Castlemaine Lawn Tennis Club is set to receive a $10,000 boost as part of the ANZ Community Grant program.
The local club was one of 20 lucky organisations to receive funding support.
ANZ Community Grant ambassador and tennis champ, Dylan Alcott, surprised club members with the news over a Zoom call, enabling them to meet their tennis hero in a different landscape.
The grants help support and develop local tennis clubs who deliver the ANZ Tennis Hot Shots program.
For the past three years, ANZ has awarded $600,000 of grants funds to deserving tennis communities across Australia.
In addition to receiving a $10,000 ANZ Community Grant, Castlemaine Lawn Tennis Club will receive merchandise, equipment, signage and access to a local ANZ specialist to help them with their finances.
Club committee member Rob Phillips said the grant would be used to build a brand-new hitting wall.
“This will allow tennis players at all levels to improve their game and have an opportunity to train without relying on a partner,” he said.
“Often many club members are unable to find a hitting partner and are left with the option to hit against a wire fence, which is inadequate. The new hitting wall facility will help enhance the skills of players across the community.”
With 2020 becoming one of the most challenging years for Australians, the reward comes at the right time for the club, which is looking forward to reopening its doors to the community.
ANZ district manager Rob Collins said they were excited to present Castlemaine Lawn Tennis Club with this ANZ Tennis Hot Shots community grant.
“The club is a wonderful part of our community and a great supporter of ongoing grassroots tennis,” he said.
Tennis Australia CEO Craig Tiley said this was a fantastic opportunity allowing Castlemaine Lawn Tennis Club to make some exciting changes and provide their members with the best experience possible.
“We look forward to seeing Castlemaine Lawn Tennis Club prosper and we’d like to thank ANZ for its ongoing support of tennis in our community and the ANZ Tennis Hot Shots program,” Mr Tilley said.
ANZ Tennis Hot Shots is Tennis Australia’s official development program with a record 702,509 children between three and 12 years of age playing ANZ Tennis Hot Shots in 2018/19.
ANZ Tennis Hot Shots use smaller courts, lower nets, lighter racquets and low compression balls making it suitable for children of all abilities.
To find out more visit the Castlemaine Lawn Tennis Club website at www.castlemainetennisclub.com
