Medibank is proud to announce its sponsorship of the Medibank Junior Development Series. The national program, which is a Tennis Australia initiative, comprises a number of tournaments conducted around Australia for beginner to intermediate players aged 10 - 14 years old.
The program's ambassador is rising tennis star Bernard Tomic, the youngest player and only teenager in the world's top 40, and whose recent achievements include reaching the fourth round of the Australian Open, the semifinals of the Brisbane International and winning the AAMI Kooyong Classic. As a player who picked up his first racquet at the age of seven, Tomic is perfectly suited to an initiative which enables young Australian tennis talents to hone their skills on the court.
Having sponsored Junior Tennis NSW for the past four years, this year sees Medibank extending its involvement in the program to a national level. The agreement is for three years and will see 280 tournaments held across the country per year.
George Savvides, Medibank Managing Director, said, "We are really excited to be deepening our involvement in the Junior Development Series. As Bernard Tomic's recent success has shown, Australia has the ability to create great tennis talent. However, that talent needs to be nurtured and supported, which is why the JDS is such a fantastic program."
Steve Wood, CEO of Tennis Australia, said, "We're excited to have Medibank on board for the national Junior Development Series. Medibank's desire to promote better health fits well with the JDS and we look forward to working with them to raise Australia's future tennis champions."
Tennis is close to the heart of Medibank, as the organisation also sponsored the Australian Open 2012 and has been involved in the Sydney International for the past eight years. As a sport which is social and promotes a healthy and active lifestyle to all Australians, it perfectly encompasses Medibank's message of For Better Health.