SYDNEY AUSTRALIA – This Sunday, October 22nd, 2023, RALLY4EVER and Mood Active are coming together to host a unique tennis charity fundraiser at the Eastern Suburbs Tennis Club in Coogee. The event aims to raise awareness about mental health and build stronger community connections.
This initiative is a testament to the power of sport and community in fostering positive mental health. The event will kick off at 12 noon, with eight teams, including celebrities and professional tennis players, engaging in a friendly yet competitive tennis rally.
Two notable guests, former US Open champion and world No. 1 doubles tennis player Sam Stosur, and former international tennis and golf player, Scott Draper, will join the teams for an exciting day of tennis. The event will also feature the presence of celebrity Chef Matt Moran, adding a dash of culinary delight to the proceedings.
In recognition of Mental Health Month in New South Wales, RALLY4EVER and Mood Active are joining forces to emphasize the significance of supporting individuals with mental health challenges and forging meaningful community bonds.
According to statistics, nearly half of all adult Australians will encounter mental health issues at some point in their lives, with loneliness equating to smoking 15 cigarettes a day in terms of health impact. In conjunction with the tennis rally, there will be a FREE kids' tennis festival held at the Coogee Beach Club (Coogee Bowling Club), located next to the Eastern Suburbs Tennis Club.
The event will feature Tennis NSW's Hots Shots Tennis program, allowing children of all ages to learn and participate in exciting tennis games. Attendees can also vie for free United Cup tickets. The kids' tennis festival will commence at 12:30 and continue until 3 pm, offering great food, music, and a festive atmosphere for parents to watch their kids enjoy the sport.
RALLY4EVER's inception in 2019 was inspired by an encounter between WTA commentator and former professional tennis player Louise Pleming and a homeless man named Brian. They bonded over their shared love for tennis, and this connection laid the foundation for RALLY4EVER. The organisation's mission is to support individuals through tennis and exercise, providing a safe and inclusive space for fun and social interaction.
Pleming emphasises, "We are breaking down barriers and connecting everyone in our community through the wonderful game of tennis."
Mood Active shares a vision of promoting mental health through exercise. The organization empowers individuals to manage their mental health by offering exercise programs, with the goal of increasing the prescription of exercise as a treatment for depression and anxiety by healthcare professionals.
Louise Pleming, the Founder of RALLY4EVER, sums up the mission of the organization by saying, "As a community-based organization, we believe, regardless of life circumstances, background or belief, every individual matters, and we exist to improve the lives and wellbeing of others, by showing them that change is possible."
