PRIMEST MINISTE 19 November 1979
OPERATION TENNIS
I very much regret that I have been sidelined by doctors and
am unable to attend the launching today of Operation Tennis.
As you know, I have been involved in the project since its
very beginning and it is most encouraging to know that from
today action will move from around the table on to the tennis
courts. The initiative represents a significant attempt by the Government,
Custom Credit, the John Newcombe and Tony Roche to
reassert Australia's tennis supremacy. I believe that sport is
important to all Australians. So is achievment.
It has been a source of concern to many Australians for some
time now that our once seemingly bottomless pit of tennis
players, guided by great men like Harry Hopman, have suddenly
dried up. This special pilot scheme aims to redress this position.
Talent identification at national level whether in sport,
scholarship or the arts is a difficult but important goal.
Talent identification and the realisation of potential is what
this scheme is all about.
All young Australians now have a chance, that for some time has
been denied to them, to join the list of illustrious men and
women players of the past.
I am excited by this prospect and shall take an active interest
in the continuing development of Operation Tennis. I look
forward to meeting its first champion.
' The initiative of the Government's Sport and Recreation Department..
and its Minister, Mr. Ellicott, have been of great help in
getting the scheme off the ground.
With Custom Credit and the Lawn Tennis Association of Australia
we have organisations whose dedication to tennis development is
already proven. I commend them on their sponsorship.
I congratulate John Newcombe and Tony Roche in New South Wales,
Ashley Cooper in Queensland and Alan Stone in Victoria not only
for the pleasure that they and other Australian men and women have
given us on the tennis courts of the world but also for now
agreeing to pass on their knowledge and enthusiasmp,. through this
project, to tomorrow's champions. 2
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This is the spirit and the sense of challenge that we must
capture in all Australians in the
I know it will bring new achievements in the Australian tennis
world and I join with all Australians in wishing you early
success. z 7