Funding for Tennis West Zone One program

6/2/96

About 4,000 junior tennis players in the Mid-West region will benefit from a $5,000 State Government grant to assist in a range of development programs over the next 12 months.

Sport and Recreation Minister Norman Moore said the money would go to the Tennis West Zone One, which would co-ordinate the programs among its affiliated clubs, through a regional development officer.

Mr Moore said that the program aimed for the total development of the sport at both the school and community level.

There were 15 clubs affiliated with zone three.  Their membership numbers ranged from 30 to 120.

Mr Moore congratulated the committee on its efforts.

"Tennis is making a determined effort to regain its status as a major sport in Western Australia," he said.

"The efforts of zone three complement those on a broader level of Tennis West, which recently conducted a very successful WA Open at the new Tennis Centre.

"Regional Western Australia is a fertile breeding ground for many sports, including tennis.

"Two notable tennis players to emerge in recent times are Siobhan Drake-Brockman and Jaymon Crabb.  Both emerged from zone six, based in Bunbury.  Jaymon is now with the Australian Institute of Sport."

Mr Moore said the grant was made through the Sports Lottery Fund which provided assistance to smaller sporting clubs, community groups and organisations.

"The fund helps country groups, in particular, to overcome distance and transport problems, stage their own competitions, provide accommodation for organisations and develop sports," he said.

"Country regions are going to receive $479,600 in Sport Lottery funding after getting an injection of $151,000 this year.

"The State Government is committed to helping the sports industry and individual sports to grow and provide facilities which will encourage the community to participate in sport."

Media contact: Anabel Gomez 321 1444 or 222 9595