{"id":22294,"date":"2021-03-11T15:48:22","date_gmt":"2021-03-11T05:18:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.tennis.com.au\/sa\/?p=22294"},"modified":"2021-03-11T15:49:03","modified_gmt":"2021-03-11T05:19:03","slug":"rally-as-one-initiative-supports-bushfire-affected-communities-in-the-adelaide-hills","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.tennis.com.au\/sa\/news\/2021\/03\/11\/rally-as-one-initiative-supports-bushfire-affected-communities-in-the-adelaide-hills","title":{"rendered":"Rally as One initiative supports bushfire affected communities in the Adelaide Hills"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Rally as One,<\/em><\/strong> a national program to support bushfire affected communities, visited the Adelaide Hills<\/strong> on Sunday 21 February, supported by the Australian Open<\/strong> (AO) and Australian Tennis Foundation<\/strong> (ATF). <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rally\nas One <\/strong>was\nlaunched in November to support bushfire affected communities. It comes after\nthe global tennis community united to raise more than $6 million in January as\npart of the Australian Open\u2019s Aces for Bushfire Relief initiative.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The\nfundraising efforts were showcased worldwide at Rally for Relief<\/strong>, a\nspectacular night of tennis and entertainment led by Roger Federer<\/strong>, Serena\nWilliams<\/strong>, Rafael Nadal<\/strong>, Caroline Wozniacki<\/strong>, Novak Djokovic<\/strong>,\nNick Kyrgios<\/strong> and Petra Kvitova<\/strong>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The\nfunds raised are being used to help communities rebuild in some of the areas\nworst affected by the bushfires last year, as well as delivering programs to\nsupport families and build resilience in kids.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt\nwas heartbreaking to see so many communities devastated by the bushfires that\nswept across the country in January last year,\u201d Australian Tennis Foundation\nExecutive Director Vicki Reid<\/strong> said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cRebuilding\nhomes and infrastructure is a long and difficult road and we wish to support\nthe people in the community during this time. We\u2019ve designed Rally as One to\nhelp everyone come together, celebrate community spirit and promote social\ncohesion, knowing they have the support of the entire global tennis family.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The\nCudlee Creek fire took hold just days prior to Christmas in 2019, with towns\nsuch as Lobethal, Woodside, Brukunga, Charleston, Harrogate and Mount Torrens\nin its path. The fire was only declared under control two weeks later having\ndestroyed over 23,000 hectares, 98 homes, over 500 buildings and more than 300\nvehicles. Tragically, one life was lost. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As part of Rally as One,<\/strong> 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. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since\nNovember 2020, Rally as One has visited Kangaroo Island (SA), Yeppoon (QLD),\nCobargo (NSW) and Mallacoota (Vic) to\nsupport the rebuild of local tennis clubs, deliver racquets to school students,\nhost community events and encourage more people to play tennis. <\/p>\n\n\n\n