Rally as One, a national program to support bushfire affected communities, visited the Adelaide Hills on Sunday 21 February, supported by the Australian Open (AO) and Australian Tennis Foundation (ATF).
Rally as One was launched in November to support bushfire affected communities. It comes after the global tennis community united to raise more than $6 million in January as part of the Australian Open’s Aces for Bushfire Relief initiative.
The fundraising efforts were showcased worldwide at Rally for Relief, a spectacular night of tennis and entertainment led by Roger Federer, Serena Williams, Rafael Nadal, Caroline Wozniacki, Novak Djokovic, Nick Kyrgios and Petra Kvitova.
The funds raised are being used to help communities rebuild in some of the areas worst affected by the bushfires last year, as well as delivering programs to support families and build resilience in kids.
“It was heartbreaking to see so many communities devastated by the bushfires that swept across the country in January last year,” Australian Tennis Foundation Executive Director Vicki Reid said.
“Rebuilding homes and infrastructure is a long and difficult road and we wish to support the people in the community during this time. We’ve designed Rally as One to help everyone come together, celebrate community spirit and promote social cohesion, knowing they have the support of the entire global tennis family.”
The Cudlee Creek fire took hold just days prior to Christmas in 2019, with towns such as Lobethal, Woodside, Brukunga, Charleston, Harrogate and Mount Torrens in its path. The fire was only declared under control two weeks later having destroyed over 23,000 hectares, 98 homes, over 500 buildings and more than 300 vehicles. Tragically, one life was lost.
As part of Rally as One, the Tennis SA team joined with the Adelaide Hills community at the Mount Torrens Tennis Club and Football Oval for a day of ANZ Tennis Hot Shots, social tennis, fun activations, raffles and giveaways.
Our thanks to the Mount Torrens Tennis Club, Torrens Valley Tennis Association, Mount Torrens Football Club, Mount Torrens and District Community Association, Country Fire Service, Bushfire Kids Connect, Mount Torrens Scout Group, Animals Anonymous, Jump First Jumping Castles and local stallholders for their generous support of the event.
Since November 2020, Rally as One has visited Kangaroo Island (SA), Yeppoon (QLD), Cobargo (NSW) and Mallacoota (Vic) to support the rebuild of local tennis clubs, deliver racquets to school students, host community events and encourage more people to play tennis.
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