: “I learnt some really great stuff like the 12 o’clock serve position”
Glenn: “I have learnt about serving and it’s lots of fun” |
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| News from Tasmania - May 2007 |
| Published on May 28‚ 2007 |
BY KIM ROBINSON
Riana Primary School
The teachers and students at Riana Primary School are very excited about Kids Tennis Foundation. This remote country school in North West Tasmania has few opportunities for activities such as tennis, so Kids Tennis Foundation is a great opportunity for these children to access coaching and a fun physical activity on a regular basis.
Riana Primary School has 120 students from kindergarten to grade 6 with combined classes. Most children travel to school by bus as they are generally kids from farms in the surrounding district. With most parents committed to intensive dairying and cropping activities on local farms, access to after school sports activities is very limited for most children in this rural area. The school has 9 hectares of bush and conduct a great environmental program and they do offer swimming for all students, with an indoor pool part of the school facilities. Active After Schools Programs are also offered twice a week at the school. Riana Primary School is structured with flexible learning and KTF is a part of this program. Jim Haslam is the KTF coach and says the children love the program and he hopes that one or two of the kids may be tennis players of the future. |
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| Flower Power Tennis Ball in Melbourne |
| Published on November 30‚ 2006 |
What a great night again at the KTF “Flower Power” Tennis Ball and congratulations must go to Susie, Kate and the team for an exceptional job as usual.
This year our Tassy table contingent grew again and thanks to all patriotic Tasmanians and friends for your company! We certainly had a fabulous time and as is par, made many new friends during the course of the evening.
Kids Tennis Foundation has gained valuable exposure here recently and in return we have been able to provide a number of Tasmanian businesses with promotion of an auction prize for the ball. The incredible generosity of business helped me package a unique and exciting holiday in North West Tasmania and in doing so we are able to spread the KTF message and add programs in more schools in this region.
The holiday for successful auction winners Mr and Mrs Hibble will start with return airfares from Melbourne to Burnie with Regional Express Airlines (REX) thanks to the Burnie Airport Corporation. On arrival in this beautiful part of the island, Mr and Mrs Hibble will receive a gourmet basket of Tasmanian products from Gourmet 2 Go to keep our travelers comforted over the next few days. Mr and Mrs Hibble will be met on arrival by Murray’s Day Out tours and they will enjoy a personalized day tour of the region, visiting Creative Paper then to lunch at Emeste, both in Burnie. After lunch, we take a leisurely drive along the coast to Devonport where our holiday makers will enjoy two nights at The Edgewater.
The next day Mr and Mrs Hibble will collect their hire car from Thrifty Car Rentals, generously provided by TasVacations. A day of exploring the Mersey Valley region, a visit to the beaches at Port Sorell, lunch at our newest vineyard, Ghost Rock and then back to Devonport for dinner compliments of Indulgence Café.
Day three our lucky couple can visit the Platypus capital of the world at Latrobe, explore the Meander Valley and sample famous Anvers chocolates, Christmas Hills Raspberry treats and Ashgrove Cheese. Following another restful night at The Edgewater our explorers will head to Cradle Country and on the way sample more Tasmanian wine and produce at Barringwood Vineyard. A visit to Sheffield the Town of Murals, and a drive through some of the most beautiful country in the land as they make their way to Lemonthyme Lodge in the heart of the wilderness near Cradle Mountain.
Following a night where relaxation in the spa overlooking the tree tops of the majestic Tasmanian hardwood forest is pure indulgence, Mr and Mrs Hibble will make their way to Strahan on the West Coast of Tasmania. Two nights at Pure Tasmania’s Strahan Village will be the perfect base to explore this wild and untamed region. To completely relax and appreciate this beautiful area, we start with a cruise on the Gordon River with World Heritage Cruises, then a unique experience by train through the rainforests on the Wilderness Railway.
For the adventurous side of the holiday a ride with Wild River Jet Boats will just add to the memories. From the West Coast, our holiday makers move to the far North West, near the “edge” of the world, staying at Tall Timbers, an award-winning resort hotel-motel. Perhaps a game of tennis or a swim and massage will be on the agenda at Tall Timbers. From their Smithton base they will visit Dismal Swamp and perhaps slide from the tree-tops to the forest floor all while breathing the cleanest air in the world!
In Circular Head, Mr and Mrs Hibble will also visit historic Highfield House, ride the chair lift to the top of the Nut, visit the Seaquarium and lunch at the Stanley Hotel with some of the best Tasmanian seafood and beef on offer.
Finally it will be time to say goodbye, but on the way back to the Burnie Airport, our couple will delight in the diverse coastal scenery, beautiful beaches and finally enjoy lunch at the Wynyard Hotel before their flight with REX back to Melbourne.
This entire holiday is thanks to many businesses, all which were willing to be part of a great North West Tasmanian holiday experience. We hope that a similar prize will be available annually so that we can continue to offer Kids Tennis Foundation programs to disadvantaged schools in Tasmania. It is fabulous that Strahan and Zeehan will be two new primary schools receiving KTF programs in 2007. These two small remote schools on the West Coast will share a program over the next 12 months thanks to the generous support of all sponsors that continue to support KTF around the country.
A big thanks to everyone who played their part in ensuring that this auction item was a popular one with guests at our recent ball and we in Tasmania look forward to extending our hospitality to Mr and Mrs Hibble in February next year. |
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| News from Tasmania - July 2006 |
| Published on July 21‚ 2006 |
BY KIM ROBINSON
Kids Tennis Foundation programs are up and running at East Devonport Primary School under the guidance of coach Jim Haslam. The program is thanks to The Edgewater who generously sponsor the KTF program at the school and the local tennis club. The East Devonport Tennis Club courts are directly opposite the school and with a small membership the partnership with The Edgewater and Kids Tennis Foundation has breathed life into the club for the next twelve months. With limited funding at the school, an approach was made to the management of this business and it was their passion for their community that enabled the partnership to be formulated to ensure that these children are able to have the program and have access to the local club facilities.
Jim has been tremendous for Kids Tennis Foundation since returning from the USA a couple of years ago. Semi-retired Jim is passionate about tennis and providing opportunities to children in the community so every stakeholder in this story has one thing in common, a passion for kids, the community and tennis. Bringing all the parties together has not only provided tennis coaching for these children but has also helped to grow the game of tennis in this community.
KTF & Tennis Tasmania
At a recent meeting with Michael Roberts, CEO of Tennis Tasmania, a possible joint partnership arrangement between KTF and Tennis Tasmania was discussed. Tennis Tasmania currently introduces tennis to primary schools throughout the state and Kids Tennis Foundation delivers a program to those primary schools considered disadvantaged. By combining the resources of both organisations in Tasmania, more children will benefit by becoming actively involved in a tennis program in schools. The joint venture will also provide meaningful links to clubs and coaches and other tennis activities in communities throughout the state.
A partnership with Tennis Tasmania should give KTF access to coaches state-wide.
“Our problem with the delivery of tennis in schools has been servicing rural and remote areas satisfactorily,” said Michael. “By developing a partnership with KTF, we will be able to over come this problem in the future.”
Tennis Tasmania’s Tennis in Schools and Kids Tennis Foundation programs have similar objectives which include an all inclusive introduction to tennis, a valuable physical, non-contact, safe activity for all children, all ages and both genders, with an emphasis on fun. Both programs aim to improve confidence and self-esteem through an introduction to the “game for life”. |
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