0708 - Australian Sports Commission

Making Australia 

the greatest 

tennis nation 

on the planet 

Tennis Australia 2007–2008 Annual Report

Previous Australian 

Tennis Hall of Fame 

Inductees include: 

Australian Tennis 

Hall of Fame 

The Australian Tennis Hall of Fame 

was established in 1993 and induction 

Fraser honoured 

in Paris 

2006 

Daphne Akhurst 

2002 

Mervyn Rose, Thelma 

(Coyne) Long 

1997 

Fred Stolle, 

Jack Crawford, 

Gerald Patterson 

1994 

Roy Emerson, Evonne 

(Goolagong) Cawley, 

Neale Fraser 

1993 

Rod Laver and 

Margaret (Smith) Court 

takes place at Rod Laver Arena on Australia 

Day (26 January) each year during the 

Australian tennis great Neale Fraser 

was awarded the International 

Tennis Federation’s highest honour, 

the Philippe Chatrier Award, at 

the ITF World Champions’ Dinner 

in Paris on 3 June 2008 during the 

French Open. 

Australian Open. Induction is recognised 

by a bronze bust which is later displayed 

2003 

Pat Cash 

1998 

John Newcombe, Tony 

Roche, Lesley (Turner) 

Bowrey, Adrian Quist 

in Garden Square at Melbourne Park. 

The award recognises Fraser’s 

outstanding achievements in 

the game of tennis where he has 

excelled as a player, coach, captain 

and administrator. 

Pat Rafter joined the exclusive club 

in a ceremony on Australia Day 

during Australian Open 2008. 

He is only the third Australian, 

with Margaret (Smith) Court and 

Rod Laver also, to win the award. 

2007 

Mark Edmondson 

Other Philippe Chatrier award 

recipients include international 

tennis greats Billie Jean King, Stefan 

Edberg, Jack Kramer, Tony Trabert, 

Yannick Noah and Chris Evert. 

1999 

Australia inducted into 

the International Tennis 

Hall of Fame 

Fraser’s record is unlike any other, 

including 19 Grand Slam titles, 

a Wimbledon trophy and two 

US Open titles. He is also just one 

of eight men to have won all four 

Grand Slam doubles titles and was 

inducted into the International 

Tennis Hall of Fame in 1984. 

2004 

Brian Tobin 

(first administrator 

to be inducted) 

2000 

Ken McGregor 

1995 

Lew Hoad, Ken Rosewall 

2008 

Pat Rafter 

His role in Australia’s Davis Cup 

history has grown from player, to 

captain, to ambassador. He made his 

debut in the 1958 final against the 

US and lifted the trophy 11 times. 

He was a winning captain four times 

after succeeding Harry Hopman in 

1970 and held the position for 24 

years, becoming the competition’s 

longest serving captain. 

1996 

Frank Sedgman, John 

Bromwich, Sir Norman 

Brookes, Ashley Cooper, 

Harry Hopman 

2005 

No induction 

– Australian Open 

Centenary 

2001 

Mal Anderson, Nancye 

(Wynne) Bolton 

Since 1993 Fraser has served 

as a member of the Davis Cup 

Committee. He was also honoured 

as a Centenary Ambassador 

for Davis Cup and was the 

first recipient of the ITF and 

International Hall of Fame’s 

Davis Cup Award of Excellence.

Credits 

Contents 

Inner cover Our Hall of Fame recipients and Neale Fraser’s honour 

1 About Tennis Australia and our Annual Report 

2 The Purpose Pyramid 

4 Key moments and awards 

6 Tennis Australia snapshot – a progress report 

11 Senior Management reports 

12 President’s report – Geoff Pollard 

16 Chief Executive Officer’s report – Steve Wood 

22 Finance, Legal and Administration report – David Roberts 

24 Marketing, Media and e-Communications report – Digby Nancarrow 

26 Commercial report – John Clark 

28 Human Resources report – Raelene Turner 

30 Tennis and Australian Open report – Craig Tiley 

34 Operations report – Sarah Clements 

36 Information Technology report – Chris Yates 

38 Tennis Australia’s historical timeline 

39 Tennis Australia Governance 

40 Corporate Governance statement 

43 Tennis Australia Board 

44 Office Bearers, Life Members, Service Awards and Committees 

The Annual Report’s business unit sections are colour-coded with corresponding tabs to ease navigation. 

45 Finance, Legal and Administration business unit 

50 Risk management 

51 Marketing, Media and e-Communications business unit 

57 Commercial business unit 

61 Sponsor acknowledgements 

63 Human Resources business unit 

68 Our team – staff photos Six-page fold-out section 

70 Organisational structure 

73 Australian Open 2008 

77 Tennis business unit 

83 Sustainability and the environment 

87 Operations business unit 

93 Information Technology business unit 

99 Financial section 

126 Index 

Inside back cover Glossary 

Back cover Key contacts 

Managing Editor: Kim Trengove Editor: Daniela Toleski Contributors: Rob O’Gorman, Darren Pearce 

Design and production: room44.com.au, Lisa Minichiello and Dean Gorissen 

Photography: Getty Images, Mark Dadswell, Tennis Australia 

Print: Highway Press, Tim Smith 

Fold-out cover for Australian Tennis Hall of Fame Inductees

About Tennis Australia 

and our Annual Report 

The Australian Open 

is Tennis Australia’s 

marquee event. 

0708 

About Tennis Australia 

Tennis Australia (TA) is the governing body of tennis within Australia. The Company was 

established by the Victorian, New South Wales, Queensland, Western Australia, South 

Australia and Tasmanian Tennis Associations and the New Zealand Lawn Tennis Association 

in late 1904 to allow for the staging of the first Australasian Men’s Championships in 1905. 

Today TA has eight Member Associations (MAs) – state/territory–based governing bodies 

responsible for implementing TA initiatives. 

In 2005 TA celebrated its centenary, and that of its first event – the Australian Open (AO). 

During more than a century of history TA has developed into a AUD$100 million business 

operating as a one-team Company with a nine-person Board of Directors, 14 Member 

Delegates (representing the MAs), 145 full-time employees and several thousand casual 

employees. p66, 70 

Melbourne Park is the home of TA and the AO. The venue is situated along the Yarra River on 

Batman Ave and has 22 outdoor courts including three show courts and seven indoor courts. 

The Company’s responsibilities include promoting and facilitating participation in tennis 

at all levels, staging tennis events including the AO, developing future stars, growing 

business revenues and honouring the sport’s heritage. These responsibilities are refl ected 

in TA’s Purpose Pyramid. p2 

Tennis on top 

The latest Sweeney Sports Report, which among other things conducts a multi-faceted 

measure of the Australian public’s interest in sport, has placed tennis at number one. 

The survey period was from October 2007 to April 2008 and tennis topped the poll for 

the second survey in a row, ahead of swimming, cricket, Australian Rules, soccer and 

other sports. p18 

Introducing the TA 2007–2008 Annual Report 

The financial year 2007–2008 saw the restructure of the Company’s focus and strategic 

priorities with the overall purpose for TA refined to ‘Making Australia the greatest tennis 

nation on the planet.’ p2 

This year’s report will feature some of the staff comments submitted during an employee 

communications session on 13 March 2008. These will be identified through the ‘post-it 

note’ image shown below. Based on Our Formula for Success in the Purpose Pyramid, p2 

the comments show how staff will endeavour to work to this paradigm to achieve the 

Company’s overall objective. 

The ‘Half Canadian’ cover allows readers to open the report out fl at and can be folded to 

reveal our past champions as they have been honoured through the Australian Tennis Hall 

of Fame. This section will also highlight the highest international honour – the Philippe 

Chatrier Award – bestowed on Australian great Neale Fraser. 

The TA 2007–2008 Annual Report is a concise summary of the Company’s performance 

and aims to provide ease of navigation between the various business units. 

Look out 

for the 

new staff 

comments. 

About Tennis Australia and our Annual Report 

1

The Purpose Pyramid 

2 

In late February 2008, Tennis Australia’s (TA’s) Senior Management Team (SMT) 

took part in a building for growth – vision, values and strategy – workshop 

during which they reviewed the Company’s strategic direction. 

Following an in-depth discussion, the SMT defined the overall 

purpose of the Company to be ‘Making Australia the greatest 

tennis nation on the planet’. They refined the Company’s 

direction into five strategic priorities which are clearly 

defined to take TA to the next level. 

The Wonderful World of Tennis Presents Tennis Australia 2007–2008 Annual Report 

Why 

we 

exist 

What we do 

How we work 

Immediate Priorities

Our Purpose 

Making Australia 

the greatest tennis 

nation on the planet 

Our Formula for Success 

Great champions> Create champions 

– the mark of a great tennis nation. 

More highly ranking players and more 

Grand Slam champions. 

Active players> Spread the love of tennis 

within the community. More people playing 

more tennis more often. 

Devoted fans> Build the buzz of tennis – supporters 

and potential players. More people attending more tennis 

events. More people engaging with tennis and tennis brands. 

Invest in the game> Build sustainable resources to invest in 

the growth of the game. More money to grow more fans, more 

players and more champions. 

Our Promise, Our Way 

Bringing a competitive edge> We are disciplined and aspire to be the best. 

Daring to be diff erent> We are not afraid to step forward and try new things. 

Creating magical experiences> We know how to entertain and have some fun. 

Celebrating greatness> Success breeds success. We celebrate greatness in our 

people, our partners and our champions past, present and future. 

Giving awesome service> We don’t settle for OK or average. 

Playing as a team> We listen, develop, include and coach each other. 

Our Strategic Priorities 

Champions> More champions and depth across all levels. 

Infrastructure> More and better national infrastructure. 

Grassroots> Building and delivering (more) eff ectively to the ‘grassroots’. 

Alignment> Getting the tennis community (internal and external to Tennis Australia) aligned behind 

our Purpose Pyramid to make the image of tennis in Australia more relevant and compelling. 

EventsCo> Running bigger, better and more tennis events. 

The Purpose Pyramid 

3

Key moments and awards 

4 

8 


dates Key moments 

3 4 5 

1 2 

6 7 

7 July 2007 Australian Davis Cup player Peter Luczak marries Katarina Queckfeldt. (See 4 above) 

15 July 2007 Optus Australian Fed Cup team loses to Ukraine 1-4 on the Gold Coast. 

18 July 2007 Lleyton Hewitt announces Tony Roche as his coach. (See 2 above) 

19 July 2007 Tennis Australia (TA), in conjunction with Australian Turkish Business and Industry (ATBI), 

announces a new international junior tournament – the inaugural Gallipoli Youth Cup 

– to be held at Melbourne Park. 

11 August 2007 The Optus Australian 14/u World Junior Tennis Team wins the final in Prostejov, Czech 

Republic, for the first time. 

30 August 2007 Four Aviva Ballkids are chosen from Delhi, India, to participate at Australian Open (AO) 2008. 

1 September 2007 AO Tournament Director Craig Tiley marries long-time partner Ali in Chicago. 

(See 5 above) 

24 September 2007 Optus Australian Davis Cup team loses to Serbia 1-4 in Belgrade forcing Australia out 

of the elite World Group. 

1 October 2007 Both the Optus Australian Junior Davis and Fed Cup teams win their respective Cups, 

with the boys defeating Argentina 2-0, and the girls winning over Poland 2-1. 

(See 3 above and 13 right) 

2 October 2007 TA launches Where the World Comes to Play tennis campaign for AO 2008. 

2 October 2007 The largest prize pool in the tournament’s history announced for AO 2008 

– AUD$20.6 million. 

