My name is Tristan Stock and since the time I could walk, I have had a bat and ball in my hands. After participating in numerous sports at a high level when I was younger, I decided to put all my focus on the sport I was most passionate about - Tennis.

I am currently in Grade 12 at Corinda State High School and captain of the Tennis Excellence Program. I am also part of the Elite Athletes program at school which provides individual athletes like myself with the support and flexibility to pursue our sporting commitments and dreams in partnership with our education. In junior school I was sports captain. Next year my goal is to secure a scholarship to go to the United States of America to be a student athlete and continue to try and fulfil my dreams of being a professional tennis player and take my passion to the next level. I am currently registered with an agent to help me apply for a scholarship and within the next few months will hopefully be having interviews with potential colleges.

For the last 3 years I have represented the Eastern Taipans in the Metropolitan West Team at Queensland Representative School Sport State Championships. I have travelled to Caloundra and Townsville in previous years for this event. Fortunately, this year was in Brisbane at the University of Queensland. I was selected as captain of the team, finished in the top 4 out of 64 players from throughout Queensland in the individual competition and received a silver medal in the boys’ team’s event. 

I have been selected for the Queensland State Team for the second year in a row and will need to travel to Tasmania for 9 days in May for the Australian School Sport National Championships. In 2023, Nationals was held in Canberra, where I finished in the top 16 and the Queensland team finished 3rd. Last year having to travel to States and Nationals cost my family around $8 000. This year we are looking at close to $5 000 for Nationals which includes Flights, accommodation, car-hire, entry fees, uniform and meals. In the current economic climate, having this extra expense on top of school fees, weekly costs for private and squad training and all the normal daily expenses a family have, we are certainly feeling the financial strain. Tennis is unfortunately one of the most expensive sports to play, and the costs are endless. In my spare time, I mentor and coach younger children in the hope that they enjoy playing the game as much as I do and improve their skill for the next generation of passionate players.

This year, to help my parents with these costs, I would like to reach out to this wonderful community and ask if you would be in the situation and willing to donate to help me travel to Tasmania. No matter how big or small, or even just wise words of encouragement you could contribute, would be greatly appreciated by myself and my parents.

I would like to thank you for reading my story and wish you and your families all the best for the future.

Warm regards

Tristan