Kids Tennis Foundation
Founded by Paul McNamee, Kids Tennis Foundation is a unique charity providing tennis coaching for financially and socially disadvantaged children on a regular weekly basis throughout Australia. A social welfare program using tennis to help build self-esteem and self-confidence, Kids Tennis Foundation aims “to provide every child in every disadvantaged primary school in Australia with the opportunity to play tennis”. Kids Tennis Foundation has already introduced tennis to more than 220,000 children throughout Australia since its inception in 1983. Kids Tennis Foundation currently conducts in excess of 200 programs with approximately 4,000 children receiving coaching each week.
United Way
United Way is an international network of not-for-profit organisations that work to create lasting positive changes in communities and people’s lives, by investing donations and volunteer time to grassroots projects that address identified community needs.
United Way Australia, in partnership with Tennis Australia, is creating brighter futures for young people in need by providing mentoring programs so that all Australian children can reach their full potential.
United Way has no religious or political affiliations and last year distributed more than $5million to charity projects across Australia.
For more information about how you can be a part of what matters and improve the lives of young Australians phone Kirsten Bickendorf on 03 9650 3939 or visit www.unitedway.asn.au
The Bone Growth Foundation
The Bone Growth Foundation was established in 1991 to provide infrastructure and support for research into children’s crippling bone growth problems. Finding better, less painful ways to help children with bone growth problems begins with research….and research starts with funding. The Foundation has been instrumental in introducing new, innovative internal limb lengthening procedures to the Southern Hemisphere and whilst this new form of lengthening is a great improvement on the previous barbaric bone stretching methods, there is still a long road ahead to find better ways to treat children with short or damaged limbs as a result of birth impairments, fractures, infections, polio and bone tumours.
A unique annual fundraising event - the ISIS Bone Growth Foundation Tennis Challenge raises valuable funds which impacts the lives of many children in their quest to grow up straight and strong. Tables are set at arena level at Vodafone Arena with guests enjoying a black tie gala dining experience only metres from the centre court stage. Entertainment sees stars of the tennis world such as charity patron John Fitzgerald, Alicia Molik, Todd Woodbridge, Roger Rasheed, Peter Luczak and Paul Hanley teaming with non-tennis celebrities including Olympians Tamsyn Lewis and Craig Mottram, Neighbours star Stephanie McIntosh and singing sensation Jon Stevens for some serious and not-so-serious tennis action.
