Supporting communities affected by the bushfires on the Australian Open | 13 January, 2025 | All Information | Information and Options | Information and Occasions

Within the fifth yr of the Rally as One initiative, 200 members of the neighborhood affected by the bushfires are welcome to the Australian Open 2025.

Melbourne, Australia, 13 January 2025 | Tennis Australia

The Australian Tennis Basis’s ‘Rally as One’ program celebrates its fifth yr this yr – persevering with its very important assist for communities affected by pure disasters.

Based within the midst of the Black Summer time bushfires, the Rally as One program helps disaster-stricken communities by serving to to rebuild native infrastructure and providing free neighborhood occasions and tennis packages to strengthen social connections.

To have a good time the anniversary, ATF hosted 200 folks from communities straight affected by the floods and bushfires in regional Victoria in AO 2025. These households have been VIP friends at an exhibition match in the course of the opening week of the Australian Open.

“The previous 5 years have been extremely difficult for these households, as their lives have been destroyed by bushfires and floods,” mentioned ATF Director Vicki Reid. “All through this time, the Australian Tennis Basis has been dedicated to offering monetary assist to assist them. rebuild and recuperate.

“This occasion marked the fifth yr of our ongoing efforts, and we’re excited to offer these households with a journey of pleasure, togetherness, and unforgettable experiences on the Australian Open.”

Corryong resident Ally Boers was concerned in Rally as One and was straight affected by the 2020 bushfires.

“The odor of smoke makes it look like yesterday, you may shut your eyes, and one factor can take you again instantly. I needed to pack our luggage and take our three boys out of there, my husband stayed behind to place out the hearth,” she recalled.

“That is massive for us, it is a pleasure to have the ability to go to a spot like this – it is unbelievable. It is like a dream come true for us.”

The occasion follows the current Rally as One Roadshow, which passed off in New South Wales final month visiting the communities of Armidale, Grafton, Coffs Harbour, Kempsey and Kendall.

The ATF, in partnership with Tennis NSW took this system on the street – visiting flood affected areas. Over six days in December, the roadshow traveled to 5 places connecting native communities by tennis.

Working with native tennis golf equipment and colleges, this system supplies tennis classes and actions and promotes ATF’s Tennis for Youngsters Program, which supplies grants for before- and after-school tennis packages for kids in underserved communities. Each afternoon – native tennis golf equipment host on and off court docket video games, full with prizes, giveaways, meals and drinks.

Since its inception in 2020, ATF has used tennis as a device to carry communities collectively, offering help and assist to greater than 10,000 folks within the area and distant areas devastated by fireplace and flooding. ‘

Go to the web site, to be taught extra concerning the Australian Tennis Basis.