2 October 2007 New blue Plexicushion surface unveiled at Rod Laver Arena. (See 1 above) 

17 October 2007 Scott Tanner and Chris Freeman join the TA Board. 

26 October 2007 Queensland wins the Bruce Cup, the prestigious national teams’ event for primary 

school children, for the 16th time since 1969. 

9 December 2007 Bernard Tomic wins his third consecutive title at the prestigious Orange Bowl, Florida. 

The Wonderful World of Tennis Presents Tennis Australia 2007–2008 Annual Report

9 

13 

10 11 12 

23 December 2007 Australian Nathan Healey marries American Marnie Heller in Avoca, NSW. 

14 January 2008 Redevelopment of the player restaurant for AO 2009 announced. 

15 January 2008 Former Australian No.1 Nicole Pratt announces her retirement. (See 12 above) 

17 January 2008 The highest ever Grand Slam day/night combined attendance achieved, with 62,885 

fans through the gates. (See 9 above) 

20 January 2008 Casey Dellacqua reaches the fourth round of the AO with wins over No.15 seed Patty 

Schnyder and former AO champion No.18 Amelie Mauresmo. 

26 January 2008 Kia Motors Corporation extends its multi-million dollar sponsorship of the 

AO as major sponsor until 2013. 

26 January 2008 Bernard Tomic wins AO junior boys’ singles title, while Jessica Moore is a finalist at the AO 

junior girls’ event. (See 8 left) 

13 April 2008 Optus Australian Davis Cup team beats Thailand 5-0 and met Chile in the World Group 

play-off on clay in September 2008. 

18 April 2008 Australian team of Luke Saville (SA), Jack Schipanski (SA) and Jordon Thompson (NSW) 

qualify for the World Junior Tennis final held in Czech Republic in August. 

2 May 2008 James Duckworth (NSW), Maverick Banes (Qld) and Jarryd Chaplin (NSW) qualify for 

the Junior Davis Cup final held in Mexico in September. 

17 May 2008 TA announces the women’s final at AO 2009 will be played at night. 

7 June 2008 Casey Dellacqua is a finalist with Francesca Schiavone (ITA) in the women’s doubles 

at the French Open. (See 10 above) 

10 June 2008 Casey Dellacqua breaks into the top 50, with a career-high singles ranking of No.41 

after her eff orts at Roland Garros. Inside back cover 

21 June 2008 Popular Canberra tennis player Alun Jones retires. (See 7 left) 

23 June 2008 Brydan Klein claims his fourth professional singles title, winning the Futures tournament 

in Belarus. (See 11 above) 

Awards and honours 

18 January 2008 John Whittaker, Judy Dalton and Alan Trengove presented with TA Awards 

for Service to the Game. 

26 January 2008 Pat Rafter inducted in the Australian Tennis Hall of Fame on Australia Day 

at Rod Laver Arena. 

18 February 2008 The 2007 inaugural Pro Circuit event in Kalgoorlie wins ‘Event of the Year’ in the 

Goldfields region. 

3 June 2008 Neale Fraser receives top honour – the Philippe Chatrier Award – at the ITF World 

Champions’ dinner in Paris. Fold-out cover 

3 June 2008 The 1950 Australian Davis Cup team receives the Team Sport Australian Award 

and its members are inducted into the Sport Australia Hall of Fame. 

5 June 2008 TA presented with third consecutive gold award at the Australasian Reporting 

Awards dinner. 

12 June 2008 Ken Rosewall AM, MBE recognised with an ITF Award for Service to the Game. (See 6 left) 

Key moments and awards 

5

Tennis Australia snapshot 

– a progress report 

1 

0708 Tennis 

Champions 

Infrastructure 

Grassroots 

Alignment 

EventsCo 

2 

6 The Wonderful World of Tennis Presents Tennis Australia 2007–2008 Annual Report 

Australia’s Strategic Priorities 

The following table provides a quick reference point to Tennis 

Australia’s (TA’s) activities for the financial year. It details key 

TA initiatives and objectives and is broken down according to 

business unit. Page references are provided where you can find 

additional information on each activity. 

Each initiative/objective also features a symbol that represents 

the Strategic Priorities it corresponds to. 

More champions and depth across all levels. 

More and better national infrastructure. 

Building and delivering (more) eff ectively to the ‘grassroots’. 

Getting the tennis community (internal and external to 

Tennis Australia) aligned behind our Purpose Pyramid to make 

the image of tennis in Australia more relevant and compelling. 

Running bigger, better and more tennis events. 

Captions 

1. Aviva Tennis Hot Shot participants run onto Margaret Court Arena. 

2. Construction at the State Tennis Centre, Tennyson. 

3. Bernard Tomic stretches for the ball during AO 2008. 

3


Business unit 

Objective 

2007–2008 

Strategic 

Priority 

FINANCE, LEGAL AND ADMINISTRATION 

Improve shared 

financial services 

with Member 

Associations 

(MAs). Alignment 

Protect and 

maintain the 

integrity of tennis. 

Simplify and 

streamline the 

procurement 

process. 

Improve reporting 

system to Board 

of Directors. 




MARKETING, MEDIA AND e-COMMUNICATIONS 

Reignite AO 

brand. 

Activate 

and promote 

brand Tennis. 

Build AO’s 

position as the 

Grand Slam of 

Asia/Pacific. 

Make the image of 

tennis in Australia 

more compelling. 

EventsCo 

Grassroots 

EventsCo 

EventsCo 

Activity Progress NEXT STEPS 2008–2009 

Microsoft Dynamics Great 

Plains system introduced 

to all eight MAs and 

Meridian payroll system 

into three MAs. 

Developed an 

Anti-Corruption Policy 

and Program, which 

was implemented at 

Australian Open (AO) 2008. 

Introduced new 

procurement guidelines 

including an online 

purchase order approval 

system. 

Implemented new 

‘dashboard’ style reporting 

system with more concise, 

relevant and accurate 

information. 

True Blue colour used 

to transform Melbourne 

Park courts, signage 

and artwork. 

Communication tools such 

as posters, emails, brochures 

provided for individual 

programs, for example, 

Tennis Talent Search. 

Launched first live site 

in Shanghai for AO 2008. 

Introduced fan 

commenting on 

australianopen.com. 

Ongoing Continue shared 

services initiative 

and migrate other MAs 

accounting function to 

Tennis Australia (TA). 

Complete Implement the Anti- 

Corruption Program 

at AO 2009 subject 

to any international 

developments. 

Complete Ongoing review 

of procurement 

procedures. 

Complete Develop a web portal 

for Board Reporting. 

Complete Provide additional 

entertainment at AO 

and AO Series events. 

Ongoing Ensure consistent 

approach to all 

marketing campaigns. 

Complete Conduct major 

marketing campaigns 

across Asia. 

Complete Produce player 

websites. 

Redevelop 

tennis.com.au. 

continued over 

More 

information 

p23 

p48 

p23,47 

p23,47 

p53 

p54 

p54 

p55 


7

Tennis Australia snapshot continued 

Business unit 

COMMERCIAL 

Objective 

2007–2008 

Develop 10 

sponsorship 

renewal 

proposals. 

Conduct 

corporate client 

market research. 

Review ticket 

package sales. 

Strategy for 

renewal of host 

broadcast rights. 

Strategic 

Priority 

EventsCo 

EventsCo 

EventsCo 

Grassroots 

EventsCo 

HUMAN RESOURCES 

Ensure the Tennis 

Australia team 

is engaged and 

aligned behind the 

Purpose Pyramid. Alignment 

Establish an online 

employee selfservice 

system. 

Empower Tennis 

Australia leaders. 

Focus on 

improved safety 

for employees. 


Alignment 

Alignment 



Re-signed nine out of 

10 sponsorship contracts. 

Quantum Market Research 

was commissioned to 

find out what corporate 

clients valued. 

AO 2008 attracts a record 

605,735 spectators. 

Re-signed Seven Network 

until 2014. 

Improved communication 

across the Company. 

ConnX installed in 

December–January 2008. 

Empowering our Leaders for 

Success program delivered 

to three groups. 

Appointment of a 

dedicated Safety Manager. 

Complete Develop a further 

six sponsorship 

renewal proposals. 

Complete Research used to guide 

new products/services 

for corporate clients at 

AO 2009. 

Complete A new range of ticket 

packages to be 

implemented for 

AO 2009 to break 

attendance record. 

Complete High definition and 

extra broadcast court 

coverage for AO 2009. 

Ongoing Continue to focus 

on this objective. 

Complete Implement ConnX 

to the Member 

Associations. 

Ongoing Continue to improve 

networking between 

employees. 

Complete Increase safety 

awareness, ownership 

and participation. 

More 

information 

p27, 58 

p60 

p59–60 

p27 

p29 

p65 

p29, 64, 67 

p66

Business unit 

Objective 

2007–2008 

AUSTRALIAN OPEN 

Implement 

Where the World 

Comes to Play 

campaign. 

TENNIS 

Implementation 

of new ticketing 

initiatives to break 

attendance record. 

Increase prize 

money 

Strategic 

Priority 

EventsCo 

EventsCo 

EventsCo 

Develop a 

successful 

national 

community 

program. Grassroots 

Deliver a 

successful 

National Coach 

Membership 

program. Champions 

Identify and 

provide 

opportunities for 

talented athletes. 

Improve the 

quality and 

sustainability of 

tennis facilities 

around the 

country. 

Maximise the 

quality and 

quantity of 

professional 

competitive 

opportunities. 

Champions 


Champions 


AO 2008 comprehensively 

themed. 

AO 2008 attracts a record 

605,735 fans through 

the gates. 

Prize money for AO 2008 

increased to AUD$20.6 

million. 

Re-launched Aviva Tennis 

Hot Shots program for 5–12 

year olds. 

Membership in this 

program went from zero to 

1637 members. 

Talent Search identified 

2706 kids. 

Over 250 courts were either 

resurfaced or constructed. 

Increased the number of 

competitive opportunities 

for athletes at senior and 

junior level. 

Complete Launch of 

The World’s Biggest 

Stage campaign 

for AO 2009. 

Complete Additional packages 

designed to align with 

the changing needs 

of customers. 

Complete Budget a seven per cent 

increase in AO prize 

money for 2009. 

Ongoing Increase the number 

of deliverers to 

the program. 

Ongoing Attract, develop and 

retain the best coaches. 

Ongoing Promote and grow 

the National Talent 

Search days. 

Ongoing Grow National Court 

Rebate Scheme. 

Ongoing Continue to off er 

the best competition 

environment to 

develop champions. 

More 

information 

p25, 53 

p27, 59 

p76 

p79 

p32, 80 

p80 

p33, 84 

p79 



9


Business unit 

OPERATIONS 

Objective 

2007–2008 

Deliver a 

revitalised AO. 

Create a Master 

AO Event 

Operating Plan. 

Manage 

international 

events. 

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY 

Establish shared 

IT and phone 

systems for TA 

and MAs. 

Introduce video 

line-calling at 

Vodafone Arena. 

Establish 

Player Practice 

Booking system. 

Strategic 

Priority 

EventsCo 

EventsCo 

EventsCo 


EventsCo 

EventsCo 



Implemented more than 

70 initiatives at AO 2008 

including new court surface 

and court colour. 

First draft of plan is 

completed and has been 

submitted for review. 

Coordinated all Davis Cup 

and Fed Cup home and 

away ties. 

TANTU project 

implemented in all MAs. 

Video line-calling used at 

Vodafone Arena during AO 

2008. 

Eff ective use of Player 

Practice Booking system 

during AO 2008. 

Complete More initiatives 

launched at AO 2009. 

Ongoing Review process of first 

draft to be undertaken 

before a final version is 

produced. Next step is 

to generate individual 

Master Event Operating 

Plans for each AO 

Series event. 

Complete Organise Australia’s 

international team 

events during 

the upcoming 

financial year. 

