Budding Drouin stars at Open

Budding tennis stars from the Drouin Tennis Club have been granted a special invitation to witness world-class tennis at the Australian Open on Thursday.

Fifty local Tennis Hot Shots players and parents of the Drouin Tennis Club will be treated to a Grand Slam sporting experience with complimentary tickets and help with their transport expenses.

The Drouin Tennis Club is one of 22 clubs that runs the Tennis Hot Shots program, and has been invited by ANZ to attend a day at the country’s world-class tennis tournament. The club was chosen after best demonstrating its delivery of the program and commitment to engaging the young community to pick up a racquet and play.

Excited by the opportunity to reward 50 of its members with the Australian Open experience, Glenn Awty from the Drouin Tennis Club said the entire club was overwhelmed by the gift to attend the Australian Open.

“We’re absolutely thrilled to be heading to Australia’s home of tennis to see some of the world’s best,” he said.

“It’s not something you get to do every day; the entire club is overwhelmed by this gift from ANZ.”

ANZ head of marketing Australia Carolyn Bendall said as a proud sponsor of the Australian Open and Tennis Hot Shots, the company are committed to growing the sport of tennis across Australia, as well as within local communities.

“We are delighted to invite fans from all over Victoria to experience the Australian Open,” she said.

Tennis Hot Shots is Tennis Australia’s official development program specifically designed for primary school-aged children between five to 12 years of age.

In 2015/2016 the program had 213,883 registered participants in Australia.