Tennis great Evonne Goolagong to coach in Kimberley

12/11/98

Australian tennis great Evonne Goolagong is to coach in the Kimberley later this month.

Sport and Recreation Minister Norman Moore said today that with the support of the State Government's Country Sport Enrichment Scheme, she would be in the Kimberley from November 24 to 26.

Ms Goolagong would begin her visit in Broome on November 24 and 25 with the first of series of exhibition matches and coaching clinics.

She would be in Kununurra on November 26.

Mr Moore said that the Country Sport Enrichment Scheme was a Ministerial initiative which was being developed and run through the Ministry of Sport and Recreation.

The scheme would see $150,000 available each year to help sports take their stars to the country and for country areas to attract major sporting events.

Mr Moore said that Ms Goolagong had initiated the Evonne Goolagong Getting Started Program in conjunction with Tennis Australia.

Her visit to Western Australia was a joint Tennis Australia and Tennis West initiative, with support from the Country Sport Enrichment Scheme. Her program was aimed at increasing the number of young girls participating in tennis, with an emphasis on attracting girls who had never played the sport.

"This is real coup for the Country Sport Enrichment Scheme and great news for regional Western Australians," Mr Moore said.

"Ms Goolagong is an icon in Australian sport and a magnificent role model for young people everywhere.

"Her visits to the Kimberley will, I am sure, inspire young athletes in particular and it is of great pleasure to me that the visit is possible, thanks to the Country Sport Enrichment Scheme.

"When I first visualised the Country Sport Enrichment Scheme, the aim was to get top-class sport into country areas - to give those who do not live in the city real opportunities to watch top-class action.

"As a result of the scheme, we have seen Perth Glory play in Bunbury and Geraldton and the Western Warriors in action in Kalgoorlie.

"There have also been a string of coaching clinics and visits featuring teams such as the West Coast Eagles, Fremantle Dockers, Perth Wildcats and Perth Orioles.

"This latest initiative confirms the great benefits the Country Sport Enrichment Scheme is bringing to country Western Australians.

"The State Government has continually shown its belief in the need for regional Western Australians to be given access to top-class sporting facilities and support networks, as demonstrated by funding flowing to country areas from the Community Sporting and Recreation Facilities Fund.

"Other initiatives, such as the Sports Lottery Country Package and the Sports Club Development Scheme, ensure grass roots organisations get the infrastructure they need."

Media contact: Hartley Joynt, Minister's office, 08 9 321 1444 Bob Figg, Ministry of Sport and Recreation, 08 9 387 9749