Complete Further technical 

support provided to 

the MAs with IT staff 

visiting each MA. 

Complete Continue to feature 

video line-calling at 

Rod Laver Arena and 

Hisense (formally 

Vodafone) Arena. 

Ongoing Continue to manage 

player practice 

bookings efficiently 

during AO 2009. 

More 

information 

p89 

p90 

p91 

p98 

p94–95 

p95 

Delivered a 

revitalised 

Australian Open. 

Serbian Novak Djokovic with the Norman 

Brookes Challenge Cup in the locker room 

after winning the AO 2008 men’s final.

Senior Management reports 

Tennis Australia’s President, Chief Executive Off icer 

and Senior Management Team report on the 

performance of the Company and their respective 

business units. 

President’s report – Geoff Pollard 12 

Chief Executive Off icer’s report – Steve Wood 16 

BUSINESS UNIT REPORTS 


Finance, Legal and Administration 

– David Roberts 

Marketing, Media and e-Communications 

22 

– Digby Nancarrow 24 

Commercial – John Clark 26 

Human Resources – Raelene Turner 28 

Tennis and Australian Open – Craig Tiley 30 

Operations – Sarah Clements 34 

Information Technology – Chris Yates 36 

Tennis Australia’s historical timeline 38 

Senior Management reports 

11

President’s report 

GEOFF POLLARD 

BIOGRAPHY 

AM, MSc, AIA, FAIM, FAICD 

President TA since 1989 

Non-executive Chairman TA 

since 2005 

CEO TA 1989–2005 

Councillor TA 1978–2006 

Honorary Consul, Belgium 

since 2007 

Vice President International 

Tennis Federation since 1999 

President Oceania Tennis 

Federation since 1993 

Director Grand Slam 

Committee since 1989 

Chairman ITF Rules of Tennis 

Committee and Technical 

Commission since 1989 

Trustee, Melbourne 

and Olympic Parks Trust 

since 1989 

President NSW Lawn Tennis 

Association 1979–1989 

Geoff Pollard was runner-up 

to John Newcombe in the 

1961 Australian Junior 

Championships and 

represented Australia in the 

Junior Davis Cup with Tony 

Roche in 1961–1962 and 

1962–1963. He is joint author 

of the text book Demographic 

Techniques and author of 15 

academic research papers. 

19 

YEARS WITH TA 

0708 Our marquee event, 

Australian Open 2008, 

Grand Slam of Asia/Pacific, 

continues to grow and establish 

many new records. 

12 The Wonderful World of Tennis Presents Tennis Australia 2007–2008 Annual Report

The Sweeney Sports Report again 

recorded that tennis held the 

highest level of interest within 

the Australian public. 

This Annual Report of Tennis Australia (TA) highlights the activities and achievements 

of the Company during the financial year 2007–2008. 

Corporate change continues 

At last year’s Annual General Meeting (AGM) in October 2007, the Members agreed to formally 

change the name of the Company from the historic Lawn Tennis Association of Australia Ltd 

to Tennis Australia Ltd, at that time just the trading name of the Company. 

Members also adopted a new Constitution, while the Board exercised its option under 

the Constitution to appoint two more independent Directors. This development not 

only strengthened the Board, but ensured that a majority of Directors (five of nine) were 

independent of any Member Association (MA) aff iliation. 

Further, at this year’s AGM, the majority of independent Directors will increase to six of 

nine. Members strongly believe that this satisfies all requirements of modern Corporate 

Governance, but under pressure from the Australian Sports Commission (ASC), the MAs 

have agreed to gradually progress by 2012 to a fully independent Board. 

Following the adoption of the new Constitution, the Board also revisited the By-laws 

and adopted a new set of By-laws. The Board also adopted Charters for itself and its 

various Committees. 

Consistent with our commitment to full disclosure, the TA Annual Report again received 

a gold award from the Australasian Reporting Awards. 

New Australian Open records 

Australia’s No.1 Casey Dellacqua. 

Our marquee event, Australian Open (AO) 2008, Grand Slam of Asia/Pacific, continues to grow 

and establish many new records, including an attendance increase of nine per cent to 605,735 

fans, the ninth consecutive year that attendance has exceeded half a million patrons. 

Once again the men’s singles produced a surprise finalist, Frenchman Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, whose 

explosive victories over No.9 Andy Murray, No.8 Richard Gasquet, No.14 Mikhail Youzhny and 

No.2 Rafael Nadal excited an adoring crowd. His dream run ended in the final against Serbian 

Novak Djokovic, who ended Swiss Roger Federer’s defence of the title in the semifinal. 

The women’s singles saw Maria Sharapova defeat No.11 Elena Dementieva, No.1 Justine Henin, 

No.3 Jelena Jankovic and finally No.4 Ana Ivanovic to score her first AO title, after being a 

finalist in 2007. 

TA’s David Roberts with the gold award from 

the Australasian Reporting Awards (ARA) 

for the 2006–2007 Annual Report. 

Lleyton Hewitt and Casey Dellacqua were 

Australia’s best performers, both reaching 

the round of 16. But hopes for future success 

emerged in the junior events where Bernard 

Tomic won the boys’ singles, following on from 

Brydan Klein’s success last year, and Jessica 

Moore was a finalist in the girls’ singles. 

Among the many initiatives for 2008 were 

the change of surface to Plexicushion, the 

change of colour to a distinctive AO blue 

and the introduction of video line-calling 

to Vodafone Arena in addition to Rod Laver 

Arena. The live sites in Shanghai, Sydney and 

Melbourne attracted 1,387,338 attendees. 

The off icial website powered by IBM recorded 

7,456,693 unique visitors. Host Broadcaster, 

Seven Network, dominated the Australian 

summer, while internationally the AO was 

broadcast for a record 6700 hours in 157 

countries, reaching 425.1 million households 

and potentially 1.9 billion viewers. 


President’s report 

13

President’s report continued 

Pat Rafter was inducted into the Australian Tennis Hall of Fame on Australia Day 2008. 

Exciting changes for 

Australian Open Series 

The AO Series consists of the ATP and WTA 

Tour tournaments in Sydney, Adelaide, 

Hobart and the Gold Coast that were played 

in the two weeks preceding the AO. The 

Medibank International Sydney was played 

at the Sydney Olympic Park Tennis Centre 

and the winners of the men’s and women’s 

singles were Russian Dmitry Tursunov and 

Belgian Justine Henin respectively. The 

Next Generation Adelaide International was 

played at Memorial Drive and the winner 

was France’s Michael Llodra. The Mondial 

Australian Women’s Hardcourts, which was 

played at Royal Pines Resort on the Gold 

Coast, was won by China’s Na Li. In Hobart, 

the Moorilla Hobart International women’s 

champion at the Domain Tennis Centre was 

Eleni Daniilidou of Greece. 

Special events played in Perth (Hopman Cup) 

and Melbourne (Kooyong Classic) are not part 

of the AO Series, which is restricted to ATP/ 

WTA Tour computer-ranking tournaments. 

As announced last year, and consistent with 

a growing trend worldwide to re-unite men’s 

and women’s tournaments, TA announced 

that the Adelaide (men’s) and Gold Coast 

(women’s) events will combine in 2009 and 

move to an exciting new tennis centre being 

constructed at Tennyson, Brisbane. 

Tennis SA has announced a special event 

to replace the Adelaide tournament in 2009. 

The ITF-owned Hopman Cup continues in 

Perth where the WA government plans to 

build a new venue. 


Development at Melbourne Park 

Pat’s performance 

and personality did 

much to stimulate 

interest in tennis 

in this country and 

wherever he played 

around the world. 

The National Tennis Centre at Melbourne Park was constructed by the Victorian Government 

primarily for the AO and secondarily as the Sports and Entertainment Centre for Melbourne. 

The AO is committed to Melbourne Park until 2016, by which time the venue will be 28 years 

old. Substantial extensions were undertaken in 1995 and again in 2000, but since then crowds 

have grown to over 600,000 and there are deficiencies in the venue that need to be addressed. 

The first of these was the courts themselves – the bases of many courts had outlived their 

anticipated lifetime and needed to be replaced. TA took the opportunity to also review the 

court surface and after extensive analysis resolved to change from Rebound Ace to another 

cushioned acrylic surface – Plexicushion. The courts’ surface colour also changed from green 

to a distinctive AO blue. 

At AO 2008, the Victorian Government, TA and Melbourne and Olympic Parks Trust (MOPT) 

announced an AUD$2 million study into proposed developments over the next few years 

and a related business plan that will ensure Melbourne Park remains a first class tennis centre 

capable of continuing to host the AO well beyond 2016. p91 

International teams 

The Optus Australian Davis Cup Team was defeated by Serbia in Belgrade in September 2007 

and was consequently relegated to the Asia/Oceania Zone Group 1 for 2008. Australia defeated 

Chinese Taipei away in February and Thailand at home in Townsville in April and play Chile 

in September to regain a position in the World Group for 2009. 

After losing a play-off against Ukraine at home on the Gold Coast in July 2007, the Optus 

Australian Fed Cup Team competed in the Asia/Oceania Zone Group 1 in Thailand in February 

2008. After three teams finished equal in their division following the round-robin stage, 

Australia missed the final on a count-back. Consequently, Australia will remain in the Asia/ 

Oceania Zone Group 1 for the 2009 competition. 

If the senior results were disappointing, the junior results were most encouraging. Australia 

won the Junior Davis Cup and the Junior Fed Cup finals, which are the 16/u group. Australia 

was also successful in the World Youth Cup for 14/u boys. 

Tennis activities 

The Sweeney Sports Report again recorded that tennis held the highest level of interest within 

the Australian public. This means that tennis has topped the survey for both the summer and 

winter round of interviews Australia-wide. p18 

TA continues to work with its Member Associations (MAs) to increase the number and range 

of national shared services initiatives. Great progress was made in Finance and IT services, 

while National Membership remains on the agenda. p81 

The new Talent Search program to identify talented athletes and steer them towards tennis 

was introduced to 2706 children under the age of 12 during 2008. At the more advanced level,

Tennis Australia continues to work with its 

Member Associations to increase the number 

and range of national shared services initiatives. 

National Academies (NAs) are now operating in five states and cover 63 partial scholarship 

holders and 11 full scholarships. The AIS Pro Tour Program is now fully incorporated in the 

TA Player Development Pathway and 15 men and nine women have full-time or part-time 

scholarships. p81 

TA introduced Coach Membership last year and at 30 June 2008 had 1637 members. The 

commitment to attract, develop and retain the best coaches globally continues and a wide range 

of Coach Education and Professional Development activities were implemented in 2007–2008. 

Competition opportunities remain the cornerstone for player development and TA has continued 

to develop ATP/WTA Pro Circuits, Australian Ranking Tournaments and ITF Junior Tournaments 

within Australia and to send our best juniors overseas for international competition. 

Finally, the Tennis business unit recognises the importance of building and delivering more 

eff ectively at ‘grassroots’ level through our MAs. The Aviva Tennis Hot Shots program was 

completely revamped during the year to incorporate a competitions element. TA is working 

with the ASC on the Indigenous Tennis Pathway and with Tennis Seniors Australia to arrange 

and grow the participation rates of players aged 35 and over. 

Financial standing 

The success of AO 2008 enabled the Company to grow revenue by 20 per cent with 

a commensurate growth in investment in the AO, AO Series, tennis development and tennis 

facilities through the National Court Rebate Scheme. However, the Company recorded 

a net deficit for the year of AUD$3,465,043 after taking into account a deterioration in the 

performance of the Company’s managed funds in the amount of AUD$5,508,276, which 

was in line with the general downturn in global financial markets. 

