The 27th Women in Tennis Legends Breakfast was held on Thursday January 8 at Perth Arena’s VIP Granite Room. Over 190 people attended this very special event, which aims to raise funds for the promising junior tennis players in WA. Among those in attendance was outgoing Tennis West CEO Michael Robertson, Incoming CEO Geoff Quinlan, Hopman Cup Tournament Director Paul Kilderry, Women in Tennis President Trish Ross, Tennis Australia Board Members Kerryn Pratt and Janet Young and of course the Guest Speakers/Legends, Matthew Ebden and Shannon Nettle, coach of WA tennis star, Casey Dellacqua.
Channel 9’s Peter Vlahos did a fantastic job as Master of Ceremonies, extracting some very interesting and funny stories from both Guest Speakers. Shannon ‘Stinger’ Nettle spoke about his playing and coaching background, before sharing with the audience some insights into Casey’s recent ranking rise and her plans for the future. Matthew Ebden was a surprise guest speaker, and a real crowd-pleaser, as he spoke about his delight at being picked for the Australian Hopman Cup team and his heartbreak when he realised his injury would mean his withdrawal from the tournament.
After the audience heard from the Special Guests and tucked into their superbly presented breakfast, there was a live auction of Sam Stosur’s signed sneakers, worn by Stosur at Wimbledon, along with a much-anticipated raffle draw. The winners of the raffle were as follows:
• 1st Prize – A Stunning Sapphire Bracelet – Kindly donated by Brinkhaus Jewellers – won by Judy Ellison (Maylands Tennis Club)
• 2nd prize – a $300 voucher to Tennis Only kindly donated by Tennis Only – won by Deanne Maloney (North Beach Tennis Club)
• 3rd prize – A petite tennis Ball Pendant kindly donated by Doris Brinkhaus – won by Pat Tighe
• 4th prize – a Holman Greenwall – Vertical Garden Kit with timer – won by Gaye Hayes – Dalkeith Tennis Club
All proceeds from the sale of the raffle and the auction went directly to the Women in Tennis Fundraising Committee, to assist with the development of junior female tennis players in this state.
Tennis West also conducted a Silent Auction, with an Andy Murray signed and framed racquet, a Roger Federer signed tennis ball, a US Open tennis experience, an office massage and gold earrings just some of the items that were available to bid on. All monies raised through this auction were donated directly to the 100 Club, which aims to support junior tennis players in WA with the cost of travel to tournaments and events around Australia and the world.
As part of the Breakfast package guests were given tickets to the Canada v Italy Hopman Cup match, which immediately followed the breakfast, featuring crowd favourite, and world number 7, Eugenie Bouchard.
This year’s breakfast was a huge success, largely due to the hard work of the Women in Tennis Committee, and their very generous sponsors. Tennis West, and all of the juniors in WA who benefit from fundraising events such as these, are very thankful for all of the Committee’s tireless work.
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