Melbourne, 7 March 2011 | tennis.com.au

Australia’s travelling tennis players will benefit from the opening of the new European Training Centre in the Italian province of Varese.

Opened last week by Minister for Sport Mark Arbib, the centre will provide athletes with access to training, medical and sport science facilities while on the road.

“The ETC will replicate the Australian Institute of Sport’s elite high performance facilities in Europe, providing a ‘home away from home’ for Australian athletes,” said Senator Arbib.

“As well as accommodation, the centre will provide world class sporting facilities and services such as sports science and sports medicine, strength and conditioning training and athlete career and education support where it is needed.

“The Government has been working very closely with the Australian Sports Commission, national sporting organisations, the Australian Olympic Committee (AOC), the Australian Paralympic Committee and the Australian Commonwealth Games Association to support Australia’s elite athletes as they strive to win Olympic, Paralympic and world championship gold.”

Tennis players will share the centre with a variety of athletes representing various sports, including rowing, cycling, canoeing, athletics, triathlon, volleyball, basketball, tennis, archery and shooting.

“The Government is committing $12.5 million for the ongoing operation of the ETC in the lead up to the London Olympics and Paralympics and beyond,” said Senator Arbib.