Election results 

At the AGM in October 2007 all members of the Board seeking re-election were re-appointed. 

The Board exercised its right under the Constitution to appoint two independent 

Directors and appointed Chris Freeman and Scott Tanner. The Board now has a majority 

of independent Directors. p43 

At the MA level, Stephen Healy replaced John Whittaker OAM, who retired as President 

of Tennis NSW after serving 17 years. Peter Armstrong replaced Ross Munro as President 

of Tennis Tasmania and Warren Martin replaced Sandra Smiles as President of Tennis NT. 

Honours and heritage 

Former world No.1, dual US Open Champion and Wimbledon finalist Pat Rafter was inducted 

into the Australian Tennis Hall of Fame on 26 January 2008 in a moving ceremony 

at Rod Laver Arena. Pat’s performance and personality did much to stimulate interest in 

tennis in this country and wherever he played around the world. The Australian Tennis Hall of 

Fame enables TA to recognise our heritage, which contributes substantially to the AO being 

recognised as one of the four Grand Slams. Fold-out cover 

At the ITF AGM in Moscow in June 2008 one of the greatest players of all-time and certainly 

the one whose career at the top spanned the longest time period, Ken Rosewall AM, MBE, 

was recognised with an ITF Award for Service to the Game. 

At home, TA recognised former Tennis NSW President John Whittaker OAM, former Wimbledon 

finalist and Fed Cup Foundation President, Judy Dalton, and author, journalist and founding 

editor of Australian Tennis Magazine, Alan Trengove, with the TA Award for Service to the Game. 

Challenges 

Globally, tennis continues to face challenges from other sports and activities and also 

from within the game. As the ATP and WTA Tour try to implement new tournament levels, 

new calendar dates and new player participation formulae from 2009, there are obviously 

winners and losers. 

For TA, the two greatest challenges are first to meet the ever increasing number of countries 

that compete at the highest level in international competition and, secondly, to ensure our 

showcase event, the AO, remains at the highest level as one of the four Grand Slams. 

The off icial Davis Cup draw is conducted 

at Reef HQ Aquarium in Townsville. 

Remembering 

It is with deep regret we record the passing 

of Libby Nicholl, wife of TA Vice President, 

Des Nicholl. Libby strongly supported Des 

through all his activities at TA and Tennis NSW 

and especially helped my wife Eleanor and 

me entertain guests at the AO and Davis Cup 

for the past 15 years. 

Thanks 

Finally, I would like to express my appreciation 

to our sponsors as listed on p61–62 and to 

all the Directors, MA representatives and to 

CEO Steve Wood, the Senior Management 

Team and all staff at TA and the MAs and the 

volunteers whose energy, enthusiasm and 

commitment to the game continue to drive 

TA forward to meet the many national and 

international challenges as the governing body 

of tennis in Australia. 

Geoff Pollard 

PRESIDENT AND CHAIRMAN 

President’s report continued 

15

Chief Executive Officer’s report 

STEVE WOOD 

BIOGRAPHY 

B.Bus Marketing 

CEO TA since 2005 

President Nortel Networks 

Australia and NZ 2001–2005 

Vice President Alteon 

WebSystems 1999–2001 

Vice President 

Nortel Networks Asia 

1997–1999 

Vice President Bay 

Networks 1995–1997 

Vice President Asia–Pacific 

SynOptics Communications 

Inc 1991–1995 

Steve was a professional 

tennis player from 1985–1987. 

His last pro match was at 

the Australian Open, held at 

Kooyong, where he lost after 

having led American Paul 

Annacone two sets to love. 

With doubles partner Mark 

Tulloch he was runner-up 

at the Victorian 19/u junior 

doubles final losing to Pat 

Cash and Mark Hartnett. 

Twenty years later, he bought 

one of the first corporate 

memberships to Kooyong. 

16 

YEARS WITH TA 

3 



We exist to deliver tennis all year round and 

to connect directly with the end consumers 

of tennis and strengthen their relationship 

to the game so that we can create more 

champions, get more active players and 

excite our devoted fans.

Devoted fans enjoy the AO in Garden Square, with ground pass ticket prices remaining the same. 

The strength of the Tennis and 

Australian Open brands led to a 25 per cent 

increase in merchandise sales 

on site in 2007–2008. 

In 2007–2008, Tennis Australia (TA) achieved revenue growth of 20 per cent with many 

sponsorship and broadcast contracts successfully negotiated and record attendance 

at the Australian Open (AO). This provided a solid platform to take further strides in 

achieving our purpose of making Australia the greatest tennis nation on the planet. 

Business success 

TA’s business success can be attributed to significant growth across our key revenue streams. 

A highlight of the year in Sponsorship was the re-signing and on-going partnership with our 

major AO sponsor, Kia Motors Corporation. We were pleased to see the renewals of nine key 

sponsors including Garnier, Tourism Victoria, Optus, Qantas, Evian, IBM, Coca-Cola and Heineken. 

We commenced a broadcast partnership with Eurosport and saw the recommitment of 

ESPN Star Sports and Fox Sports as well as a five-year extension with the Seven Network, our 

domestic rights-holder, host broadcaster and world feed provider. MasterCard replaced AMEX 

as the off icial card, Rolex joined as the off icial timekeeper and important new suppliers such as 

Nike came on board. The French apparel giant Lacoste, founded by tennis great Rene Lacoste, 

signed a multi-million dollar deal to provide more than 1150 uniforms for linespeople, off icials 

and Aviva Ballkids for AO 2009. 

We see the AO as a global super brand that will continue to target and attract other global 

super brands. The strength of the Tennis and AO brands led to a 25 per cent increase in 

merchandise sales on site in 2007–2008 and enabled us to license our range to Target 

department stores. 

The demand for AO tickets enabled increase in prices for our most in-demand sessions while 

price levels for ground passes remained the same to ensure we served the needs of our 

devoted fans. The expansion and successful delivery of our business targets in 2007 led to 

streamlining of our Marketing functions. Additional focus was placed on commercial activities 

with the creation of a new business unit. 

Business performance 

highlights 

• Defined the Company’s vision, values, 

purpose and strategy. 

• Contemporised the AO brand and 

delivered the greatest ever AO event. 

• The new Tennis brand gained more 

commitment from Member 

Associations (MAs) and key stakeholders. 

• Tennis became the number one sport of 

interest according to Sweeney research. 

• Delivered world class coach education and 

training programs and launched TA Coach 

Membership with more than 1600 members. 

• Player Development programs delivered 

National Academies in five capital cities. 

• Improved player results. 

• Community tennis programs led to 

better engagement in the community. 

• Professional tennis calendar became 

strategically aligned and controlled by TA. 

• 2007–2008 revenue increased to AUD$120 

million from AUD$100 million the year before. 

• 2008–2009 revenue predicted to exceed 

AUD$140 million. 

• The 2007–2008 budget delivered a AUD$8 

million increase directly into tennis programs. 

• Implemented new business and technology 

systems across TA and MAs. 

• Increased employee engagement 

with leadership development training. 

• TA’s governance reform continued with 

the TA Board to elect independent Directors. 


Chief Executive Off icer’s report 

17

Chief Executive Officer’s report continued 

% 

Swimming 

SPORT 

TENNIS 

Cricket – Outdoor 

Australian Rules 

Soccer 

Rugby League 

Rugby Union 

Motor Car Racing 

Cycling 

Gym Workout 

Athletics – Track & Field 

Bushwalking/Hiking 

Jogging/Running/Marathons/Fun Runs 

Motor Cycle Racing 

Fishing 

Basketball 

Netball 

Gymnastics 

Golf 

Boxing 

31 

30 

29 

27 

27 

27 

26 

25 

25 

24 

23 

21 

38 

35 

0 10 20 30 40 50 60 


42 

46 

57 

55 

53 

52 

Table 1.1 The Sweeney Sports Report shows how tennis has become the No.1 sport of interest for the first time since 2002. 

Tennis No.1 sport 

The 2007–2008 Sweeney Sports Report 

found tennis to be Australia’s most popular 

sport, beating our closest competitors for 

this mantle – swimming, cricket and Aussie 

Rules football. The survey also found tennis 

to be the most widely watched sport on TV 

(53 per cent) ahead of cricket and Aussie 

Rules football, both at 49 per cent. p53 

These results are a tribute to some bold 

marketing initiatives which saw the 

contemporisation of the Tennis and AO 

brands, and the transformation of the 

AO to a vibrant True Blue colour, with 

a complete resurfacing of 31 courts to 

the cushioned acrylic Plexicushion. This 

transformation was a resounding success 

and led to over AUD$3 million investment 

in tennis courts around Australia with the 

TA National Court Rebate Scheme. p84 

With 272 courts resurfaced in the past 12 

months, it appears Australian clubs are eager 

to adopt this state-of-the-art, environmentally 

sustainable court surface. 

Vision, values and purpose 

02 03 04 05 06 07 

CHANGE 

02–07 

55 60 55 52 56 57 +2 

59 62 59 61 57 55 -4 

57 56 55 54 59 53 -4 

52 54 55 54 56 52 - 

47 47 45 50 51 46 -1 

39 46 41 42 42 42 +3 

37 43 44 40 40 38 +1 

36 39 34 36 35 35 -1 

28 35 37 35 34 31 +3 

30 34 35 36 33 30 - 

31 35 34 32 28 29 -2 

30 32 37 36 29 27 -3 

31 31 36 33 32 27 -3 

26 27 23 23 24 27 +1 

30 32 31 31 29 26 -4 

33 33 33 26 26 25 -8 

27 27 28 25 23 25 -2 

28 29 30 33 25 24 -4 

36 36 36 30 31 23 -13 

22 24 23 22 22 21 -1 

Percentage of Australian population 

16 years and over who participated. 

At the conclusion of AO 2008, TA’s management team spent a significant amount of time 

refl ecting on the fundamental values of the Company. As we continue to grow our business, 

it has been necessary to reframe the type of Company that we will become in order to compete 

on the global stage. We are a sports, entertainment and media Company that markets and 

provides services globally. We operate in the highly competitive market for broadcast rights, 

sponsorship, corporate hospitality, ticket sales, merchandise and sports betting. 

The Strategic Plan outlines what we stand for, what our purpose is, our formula for success 

and our key strategic themes. p2–3 

We delivered the greatest ever 

AO in 2008 and the challenge for us is to 

make it even greater in 2009.

Our purpose is making Australia the greatest tennis nation on the planet. 

Our formula for success is> 

Great Champions 

Create champions: the mark of a great tennis nation. 

Active Players 

Spread the love of tennis within the community. 

Devoted Fans 

Build the buzz of tennis. 

Invest in the Game 

Build sustainable resources to invest 

in the growth of the game. 

We delivered the greatest ever AO in 2008 

and the challenge for us is to make it even 

greater in 2009. But our business is not all 

about the AO. We exist to deliver tennis all 

year round and to connect directly with the 

end consumers of tennis and strengthen 

their relationship to the game so that we 

can create more champions, get more active 

players and excite our devoted fans. 

Growing numbers 

TA’s employees grew to 145 full-time staff 

as we upgraded off ices and relocated large 

numbers of staff to make way for a new player 

restaurant, formerly the Garden Square Cafe. 

We have embarked on a comprehensive and 

rigorous Professional Development Review 

process, which is critical to the functioning 

of a successful business. I was delighted to 

take part as a mentor in our Empowering Our 

Leaders for Success program. p67 

Business services 

One of TA’s key strategies is to invest in the 

game and develop a shared services business 

model for our stakeholders who assist in 

serving customers. 

The business functions of Information 

Technology (IT), Human Resources (HR) 

and Finance and Legal underpin our shared 

services business model, helping the MAs 

leverage TA’s expertise and resources. 

