Rod Laver Arena/Melbourne Park, Melbourne VIC 3000, Australia, 24 May 2016 | Tennis Australia

Thirty thousand prep school students are now the proud owners of brand new tennis racquets, thanks to Tennis Australia’s ANZ Tennis Hot Shots program.

ANZ’s support of the program has ensured prep school students registered as part of the School Partnership Program receive a brand new tennis racquet, with an astonishing 30,000 taking up the opportunity over the past 18 months.

ANZ Tennis Hot Shots ambassador and Australian Fed Cup captain Alicia Molik was joined by ANZ General Manager Greater Melbourne Belinda McKay to mark the occasion at Mount Waverley Primary School in Victoria today.

Molik is delighted to see the opportunities the program offers to young children around Australia.

“ANZ has helped us deliver 30,000 racquets to children around the country and you can’t wipe the smiles off the kids’ faces,” Molik said.

“It’s fantastic to see so many tennis racquets in the hands of young children, which really encourages them to jump on the tennis court for the first time.

“The School Partnership Program is accessible to any primary school in Australia and gives kids the opportunity to play tennis as part of their curriculum. Tennis is a fantastic sport for kids – and their families – to play as part of an active and healthy lifestyle.”

ANZ Head of Marketing Australia Carolyn Bendall said: “ANZ is committed to supporting the growth of tennis at all levels – from our association with ANZ Tennis Hot Shots through to our sponsorship of the Australian Open. It is great to see how this is playing out in local communities.”

ANZ Tennis Hot Shots fast facts:

• ANZ Tennis Hot Shots is one of Australia’s most popular sports participation programs for the five to 12 year old age group.
• A record 196,834 children played ANZ Tennis Hot Shots nationwide in 2014/2015. This is a 41 per cent increase on 2013/2014.
• ANZ Tennis Hot Shots is popular with both genders – 46% girls and 54% boys participated in the program in 2014/2015.
• Currently more than 80,700 primary students play ANZ Tennis Hot Shots as part of their health and physical education curriculum.
• There are 1400 Tennis Australia partner schools in Australia.
• There are 481 Tennis Australia partner schools in Victoria.
• 784 students from Mount Waverley Primary School are registered to the ANZ Tennis Hot Shots program.

For further information on the ANZ Tennis Hot Shots Program please visit hotshots.tennis.com.au.