Tennis Australia joins Indigenous Learn. Earn. Legend! Campaign
Minister for Indigenous Employment and Economic Development and Minister for Sport Mark Arbib today announced a new partnership between the Gillard Government and Tennis Australia to support the Learn. Earn. Legend! Indigenous Tennis Program.
TheLearn. Earn. Legend!program is about encouraging young Indigenous people to stay in school or training as part of the Government’s commitment to Closing the Gap on Indigenous Employment.
Senator Arbib said it was fantastic to have Tennis Australia involved in theLearn. Earn. Legend!program, which already includes the NRL, AFL and Cricket Australia.
Senator Arbib thanked Evonne Goolagong for taking the first steps in establishing the Indigenous Tennis Program in 2005.
“Since 2005 Evonne has run the Goolagong National Development Camp. The Camp provides Indigenous kids from all over Australia the opportunity to come to Melbourne to participate in an elite level camp,” Senator Arbib said.
“If kids want to participate in the program they must not only succeed on the tennis court, but also in the classroom.
“Thanks to the support of the Gillard Government, the Goolagong National Development Camp is now part of theLearn. Earn. Legend!Indigenous Tennis Program with Evonne as ambassador.
“We know the best thing all kids can do is get a good education. The more education a person has, whether that be finishing year 12, completing a TAFE qualification, an apprenticeship or a tertiary qualification, the more likely they are to get a good job and take care of their family.”
The Gillard Government is providing $350,000 a year for three years, matched by Tennis Australia, to run further clinics in regional Australia and spread theLearn. Earn. Legend!message.
The funding will increase the number of Goolagong-Cawley Scholarships for students to attend schools where they can both study and learn tennis. It will also support internships and school-based traineeships for participants and more than double the number of kids who can attend the Goolagong National Development Camp.
General Manager Community Tennis, Robin O’Neill said Tennis Australia was excited about being involved in theLearn. Earn. Legend!program and congratulated Evonne Goolagong on her appointment as ambassador.
“Tennis Australia is committed to assisting Indigenous Australia. Evonne has been a fantastic role model for tennis players and Indigenous Australians,” O’Neill said.
“Through supporting this program Tennis Australia hopes that young Indigenous tennis players will be encouraged to succeed on the tennis court and in the classroom.”
Senator Arbib said Evonne Goolagong was the perfect ambassador for theLearn. Earn. Legend!Indigenous Tennis Program.
“Evonne has been as inspiration for Indigenous Australians since her phenomenal success in the 1970s and ‘80s on tennis courts around the world,” Senator Arbib said.
“Since retiring from professional tennis, Evonne has dedicated her life to helping Indigenous Australians. She is proof that hard work and dedication are vital to success on and off the court.”
Tennis Australia is joining the NRL, AFL and Cricket Australia in supporting theLearn. Earn. Legend!initiative to support education and employment in Indigenous Australia.
“Sports Stars from across the codes have come out in support of theLearn. Earn. Legend!program and it is proving a successful source of inspiration for Indigenous kids all across Australia,” Senator Arbib said.