For example, TA is now processing the bulk 

of financial transactions for the majority of the 

MAs and providing policies, procedures and 

programs in the important area of HR. We are 

also providing selected legal advice with our 

small but growing legal team. TA IT has linked 

MA off ices with one centralised voice and 

data network, which enables us to easily share 

information and communicate with each other. 

Past champions Margaret (Smith) Court and Rod Laver. 

TA published a picture book titled Blue to celebrate 

the greatest AO ever. 

One of TA’s key strategies is to invest in 

the game and develop a shared services 

business model for our stakeholders 

who assist in serving customers. 


Chief Executive Off icer’s report continued 

19

Chief Executive Officer’s report continued 

Nurturing our Grand Slam 

status 

TA has a strong partnership with the other 

Grand Slams – the French Open, Wimbledon 

and the US Open. They have shown a 

significant propensity to invest and redevelop 

their facilities and capabilities to handle 

increasing crowd numbers and strengthen 

their position in global sport. Australia must 

also invest to ensure our ability to host a Grand 

Slam event continues. 

Massive reconfiguration of TA’s leased off ice 

space at Melbourne Park began post AO 2008 to 

pave the way for an expanded player restaurant, 

as facility upgrades are a constant expectation 

of international superstars. If we are to attract 

the best, we must continue to be the best. As 

the popularity of the AO swells and we pass 

600,000 in attendance, we have looked for 

support from the State Government of Victoria 

to prepare the site for major redevelopment to 

ensure our Grand Slam status is maintained for 

many years to come. Together with the precinct 

managers, Melbourne and Olympic Parks 

Trust (MOPT), we are in the midst of a business 

case study, p91 the outcome of which will 

reveal what is required to be redeveloped first, 

costings and how we keep the facility to worldclass 

standards. 

EventsCo 


EventsCo is a new business unit formed in early 2008 to focus on raising the profile and 

profitability of the AO Series events in Brisbane, Sydney and Hobart. Our initial goal is to break 

even with these events and ultimately make a surplus. As the underwriter of these events, 

TA will drive business eff iciencies by using the expertise we have from running a Grand Slam 

tournament, the AO. 

These events will be operated with the same look and feel as the AO to ensure consistent 

delivery of our brands across the country, and will leverage opportunities in areas of sponsorship, 

ticketing and marketing from TA’s existing business. 

The newly created Brisbane International will be held for the first time in January 2009. The event 

brings together the former Next Generation Adelaide International for men with the Mondial 

Australian Women’s Hardcourts on the Gold Coast at one state-of-the-art AUD$77 million venue 

– the State Tennis Centre, Tennyson. Scheduled for completion by the end of 2008, the State 

Tennis Centre will feature all three Grand Slam tournament surfaces – grass, clay and hard court. 

Channelling funds back into tennis 

The Brisbane International will take place at a new state-of-the art venue – the State Tennis Centre, Tennyson. 

The TA management team derives much satisfaction knowing that we are investing directly 

into the heart of tennis thanks to our business performance, injecting funds into player 

development, talent identification and our National Academies. We are unwavering in our 

commitment to deliver the programs, the procedures and the policies that will achieve the 

results of excellence we strive for. 

We have seen exceptional progress in player development with Australia winning both the 

Junior Davis Cup and Junior Fed Cup finals. During the year we had 10 junior boys in the 

world’s top 100 and five in the top 20, including 15-year-old Bernard Tomic, who won the 

Australian Open Boys’ Junior Singles title. Jessica Moore was a finalist in the Australian Open 

Girls’ Singles and continues to be a stand-out prospect while Casey Dellacqua broke into the 

women’s top 40 and is now a household name. In the pro ranks, we have 16 players ranked 

in the top 250 – up from nine in 2004. 

EventsCo is a 

new business 

unit formed in 

early 2008 to 

focus on raising 

the profile of the 

AO Series events.

We won a third consecutive gold award for our 

Annual Report and tennis was named the number 

one sport of interest by Sweeney Sports research. 

Economic climate 

TA reserves were aff ected by the global economic downturn and, as market conditions 

became increasingly diff icult, led to an adverse aff ect on our business and overall Company 

performance. While handsome returns were made from investments in managed funds in 

2005–2006, these investments performed poorly in 2007–2008, as they did worldwide. 

The negative outcome of these investments has been a key contributor to the overall 

performance of the Company for 2007–2008. p15 

Highlights 

One of the highlights of the past year was delivering the greatest AO ever, with recordbreaking 

achievements across attendance, TV viewing and website visits. We won a third 

consecutive gold award for our Annual Report and tennis was named the number one sport 

of interest by Sweeney Sports research. We now have a better tournament and competitions 

calendar, a stronger and far-reaching high performance program and four world class events 

held in some of the best sports facilities in Australia. The progress we have made allows our 

sport to move forward with confidence. TA’s number one priority is to continue the growth 

of our business so that we can sustain investment back into the game and achieve the result 

of excellence we strive for. 

We are unwavering in our commitment to deliver 

the programs, the procedures and the policies that 

will achieve the results of excellence we strive for. 

Kia Motors Corporation re-signed as Major Sponsor of the AO until 2013. 

The winning 2007 Optus Australian Junior Davis Cup 

team (l to r:) Mark Verryth, Bernard Tomic, Alex Sanders 

and Peter Tramacchi (team captain). 

World class team 

In closing, I would like to thank everyone at 

TA who has helped build a world class team 

and contributed to our phenomenal growth. 

To TA President, Geoff Pollard, the Board of 

Directors, MAs, stakeholders, volunteers and 

the TA team – congratulations on a stunning 

12 months. We now have a truly integrated 

business, which is the AO event and Tennis 

– the sport – linked together and driving us 

towards becoming the greatest tennis nation 

on the planet. 

Steve Wood 

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER 

Chief Executive Off icer’s report continued 

21

Finance, Legal and Administration report 

DAVID ROBERTS 

BIOGRAPHY 

B.Bus, CPA 

Chief Financial Off icer TA 

since 1997 

Kraft Foods Ltd 

Group Treasurer, 1990–1994 

Co-founder, 

Direct Marketing Agency, 

Robe John Associates 1987 

David holds life membership 

at Melbourne’s Caulfield 

Cricket Club, with 35 years 

involvement as a player, 

Secretary and later, President. 

As a teenager he played bass 

guitar in a rock band and 

travelled around Europe 

in a VW Kombi van for 18 

months in 1976–1977 and 

the US and Canada for six 

months in 1980. 

22 

11 

YEARS WITH TA 



Our new ‘dashboard’ style reporting 

dramatically improved reporting to 

our Board of Directors, with 

information graphically presented 

against their targets.

Our team undertook a range of 

projects that contributed to the significant 

revenue growth of the Company 

and helped increase eff iciency in the 

delivery of our services. 

Tennis Australia’s (TA) Finance, Legal and Administration business unit is responsible 

for managing TA’s financial accounts and investment portfolio and implementing TA’s 

shared services program. The business unit also provides legal advice and assistance 

to protect the Company’s interests and minimise risk. 

Following IT’s expansion into a separate business unit, the Legal department merged with 

Finance and Administration to form a new business unit. Our business unit undertook 

a range of projects that contributed to the significant revenue growth of the Company 

and helped increase eff iciency in the delivery of our services. 

Improving shared services 

During the financial year, we continued to expand TA’s shared services initiative with the 

implementation of additional accounting, payroll and HR platforms across our Member 

Associations (MAs). The initiative included the roll-out of the Microsoft Dynamics Great Plains 

(MDGP) accounting system into all eight MAs and the Meridian payroll system into three MAs 

around Australia. Subsequently, the initiative was further enhanced by the consolidation of 

the accounting and payroll functions of four MAs into the TA off ice. With the introduction of 

these systems and the consolidation of administrative functions, eff iciency for TA and its MAs 

has been greatly enhanced and the business unit’s progression towards a stronger and more 

robust national finance infrastructure has been accelerated. p46 

Graphical dashboard reporting 

Our new ‘dashboard’ style reporting dramatically improved reporting to our Board of Directors, with 

information graphically presented against their targets. The reports deliver more concise, relevant 

and accurate information to Board Members, enhancing their ability to discharge their duties. p47 

Maintaining the integrity of tennis 

For Australian Open (AO) 2008, TA established an Anti-Corruption Program, the first of its 

kind to be implemented at a Grand Slam event. TA’s Legal department engaged external 

professional security consultant Calibre International, who assisted in the development of the 

program and assisted in administering the program. Key components of the program included 

the establishment of a hotline to report alleged incidents of corruption, sanctions for breaches 

of the policy, and the creation of an Anti-Corruption Commission. p48 

Investment strategy 

TA’s Investment Advisory Committee, which is a sub committee of the Board of Directors, met 

twice during the year to oversee the Company’s investment strategy. TA’s managed funds 

remain invested with the same three fund managers – UBS Wealth Management, Macquarie 

Private Portfolio Management and BT Financial Group. p15 

Legal department expansion 

The continued growth of TA’s business interests led to an increased demand for legal services 

across all business units within the Company. To meet this requirement, TA expanded its Legal 

The Anti-Corruption Program was in place for the first 

time at AO 2008. 

department with the appointment of an 

additional Legal Counsel and Legal Assistant 

in September 2008. 

Agreements and advice 

During the financial year, the Legal 

department provided legal advice to all 

business units and prepared a range of 

agreements. Our Legal team worked closely 

with the Commercial business unit to prepare 

and draft new commercial contracts with 

existing partners as well as new partnerships. 

The department also assisted to re-write 

TA’s Constitution and amend the Company’s 

By-laws to streamline both documents and 

meet good governance standards. p48 

Contract management 

The Legal department developed a contract 

management policy, which aims to ensure 

that all Company agreements receive formal 

legal approval prior to contracts being 

executed by a TA-authorised representative. 

The policy received approval from both TA’s 

Senior Management Team (SMT) and the 

Audit and Risk Committee. The initiative aims 

to reduce the likelihood of overlap between 

TA’s various business units’ contractual 

obligations and lessen the Company’s 

potential for legal exposure. 

Online procurement 

TA introduced new procurement guidelines 

including an online purchase order approval 

system. This system off ers significant 

improvements including the ability for staff to 

receive approval for purchases by email. p47 

David Roberts 

CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER 

Finance, Legal and Administration report 

23

Marketing, Media and e-Communications report 

DIGBY NANCARROW 

BIOGRAPHY 

AO 23 years 

TA Director of Marketing 

since 2005 

Founder Nancarrow 

Marketing Company 

Digby has worked across Asia, 

America and Australia 

managing and leading global 

brands such as Coca-Cola, 

Phillips, Nestles, BMW and GM. 

He is an Arabian horse 

breeder and the father of five 

daughters. His association 

with the Australian Open 

began in 1985 when he 

masterminded the campaign, 

Clash of the Titans. 

24 

3 

YEARS WITH TA 

0708 Tennis has become 

the sport of choice 

for Australians. 


Greatest Australian Open 

The Australian Open brand grew dramatically 

whereby it achieved the following in January 2008: 

· The biggest single day Grand Slam attendance ever in the world at 62,885. 

· Record attendance for the total event of 605,735 – up from 554,858 the previous year. 

· Record attendance at live sites in Shanghai, Sydney and Melbourne to a total of 1,387,338. 

· Record global television audience 1.9 billion reach. 

· Record website response: 7,456,693 unique users to australianopen.com, 

up from 4.7 million in 2006–2007. 

· Top nine out of 20 TV summer shows broadcast domestically were the Australian Open telecast. 

