Ken Rosewall Regional Project - Ken's Travels Many more children in regional and remote areas of Australia have received coaching in a Kids Tennis Foundation program at their schools as part of the Ken Rosewall Regional Project (KRRP), thanks to funding from CQS, YULGILBAR FOUNDATION and ICP. Earlier this year, Ken was at the launch of KRRP at Kingswood Primary School in Penrith, NSW and since then has visited two more schools, namely Islington Primary School and Franklin Primary School. The story goes something like this……. FROM ISLINGTON PRIMARY SCHOOL: First of all I would like to thank the Kids Tennis Foundation for the opportunity given to our school to participate in the program this year under the banner of the Ken Rosewall Regional Project. Secondly I would like to acknowledge the commitment and excellent coaching provided by the coach Michael Mills. He has a real affiliation with introducing tennis to those that have no or little experience and an excellent rapport with children. Thirdly, the students who participated have benefited in many ways. We have new refugee students in the school and this was their first experience with tennis and the improvement in these students’ skills was outstanding. The same can be said for students in my class who have an intellectual disability and often poor gross motor skills. It provided them with a positive self-esteem boost to be able to participate with their peers within the broader school environment. All students regardless of background were enthusiastic every week and put in a great effort to improve, be responsible with equipment, learn to take turns and develop their sportsmanship and cooperative skills. We had approximately 50 students from years 3-6 participate throughout the year. The program offered teachers a valuable opportunity to learn new teaching skills and we now have the appropriate equipment to keep practising. The students really appreciated the visit from Ken Rosewall. It was a great chance to research his contribution to Australian tennis and they were very interested in what he had to say at assembly. He is a true gentlemen. Many students have enjoyed the positive outcomes from being involved in this program and we look forward to applying for the chance to be part of it again in future years. Sean Beeton Sport Coordinator FROM FRANKLIN PRIMARY SCHOOL The Kids Tennis Foundation program has been amazing. The whole school community is really excited about being involved with Kids Tennis Foundation and the Ken Rosewall Regional Project. Staff and students really enjoy the activities and the confidence gained by the students is evident. The skills they are learning from Coach, Bernadette Franklin, are great and I think they already feel they could play for Australia! Having Ken himself visit the school recently was amazing. He spoke to the assembly. In his talk he spoke about the way his love of tennis had enabled him to travel the world and have such amazing experiences. The parents and grandparents who attended were keen to catch up with him afterwards for a chat. The students and staff are excited about the coming weeks of lessons. Our school is well equipped with Hot Shots equipment and we will continue to build on these skills. Carmel Stuckey Principal
