AO On the Street: Fitzy takes Norm and Daphne to western Victoria | 30 October, 2024 | All Information | Information and Options | Information and Occasions

Tennis legend John Fitzgerald introduced the Australian Open trophies to the western Victorian city of Pomonal on the weekend the place two new courts had been opened.

Pomonal, Australia, 30 October 2024 | Luke Dennehy

When John Fitzgerald formally opened two new courts within the western Victorian city of Pomonal final weekend, it introduced again many reminiscences for the previous world No.1 doubles participant.

‘Fitzy’, as he’s identified world wide, grew up in Cockeechie on South Australia’s Eyre Peninsula, enjoying tennis on the identical clay courts.

“This jogs my memory of my origins, I really feel sincerely,” he stated. “The city I grew up in, Cockeechie, was a farming neighborhood with three tennis courts.

“A bit like Pomonal, it had a cricket oval and a corridor, the place our dad and mom used to go to Saturday night time dances and we used to reside within the automobile after we had been little children.

“The courts we had had been just like these, however they weren’t in good situation. In actual fact, there have been quite a lot of mushrooms and grass rising within the courts, which had been typically tough to regulate, and there have been extra flies.”

The bushfires devastated the neighborhood of Pomonal in February this 12 months and the brand new courts had been a part of the restoration of the proud neighborhood.

The courts had been constructed with the help of the Victoria Police Blue Ribbon Basis’s Trip to Keep in mind and Ararat Rural Metropolis Council.

“This neighborhood has been by rather a lot and to see what they’ve executed right here to construct these tennis courts is wonderful,” stated Fitzy.

Australian Open Cup visits Pomonal; CFA Captain Randall Bacon and John Fitzgerald. Picture: Tennis Australia

In addition to slicing the ribbon and opening the brand new courts alongside Pomonal Tennis Membership president Michelle Stewart, Fitzy was visiting as a part of his work supporting the AO on the Street programme.

AO on the Street – showcasing the Australian Open Norm and Daphne trophies in areas round Victoria – is a joint initiative between Tennis Australia and Tennis Victoria with the help of Go to Victoria.

Presently the trophies have gone to Bacchus Marsh and Castlemaine Tennis Membership, and within the coming months they may go to Mt Magnificence, Warrnambool, Morwell, Purple Hill and Mt Eliza tennis golf equipment.

“It is about taking the sport we love and two AO trophies to all these nice communities and we’re wanting ahead to subsequent 12 months’s Australian Open,” stated Fitzy.

“We discover that after we deliver trophies, everyone seems to be welcome, and also you by no means meet the incorrect individuals in locations like this.”

Australia has a proud historical past of many well-known nationwide gamers, together with Fitzy, who received their begin on the courts as Pomonal.

Fitzy appreciated the vital position of sports activities and companies like this performed in regional and rural communities.

“Tony Roche, Roy Emerson, Rod Laver, Evonne (Goolagong Cawley) and lots of others began on this nation and within the areas,” he stated.

Future AO on the Street tennis membership areas

• Mt Magnificence – Sunday, 3 November
• Warrnambool – Sunday, 24 November
• Morwell – Saturday, 30 November
• Purple Hill – Sunday, 1 December
• Mt Eliza – Sunday, 15 December