Tennis No.1 

Tennis Australia’s three major brands – Tennis – Australia’s Favourite, the Australian Open 

– the Grand Slam of Asia/Pacific and the AO Series – have grown dramatically in the past 

year to the point where tennis has become the sport of choice for Australians. Independent 

research by Sweeney Sports conducted in 2007–2008 identifies tennis as the sport people 

are most interested in, coming from third position in over 17 years. Tennis also moved to the 

number one spot as the sport people want to watch most on television. 

Turning blue 

Following the contemporisation of the AO logo, the AO brand turned blue – from the colour 

of the new Plexicushion courts at Melbourne Park, to television network graphics, programs, 

precinct signage, and a range of merchandise in the re-branded AO Shop. This vibrant blue 

served to re-energise the brand and provided great synergy for the theme of the 2008 

tournament – Where the World Comes to Play. Dressed in tennis outfits that contrasted perfectly 

with the blue courts, the world’s best tennis players were beamed across TV screens worldwide 

giving rise to stunning visuals across all media. Even the retractable roofs at Rod Laver Arena and 

Vodafone Arena sparkled with blue lighting during night sessions. We are now identified with 

the blue courts globally. This distinguishes us and raises our status as a Grand Slam nation. 

Australian Open Series 

The AO Series is in the process of rapid development as TA takes over management of the new 

Brisbane International, the Hobart International and Medibank International Sydney, which 

are all part of EventsCo. p20 These AO Series tournaments are poised to turn a profit in the 

coming years, strengthened and contemporised in line with the ‘mother’ brand. During the first 

six months of 2008, the Marketing department met with tournament organisers to formulate 

a unified marketing, media and communication strategy for the AO Series. 

Focusing on our purpose 

The Marketing department was reformed during the course of 2007–2008 after completing 

major broadcast contracts including the renewal of the Seven Network as domestic rightsholder, 

host broadcaster and world feed provider, and other major sponsors such as Kia 

Motors, Garnier and Tourism Victoria. These revenue streams, including merchandise and 

ticketing, are now housed in the separate Commercial business unit, headed by John Clark. 

p26, 57 The Marketing department’s focus is now fully centered on brand awareness 

and developing customer relationships through Marketing, Media and e-Communications. 

The primary role of Marketing is to ensure we communicate with our customer base, to 

which end AO Membership moved into the business unit. 

Towards alignment 

Together with Human Resources, Marketing also focused on achieving alignment of TA’s 

purpose: to become the greatest tennis nation on the planet. Our activities centred on getting 

a wide range of internal and external stakeholders in the tennis community engaged with 

The whole world came to play at AO 2008. 

the common goal of making the image of 

tennis in Australia more relevant and more 

compelling. We have done this in a number 

of ways: through regular staff communication 

sessions led by CEO Steve Wood and a chic 

AO launch in October 2007, to reveal Rod 

Laver Arena’s new blue centre court. TA staff 

members were the first to have a hit on centre 

court, invited to a historic in-house session 

conducted during lunch. p63 

To celebrate the record-breaking AO and 

visual transformation of the precinct, 

e-Communications – which delivers online 

and offl ine products – released a picture book 

titled Blue as a celebration of what we had 

achieved. This was distributed to all TA staff in 

May, presented as a gift to corporate clients 

and sponsors, and sold through the AO Shop. 

Growing our numbers 

Our focus continues to be on communicating 

openly and in a collaborative manner with all 

our stakeholders. We continue to build our 

position as the Grand Slam of Asia/Pacific 

by becoming the most watched Grand Slam 

tournament in the region, by conducting 

major marketing campaigns across Asia, 

including the Shanghai AO live sites, and 

through the exploration of further business 

relationships in Asia. 

The next challenge is to grow attendance 

at our events in ever increasing numbers 

and provide an additional entertainment 

that attracts more people to our major events. 

Digby Nancarrow 

DIRECTOR MARKETING 

Marketing, Media and e-Communications report 

25

Commercial report 

JOHN CLARK 

BIOGRAPHY 

B.Bus Sport Management 

& Marketing 

General Manager TA 

since 2006 

General Manager 

Commercial Operations 

MCC 2001–2006 

Marketing Manager MCC 

2000–2001 

Commercial Manager 

Skiing Australia 1996–1998 

John grew up in Tongala, 

country Victoria, and ran 

the family’s agribusiness for 

15 years before returning 

to university (Deakin) as 

a mature-aged student. 

The family’s horses have 

won numerous world 

championships including 

Olympic Gold medals in 

three-day eventing in 1996 

and 2000. 

26 

2 

YEARS WITH TA 



Commercial’s sole 

focus is the 

continued growth 

of these core 

revenues to 

provide funds that 

are then invested into 

the expansion of tennis.

Broadcast overall was a huge growth 

area with AO 2008 having an incredible 

global audience reach of 1.9 billion. 

Such was the sustained growth of the core revenue sources of our business that in 

October 2007 the Commercial business unit moved out of what had previously 

been the Marketing, Media and Sales business unit. 

Commercial’s departments include Merchandise, Broadcast, Sponsorship, Corporate 

Hospitality, and Ticketing and Tourism. The more concentrated focus has already paid 

a dividend with all areas exceeding their metric from the previous year. 

Commercial’s sole focus is the continued growth of these core revenues to provide funds 

that are then invested into the expansion of tennis. 

Merchandise rise 

After the restructure of Merchandise in 2006–2007 a team of expert managers, planners, 

buyers and retailers was appointed and this secured a 25 per cent increase in sales. 

The strength of the Tennis and Australian Open (AO) brands enabled us to license our range 

to Target department stores nationally and Target will stock the AO 2009 range exclusively 

for the first time. p60 

Long-term broadcast agreement 

The obvious highlight was a new long-term multi-level agreement with our domestic rights 

holder, the Seven Network, which gives them free-to-air, new media and subscription 

television rights until AO 2014. The new deal continues one of the most enduring and 

successful partnerships in Australian sports broadcasting that dates back to AO 1973. 

Broadcast overall was a huge growth area with AO 2008 having an incredible global audience 

reach of 1.9 billion. p59 

Sponsorship renewals 

The Sponsorship department embarked on an intense period of negotiation with 10 key 

sponsorships due for renewal at the end of 2007. This process was one of the major challenges for 

the team with major sponsor contracts including Garnier, Optus, Qantas and Evian up for renewal. 

At the end of these negotiations an impressive nine of 10 sponsors renewed for 2008 with 

MasterCard taking the place of American Express as off icial card of the AO. 

We also added to our suite of global brands with the signing of Rolex just prior to AO 2008 

as the off icial timekeeper and time piece provider for the event. 

Undoubtedly one of the highlights of the year was the re-signing of another true global brand, 

our major sponsor Kia Motors Corporation. The new agreement extends a wonderful and 

mutually beneficial relationship through to AO 2013. p57 

Corporate success 

Our Corporate Hospitality program is well received in the market and the AO has become 

an event to be seen at. We have appointed four off icial hospitality agents and are looking 

to expand our international business. 

Ground pass tickets remained the same price 

for AO 2008. 

We entertained approximately 80,000 

corporate clients at AO 2008 with 48 per cent 

taking up various dining options. p60 

The devoted fan 

We had an incredible record attendance 

of 605,735 – smashing the previous year’s 

attendance by more than 50,000. 

Our Ticketing and Tourism department 

devised new ticketing and pricing strategies 

to address the ongoing challenge of meeting 

the demand for value-for-money ticketing 

options with the need to maximise revenue 

for reinvestment in tennis. p59 

Ground pass tickets remained at the same price 

for AO 2008. One of the initiatives introduced 

this year was the five-day non-consecutive 

ground pass, giving fans the opportunity to 

come along on any five days of the tournament 

and enjoy tennis, live bands and entertainment 

for AUD$99.00. 

Commercial outlook 

Our major focus over the next 12 months 

will be to examine the whole commercial 

structure and develop strategies that can take 

us to the next sphere. We are currently at the 

growth stage and need to move on to the 

development phase. 

We will continue to strive and dare to be 

diff erent in order to provide the consumer 

with a product that will provide a lasting 

impression and ensure a powerful loyalty 

to both the AO and Tennis brands. 

John Clark 

GENERAL MANAGER COMMERCIAL 

Commercial report 

27

Human Resources report 

RAELENE TURNER 

BIOGRAPHY 

Grad Dip Bus. HR Management 

General Manager Human 

Resources TA since 2006 

National HR Manager Royal 

Australian College of General 

Practitioners 2004–2005 

HR Manager Nine Network 

Melbourne 2000–2003 

Workers Compensation 

Manager Crown Ltd 

1996–2000 

Raelene has worked across 

a range of dynamic and 

high profile organisations. 

Balancing a career and 

family, she completed post 

graduate studies in her 

field of passion – HR. She 

was part of the opening of 

Southbank’s Crown Casino 

– the largest single site 

employer in the southern 

hemisphere – and enjoyed 

many laughs with TV 

legends, Lou Richards and 

Pete Smith. Family highlights 

include backpacking around 

Europe with her husband 

and two children. 

28 

2 

YEARS WITH TA 



Ultimately, we’re 

enabling our 

people to maximise 

their personal 

and professional 

contribution to 

the business.

Talent management has emerged 

as the number one issue across the 

world facing companies: how to recruit 

and retain the best people. 

Towards alignment 

The over-arching goal of Human Resources (HR) is to ensure the Tennis Australia (TA) team is 

fully engaged and aligned behind the purpose, formula, promise and strategy as outlined in 

the Purpose Pyramid. p2–3 In 2007–2008, HR strove to achieve this by implementing better 

processes and systems, through improved communication across the Company, by developing 

stronger and more consistent leadership, and by providing a more stimulating and enjoyable 

work environment. This will continue to be our focus in the coming year. 

Employee Engagement Project 

HR undertook a survey of all TA staff in 2007–2008 – the Employee Engagement Project – with 

Hewitt and Associates. This took the form of focus groups, employee communication sessions 

and feedback forums. The Senior Management Team (SMT) set about addressing those top-ofmind 

issues which directly contribute to employee engagement. p64 

Major themes identified were around: • Leadership • Communication • Systems and processes. 

Getting it right 

In response to the feedback requesting improved leadership, TA embarked on the Leadership 

Development Program, Empowering our Leaders for Success the Tennis Australia Way. The first 

program included all managers of TA, from middle management through to supervisors. 

We have conducted three programs to date, two within TA and one with managers from 

Member Associations (MAs). A spin-off has been our mentoring program, where graduates 

of the Empowering Our Leaders for Success program are buddied with graduates of the next 

program. Case study p67 

Communications 

Addressing the need for improved communication across the Company, HR developed an online 

induction system through iLearn, which was launched before the Australian Open (AO). In future, 

all new TA staff and eventually MA staff will participate in an online induction on their first day. 

We continued with monthly drinks and morning teas to celebrate employee occasions, 

welcome new starters and farewell those leaving the Company. CEO Steve Wood and SMT 

leaders also took part in regular employee communication sessions, such as that conducted 

at the Melbourne Cricket Club on 13 March to launch the new strategic plan and Purpose 

Pyramid, including TA’s vision of becoming the greatest tennis nation on the planet. 

Staff were also polled on preferred charities TA should support, with Beyond Blue getting the 

most votes. TA’s off icial charities are Beyond Blue, the Kids Tennis Foundation, United Way and 

the Bone Growth Foundation. 

A popular benefit of working at TA is lunch-time 

tennis workouts. 

Visioning 

The Employee Engagement Project reported 

that some staff were unclear about TA’s vision. 

As a result, SMT went off site to a facilitated 

strategic forum and developed the Purpose 

Pyramid. p2–3 

We have since focused on improving the 

eff ectiveness of the SMT and ensuring a 

common understanding and communication 

of the strategy. This has translated into 

clear operational plans. The Professional 

Development Review (PDR) process has 

since been revised with departmental and 

individual KPOs and KPIs linked to business 

objectives outlined in TA’s Strategic Plan. 

