Tennis racquets gathering dust in closets and garages around Australia beware as Second Serve, a Medibank initiative that collects and distributes pre-loved tennis racquets to encourage kids in need to be more physically active, was today launched by rising tennis star Thanasi Kokkinakis.
Pre-loved tennis racquets can be donated to Medibank stores until February 2016.
Thanasi Kokkinakis, Medibank Second Serve ambassador said, “Second Serve is all about passing down a racquet you don't use anymore to a kid who needs it.
“We all start somewhere, and Second Serve means kids who might not otherwise have the chance, get to go out and have a hit.
“I’ve handed over my French Open racquet, which helped me win an epic battle against (Bernard) Tomic in our second-round clash in Paris, and I urge you to do the same with your old racquet, no matter its story.”
Fiona Le Brocq, Medibank General Manager Brand and Marketing, said Medibank hopes the collection of regifted racquets will encourage kids who need a helping hand to have a go at tennis.
“We want to support tennis at all levels, get more children active and encourage a new generation of tennis players. Second Serve is a fantastic initiative to extend our tennis footprint beyond our partnership with Australian Open and get racquets in to the hands of hundreds of kids in Australia.
“We are committed to helping Aussies take steps towards better health, and urge people to dust off their pre-loved racquets and drop them into a Medibank store” Le Brocq said.
Medibank has partnered with Tennis Australia’s initiative Tennis Cares to distribute the racquets to children in need nationally in February 2016.
Medibank Second Serve is giving people the chance to win a trip to the 2016 Australian Open women's and men's final.
To enter, share your old racquet’s story via #SecondServe on Instagram or Facebook and drop it into a Medibank store before 11 December 2015. Visit medibank.com.au/secondserve to find out more.