IC AUSTRALIA

CLUB FUNDRAISING FOR SPORTING PURPOSES and PLAYER SUPPORT

 “BEYOND THE TOUR”

Background

The International Lawn Tennis Club is a worldwide former player organisation that started in 1929, and now operates in 42 countries around the world under the umbrella of the IC Council. The purpose of the Club is to promote friendship, sportsmanship, generosity and goodwill through tennis, enriching the lives of the professional tennis alumni.

The IC of Australia (ICA) is the Australian chapter, a community of current and former ranked players, teaming up with other significant contributors to tennis here and overseas to accentuate and build on all the positives the game offers.

Our Patron is tennis legend Frank Sedgman, our President is former player and sports commentator Kerryn Pratt and Vice President is Grand Slam champion Scott Draper. 

In recent years, philanthropy has become an important way for the IC movement to bring tennis players together around the world, promoting life skills through tennis.

As part of our commitment to philanthropic endeavours, the IC Australia is seeking to create a support program for players, with a focus on those ending their tennis careers.

The ‘Beyond the Tour’ initiative is a social safety net and life skills program providing mentoring, networking and appropriate forms of support during a player’s transition to life after professional tennis, a time that can be challenging both emotionally and practically.

Anecdotal reports and recent studies suggest there are many issues facing athletes when they quit their sporting careers, and tennis is no exception.

As Australia’s only player alumni group, the ICA is reaching out to current and retiring players, especially those who may be struggling to find their way or are in general need of guidance to navigate the challenges of career transition.

Initial Program Goals - Tennis Connections for Life

The primary goal is to connect the current player cohort and those recently retired from professional tennis with relevant members of our alumni group and their network, who have experience in the tennis industry, general business or wider working world.

The IC can assist retired players to connect with appropriate jobs, skills, training and support during what can be a difficult transition time and help identify and address any wellbeing or mental health issues individuals may have.

We aim to help broaden the retiring players network, promote career opportunities and assist with personal development choices and quite simply, give former players someone to talk to who understands their situation. 

This focus on recently retired players does not preclude us from assisting, where appropriate, others in our wider former player community, through the IC Helping Hand Program and fund raising.

We offer a sense of ‘belonging’ to an ongoing tennis player community, a connection for life.

Program Information

Players and those recently retired can be matched with Mentors based on specific criteria as agreed by both parties and the IC Australia. The aim is to provide insights, advice, referrals and practical assistance in some or all of the following areas:

• Life and Business Skills
• Career and Personal Development
• Job Seeking Skills
• Financial literacy
• Networking and Support
• Wellbeing and mental health

The IC Australia aims to enrich the lives of current and former players and fill the role of a caring ‘tennis family’.

Through ICA's fundraising partnership with the Sports Foundation, donations to 'Beyond the Tour' programs are tax deductible. Please show your support by donating today.

IC Australia contacts: 

President -Kerryn Pratt 

Vice President - Scott Draper

Secretary - Mandy Morgan 

Treasurer - Noel Jensen

internationalclubaustralia@gmail.com 

beyondthetour.com.au