Employee growth 

TA reached 145 full-time staff members at the 

end of the financial year, where two years ago 

the Company had 101 employees. p67 

There are growing career opportunities across 

the Company and quite a few employees 

have moved into diff erent areas. Talent 

management has emerged as the number 

one issue across the world facing companies: 

how to recruit and retain the best people, 

and how to develop and engage them 

strategically to achieve a true competitive 

edge. This drives all that we have done in HR 

and all that we are planning to do: creating 

better systems, improving communications, 

stronger and more consistent leadership and 

a stimulating, enjoyable work environment. 

Ultimately, we’re enabling our people to 

maximise their personal and professional 

contribution to the business. 

Raelene Turner 

GENERAL MANAGER HUMAN RESOURCES 

Human Resources report 

29

Tennis and Australian Open report 

CRAIG TILEY 

BIOGRAPHY 

Tournament Director TA 

since 2005 

Director Tennis since 2006 

Head Coach/Director 

of Tennis, University 

of Illinois 1999–2005 

Captain South African 

Davis Cup team 1998–2001 

Vice-Chair USTA’s High 

Performance Committee 

Academic degrees in Sports 

Science, Kinesiology and 

Business Administration 

US National Coach of 

the Year award (twice) 

Craig comes from a sporting 

family that includes a 

professional boxer and 

professional yatchmen. 

Craig completed two years 

of military service in South 

Africa which included nine 

months of off icer’s training. 

Hobbies are sailing, coaching 

and corporate speaking. 

30 

3 

YEARS WITH TA 



T-12 is the Tennis 

business unit’s blueprint 

of strategic priorities and key 

performance indicators that will 

guide our activities over 

the next four years.

We have a surface that now rewards 

good shots, is environmentally 

sustainable and remains consistent 

in pace and performance. 

During 2007–2008 the Tennis business unit continued with its Tennis 2010 strategy, 

also known as T-10. We had specific metrics against each of our strategies for the next 

three years. In February, the Senior Management Team (SMT) attended a strategy 

workshop p2–3 and extended our focus to Tennis 2012, redefining our strategies 

to fit into the Company’s overall formula for success. T-12 is the Tennis business unit’s 

blueprint of strategic priorities and key performance indicators that will guide our 

activities over the next four years. 

The Tennis business unit is divided into four departments. These are: Community Tennis, 

Tournaments and Competitions, Coach Development and Athlete Development. 

Increase in investment 

Not only have participants seen an increase in prize money at the Australian Open (AO), but 

Australian Money Tournaments (AMTs) and Pro Circuit Events have also seen an increase in 

investment. The total prize money was more than AUD$25 million in Australia including the 

AO, AO Series, Pro Circuits and AMTs. We also invested over AUD$3 million to develop more 

than 200 new courts through the Tennis Australia (TA) National Court Rebate Scheme. p84 

Improved player development 

We completely overhauled the player development pathway by eliminating the governance 

and unnecessary roadblocks in the development of players. The player development pathway 

now has clear entry and exit points and we have overturned the philosophy from one of athletedriven 

programs – where direct handouts were the norm – to one of coach-driven, athletecentred 

programs where our investment is in athlete training and competition opportunities. 

TA is committed to the development of world-class training opportunities and an increased 

number of quality competitions. A complete system of accountability has been created 

through the establishment of objective scholarship criteria, where athletes qualify themselves 

based on ranking, results and participation. 

Plexicushion success 

The new AO Plexicushion surface received wide acclaim from players and clubs throughout 

the country. We have a surface that now rewards good shots, is environmentally sustainable 

and remains consistent in pace and performance. This transformation was a resounding 

success and led to investment in tennis courts at clubs around Australia. With 272 courts 

resurfaced in the past 12 months, it appears Australian clubs are eager to adopt this 

state-of-the-art, environmentally sustainable court surface. The National Court Rebate 

Scheme has been developed to support all the Grand Slam surfaces including natural 

grass, clay and hard courts. p84 

The Plexicushion courts were unveiled 

at the AO launch in October 2007. 

Talent progress 

We are well on our way to identifying talented 

athletes and off ering the world’s leading athlete 

development environment. All 24 players in 

the AIS Pro Tour Program reached career high 

rankings in the past year. Specific highlights 

include Casey Dellacqua with a career high 

ranking of No.41, Chris Guccione with a career 

high ranking of No.67 and Sam Stosur back 

in the top 100 after just six events in 2008. 

Younger players such as Jessica Moore, Greg 

Jones, Brydan Klein, Robert Smeets, Carsten 

Ball and Sam Groth have improved their ATP 

or WTA rankings by an average 400 spots. 

Under our original criteria, the AIS Pro 

Tour Program has also grown from three 

athletes to now include 24 athletes with 

12 full-time coaches. We have reversed the 

downward trend in players’ rankings and 

now have the highest number of top 250 

players since 2002. p33 

In the juniors, we have had AO winners, 

AO and French Open finalists, 14/u 

champions and Junior Davis Cup and 

Junior Fed Cup champions. 

We have introduced a new Talent Search 

program, which has identified 2706 kids. 

We have created five National Academies 

(NAs) in the metropolitan areas, designed 

to provide world-class training for full and 

partial scholarship athletes. These academies 

are led by national coaches and a fully 

integrated sport science team. 


Tennis and Australian Open report 

31

Tennis and Australian Open report continued 

Chris Guccione trains at the AIS in Canberra. 


Not only have participants 

seen an increase in prize money at the 

AO, but Australian Money Tournaments 

and Pro Circuit events have also seen 

an increase in investment. 

Having the best coaches 

In developing, attracting and retaining the best coaches, we continue to accomplish further 

growth and development. We introduced Tennis Australia Coach Membership, which has gone 

from zero to 1637 members. We were also the first nation to receive an ITF endorsement for 

our Coach Education structure. There has been a 65 per cent increase in the number of courses 

off ered in Junior Development, Club Professional and High Performance. Five coach development 

coordinators were appointed and each resides in one of the major metropolitan areas. 

We announced an annual Grand Slam Coaches’ Conference and the Coach Development 

department produced valuable coaching resources such as the long-term Athlete 

Development Matrix and a coaching DVD outlining the technical and tactical fundamentals. 

Competition environment 

We continue to off er the best competition environment for developing champions. 

There were 18 AMTs and 22 Pro Circuit events. In 2008 we also off ered 141 junior athlete 

opportunities on 23 international tours.

Community development 

At AO 2008 we introduced more than 70 initiatives 

and defined a 10-point player experience that will 

maintain and grow the tournament’s position as 

the players’ favourite Grand Slam. 

Our initiatives in infrastructure continue to deliver excellent results. We have invested more 

than AUD$3 million in our National Court Rebate Scheme that has resulted in more than 200 

new or redeveloped tennis courts nationwide. Over 130 business plans and 125 government 

grants have been approved. The Melbourne Park community tennis facility has increased 

its year-round occupancy from 18 to 35 per cent. We have created cost eff ective services for 

clubs with the establishment of a facility blueprint and design service. In January, we also 

re-launched the Aviva Tennis Hot Shots program, which is now delivered at more than 280 

venues and continues to grow. p79 

World class events 

NO 

Through the AO Series we have created a lead-in to the AO with consistencies and 

commonalities across all events and we have also created a commercial model for their 

operation to ensure future AO Series events are profitable. In 2009, the new Brisbane 

International will be held at the AUD$77 million State Tennis Centre, Tennyson in a 

combined men’s and women’s event. The Medibank International Sydney will have 

initiatives in place to deliver an even better tournament and the Moorilla Hobart 

International will continue to be solely a women’s event. 

20 

16 

12 

8 

4 

0 

11 10 

9 

8 

9 

9 

9 

8 

10 

11 

9 

8 

5 

1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 

4 

5 

4 

8 

4 

Table 1.2 Progress of Australian player rankings as at 30 June 2008. 

At AO 2008 we introduced more than 70 

initiatives and defined a 10-point player 

experience that will maintain and grow the 

tournament’s position as the players’ favourite 

Grand Slam. AO 2009 will see a brand new 

player restaurant and player gym that will once 

again provide players with a quality service. 

This is an exciting time for tennis in Australia. 

We have a committed team delivering the 

sport of tennis and we are working tirelessly 

toward a clearly defined strategy with 

measurable targets. Change never guarantees 

overnight results. Together with the Member 

Associations (MAs), we have made great 

strides, but we still have a way to go. However, 

our future is bright. In Australia, we have the 

passion and drive to make success happen. 

Craig Tiley 

10 

3 

9 

6 

30 

June 

14 

3 

DIRECTOR TENNIS AND AUSTRALIAN OPEN 

TOURNAMENT DIRECTOR 

TOP T 

250 

TOP T 

100 

Tennis and Australian Open report continued 

33

Operations report 

34 

SARAH CLEMENTS 

BIOGRAPHY 

Since 1991: 

AO Tournament Assistant, 

Tournament Coordinator, 

Executive Assistant, 

Tournament 

Administration Manager, 

Operations Manager, 


Operations TA 

Receptionist, Advertising 

Coordinator Vogue Living 

Advertising Coordinator, 

Retail Advertising Executive 

Vogue Australia 1987–1991 

Sarah arrived in Australia in 

1981 having lived in Zambia, 

Botswana and Malawi. Her 

parents spent 30 years 

in Africa pioneering and 

mapping unknown territories 

for the British Government. 

17 

YEARS WITH TA 



Our team maintained its commitment 

to developing a process for continuous 

improvement to set standards of 

excellence across Tennis Australia’s 

major events.

One of the biggest challenges our unit 

has ever faced was a move to the new 

Plexicushion court surface and introduction 

of the new off icial blue court colour. 

Tennis Australia’s (TA’s) Operations business unit comprises four key areas: Site and 

Facilities, Event Operations, Access Control and Operations and Events Administration. 

The business unit has a large portfolio of responsibilities and is in the unique position 

of working intimately with all of TA’s business units to deliver the Company’s strategic 

priorities, with a primary focus on delivering the Australian Open (AO). 

Delivering world class major events 

The Operations business unit had another successful year highlighted by the delivery 

of the record-breaking AO 2008. The tournament set crowd records with attendance figures 

reaching an all-time record of 605,735 patrons. Our team maintained its commitment to 

developing a process for continuous improvement to set standards of excellence across 

TA’s major events. 

Challenging change to blue 

AO 2008 brought one of the biggest challenges our unit has ever faced with a move 

to the new blue Plexicushion court surface. The colour change was part of a major push 

to create the best possible playing conditions for players. It was a 12-month project that 

required a huge amount of eff ort and included an upgrade of all court equipment to move 

in line with the new brand and to meet the needs of stakeholders including players, fans, 

off icials, sponsors and media. p89 

Improving the customer experience 

AO 2008 also saw the introduction of more than 70 initiatives that revitalised the event 

and saw an enhancement in all customer experiences at the tournament. The most notable 

initiatives included an early start to the AO qualifying event, new chair umpire palm scoring 

systems, ticketing of Vodafone Arena, revised heat policy and the improvement of player 

practice service desks. p89 

Events Operating Plan 

TA completed the first draft of an AO Event Operating Plan that provides the Company 

with a comprehensive guide and framework for the delivery of the event. This was designed 

to ensure a consistent approach and a clear outline of approved operating procedures and 

principles is achieved. The draft will be reviewed early in the new financial year with plans to 

release the final version in late 2008 and soon after that assist with generating individual plans 

for all AO Series events. p90 

Managing international team competition 

During the year the Operations business unit conducted one home Davis Cup tie, two away 

Davis Cup ties, one home Fed Cup tie – the first in four years - and one away Fed Cup tie, with 

mixed results. p91 

The new blue court at Melbourne Park. 

