Over 500 public school students in Sydney attended their very first Schools Future Fit Program at Ken Rosewall Arena on 23-24 May.
The national education program was delivered in partnership with Tennis NSW, the Australian Tennis Foundation (ATF) and the Merrylands RSL Sub-Branch who made the program available to 500 students from low socio-economic public schools in New South Wales.
Students were captivated by the overall program experience from the Anzac commemoration presentation, to engaging with qualified tennis coaches with tennis lessons and a tour of a world-class venue at Sydney Olympic Park.
Co-founder of Youth of Tomorrow and Tennis Legend Pat Cash said:
“We have an obligation to support Aussie kids feel inspired and valued, and the Schools Future Fit Program delivers on these aspirations.”
An essential rotation of the Schools Future Fit Program is the presentation on the Anzac’s. It allows students to engage directly with a member of the Returned Service League to discuss the significance and relevance of Anzac Day in today’s multicultural society.
President of Merrylands RSL Sub-Branch David Czerkies (MAJ Ret’d) OAM CStJ said:
“Merrylands RSL Sub-Branch is proud to be associated with Youth of Tomorrow and the Schools Future Fit Program. We enjoyed giving our time to talk to the students and educating them about the service of our fighting men during the Gallipoli Campaign and the First World War. We also discussed how all veterans are supported by the Returned Services League no matter what service they have performed.”
The fully funded Schools Future Fit Program offers each participating school with an additional opportunity to engage in the ATF’s free after school tennis programs led by qualified coaches for a full term.
Chief Executive Officer of Youth of Tomorrow Umit Oraloglu said, “It was incredible to see so many students and teachers in our first ever Schools Future Fit Program delivered over two days at Ken Rosewall Arena. Our stakeholders and partners were instrumental in delivering positive change.”
Since 2015, the national education program has provided each participating student with a commemorative gift for their commitment to the program from the Department of Veterans’ Affairs.
The Schools Future Fit Program has engagement with up to 12,000 Aussie kids in three states since 2008 and the program is available to any year 6 public school in Australia.