Restoring Melbourne Park 

to world class status 

TA stepped closer toward achieving its 

Melbourne Park Master Redevelopment Plan 

after the Victorian Government announced 

an AUD$2 million investigation into 

upgrading the Melbourne and Olympic 

Parks Trust (MOPT) precinct. p91 

Player experience 

As outlined in the Finance, Legal and 

Administration section p49 TA began the first 

phase of a facility upgrade at Melbourne Park. 

The upgrade was part of a move to enhance 

the player experience at the AO with the 

construction of a new player restaurant for 2009. 

Stakeholder coordination 

A high turnover of staff in a number of our 

stakeholder groups required additional 

stakeholder coordination and integration 

from our staff throughout the year. 

Looking ahead 

Moving forward, TA has created a new 

business unit – EventsCo – to focus solely 

on the role of delivering bigger, better and 

more tennis events. We look forward to 

assisting the new unit and contributing to 

the continuous improvement of the delivery 

of all TA major events. We will also deliver 

more initiatives at AO 2009 including 

enhanced on-site entertainment, night 

sessions on Hisense Arena (formerly Vodafone 

Arena) and a new player restaurant. 

Sarah Clements 

GENERAL MANAGER OPERATIONS 

Operations report 

35

Information Technology report 

36 

CHRIS YATES 

BIOGRAPHY 

B.Sc 

Ph.D reproductive biology 

Chief Information Off icer TA 

since 2007 

IT Consultant Unisuper, 

Rio Tinto, AIG 2006–2007 

IT Consultant CSTIM, 

Price Waterhouse Coopers 2006 

CIO George Patterson Partners 

2002–2005 

Andrology Scientist Monash 

IVF 1983–1991 

Chris studied science 

at Monash University and 

completed a doctorate in the 

use of artificial reproductive 

technologies for the 

treatment of male infertility 

while working as a laboratory 

manager at Monash IVF. 

He saw the Monkees live 

at their only Australian 

concert and was a waiter 

at Shane Warne’s wedding. 

He has a ‘serious weakness’ 

for Rickenbacker and Taylor 

guitars and plays rhythm 

guitar and the ukulele. 

1 

YEARS WITH TA 



The IT business unit underwent 

a challenging reorganisation 

and restructure to build a team 

of IT specialists.

One of the strategies of Tennis Australia 

is to invest in the game and to continually 

improve the infrastructure to support 

tennis nationally at all levels. 

Information Technology (IT) became an independent business unit in November 2007 

to focus entirely on the technological requirements of Tennis Australia (TA). Previously, 

IT was part of the Finance, IT and Administration business unit but, with the continually 

increasing reliance on technology within tennis, it was decided that a separate and more 

focused approach was required. 

TA had previously engaged IBM to conduct an extensive Business Systems Review on IT 

and it was concluded that restructuring and an expanded set of skills was required to 

further develop the growing IT needs of the Company. As such it was decided to recruit 

a Chief Information Off icer, who would sit on the Senior Management Team (SMT), and have 

a transition plan created to move TA to a more applicable IT environment. 

Maximising IT potential 

To address some of the issues raised in the IBM review, the IT business unit underwent a 

challenging reorganisation and restructure to build a team of IT specialists that are introducing 

new procedures and designing the new IT architecture. 

IT is now structured specifically to address infrastructure, desktop development and key projects. 

These areas are coordinated to take a holistic view as to how they can be better managed. 

IT also transitioned to view tennis not only as a sport, but tennis as a major community and a 

key role of the unit is to make the technology transparent and the transition to new software 

or hardware as simple and straightforward as possible. One of the key tenets is to ensure that 

the technology is invisible and does not get in the way of the tennis but rather enhances it. 

National network 

One of the strategies of TA is to invest in the game and to continually improve the 

infrastructure to support tennis nationally at all levels. For TA to function eff ectively as a 

national institution, it is critical that IT delivers substantial services nationwide and strongly 

supports the Member Associations (MAs). The 2007–2008 financial year saw the completion 

of the TA national network. p98 This included a major upgrade to the internet connections 

between TA and MAs, incorporating the expansion of the TA Voice over IP telephone system 

and a significant network security upgrade. This national network now allows all the MAs to 

be connected on the same system and, as a result, links TA and all other MAs with both phone 

systems and data. 

During this project, IT also took the opportunity to upgrade servers in Queensland and the 

ACT and will upgrade servers for all of the MAs in the second half of 2008. While the server 

upgrades take place, IT will fine tune desktop machines in all states and significantly improve 

the ability to support the MAs remotely. However, to ensure that support is maintained at a 

high level throughout Australia, a policy has been introduced that guarantees that each of 

the state off ices is visited at least twice a year by IT. 

Technology is a crucial requirement for all employees. 

Service desk 

As the size of TA grows, the need for a more 

professional service desk grows and, with this, 

the introduction of established guidelines in 

using the IT services has been introduced. 

While in place before, the IT Service Desk 

has been revisited and restructured and 

is undergoing a continuous improvement 

process. The number of staff working on the 

Service Desk has been increased as the general 

staff requirements have continued to increase 

with the more pervasive use of technology. 

Regardless of the improvements that have 

been made, there is still a high level of 

demand and, as such, improvements to the 

Service Desk area have been put in place, with 

the management of the desktop environment 

falling under this area. This has led to the 

introduction of a Standard Operating 

Environment (SOE) p94 which has made 

the desktops far more stable. A new Service 

Desk system was installed in the second 

half of 2008 which has been significantly 

improved to monitor and respond to issues. 

The exciting experience of AO 2008 has 

presented IT with a huge number of 

opportunities and we look forward to 

AO 2009 where we will once again raise 

the quality of IT services and support. 

Chris Yates 

CHIEF INFORMATION OFFICER 

Information Technology report 

37

Tennis Australia’s historical timeline 

1 2 3 


1. Rod Laver 

2. Davis Cup 1999 

3. Woodies gold 

4. Margaret (Smith) Court 

38 

4 

dates 


1880 Victoria stages first tennis championships in the Colonies. 

1885 NSW stages its first championships and introduces Inter-Colonial matches. 

1904 Lawn Tennis Association of Australasia formed by six State Associations and New Zealand. 

1905 First Australasian Men’s Championships staged. 

1907 Norman Brookes first Australian to win Wimbledon. 

1907 Australasia wins its first Davis Cup. 

1922 First Australasian Women’s Championships staged. 

1926 Name changed to Lawn Tennis Association of Australia, Sir Norman Brookes 

becomes President. 

1933 Jack Crawford wins the Australian, French and Wimbledon Championships. 

He reaches the final of the US Championships and the term ‘Grand Slam’ is coined. 

1939 Australia wins its first Davis Cup title. 

1950 Australia regains Davis Cup and Hopman golden era begins under captain Harry Hopman. 

1962 Rod Laver wins the Grand Slam. Inside back cover (See 1 above) 

1967 Australia wins Davis Cup for 15th time in 18 years. 

1969 Australian Championships become ‘Open’ to both amateurs and professionals 

and Rod Laver becomes the only player to win the Grand Slam twice. 

1970 Margaret (Smith) Court wins the Grand Slam. (See 4 left) 

1972 Kooyong, Victoria, adopted as the home of the AO. 

1988 Tennis Australia (TA) and the Australian Open (AO) move to new permanent home 

at Flinders Park (now Melbourne Park). 

1994 Board of Directors established separate to Council. 

1996 AUD$25 million expansion of Melbourne Park facilities. 

1996 The ‘Woodies’ win first Olympic tennis gold medal. (See 3 above) 

1999 Australia wins Centenary Davis Cup in France on clay. (See 2 above) 

2000 AO attendance exceeds 500,000 for the first time. 

2001 Second arena at Melbourne Park opened with retractable roof. 

2003 Australia wins 28th Davis Cup title, beating Spain in Melbourne. 

2005 TA splits the roles of President and CEO. 

2006 All decision-making powers transferred from Council to Board. 

2007 TA undertakes review of its Constitution. 

2008 AO attendance exceeds 600,000.

Tennis Australia Governance 

The Board of Directors is responsible 

for guiding and monitoring the 

Company, its strategic direction, 

setting its goals for management, 

and monitoring its performance. 

Director Bill Beischer at a TA Board meeting. 


Corporate Governance statement 40 

Tennis Australia Board 43 

Off ice Bearers, Life Members, 

Service Awards and Committees 44 

Tennis Australia Governance 

39

Corporate Governance statement 

TA – the Company and 

Governance structure 

Tennis Australia (TA) is a not-for-profit 

Company limited by guarantee and registered 

in Victoria. The Company’s purpose is to 

control the game of tennis in Australia and 

to grow, manage, promote and showcase 

the game of tennis domestically and 

represent Australia’s tennis interests 

internationally. The Australian Open (AO), 

which is the Grand Slam of Asia/Pacific, is 

owned and organised by TA each year at 

Melbourne Park. The Members (shareholders) 

of TA are the six state and two territory tennis 

associations also known as the Member 

Associations (MAs). 

The Annual General Meeting (AGM) of TA 

was held on 29 October 2007. In addition, 

the Company met twice in Special General 

Meetings (SGM) to consider items specifically 

reserved for members (loans to a MA 

and proposed Constitution changes). 

All other decision-making powers rest 

with the Board of Directors. 

TA significant changes 

TA continued the significant development in 

Corporate Governance reform as outlined in 

recent Annual Reports. On 1 October 2007 the 

Board exercised its option, as provided under 

the Constitution, and appointed two additional 

independent Directors, Chris Freeman and 

Scott Tanner. With these additions, the Board 

achieved the objective of a majority of 

independent Directors with no involvement at 

MA level. At the AGM on 29 October 2007 the 

members adopted a new Constitution which 

changed the name of the Association from the 

Lawn Tennis Association of Australia to Tennis 

Australia (previously the trading name) and 

adopted a new modern Constitution. 

In a SGM on 24 January 2008, the Members 

agreed to the principle that over the period 

2010 to 2012 the number of Directors 

with some involvement at MA level would 

gradually decrease so that by the 2012 

AGM any person appointed a Director 

of TA and holding some position at MA 

level will be required to resign from that 

MA position. The formal Constitution changes 

will be presented at a forthcoming SGM. 

40 


Des Nicholl, David Stobart and CEO Steve Wood take part in a Board meeting. 

Composition of the Board of Directors 

The Board comprises nine Directors appointed at the AGM using its provision to appoint two 

additional Directors in October 2007. Under the new Constitution adopted by the AGM in 

October 2007, all other seven Directors will resign at the 2008 AGM, but may seek re-election. 

The President (Chairman) and the six other Directors, three of whom can be members of 

MAs and three of whom must be independent of MAs, will be elected for staggered two year 

terms (that is, initially half will be elected to 2009 and half to 2010). However, there is also 

a requirement that any Director who has served for at least eight consecutive years will be 

required to seek re-election annually. 

The Board elected Des Nicholl to serve as Vice President/Deputy Chairman for a two year term 

2006–2008. 

Activities of the Board of Directors 

The Board of Directors is responsible for guiding and monitoring the Company, its strategic 

direction, setting its goals for management, and monitoring its performance against these 

goals on behalf of the MAs. The Board met nine times during the year and received reports 

from the Chief Executive Off icer (CEO) and other members of staff where appropriate. 

The names and qualifications of Directors are shown on p43 and a record of attendance 

at the nine meetings held during the year and other relevant data for the Directors is shown 

in the Directors’ report. p100 

The Articles permit re-election, and all Directors whose terms of off ice had expired were re-elected.

The responsibility for the management and 

administration of the Company is undertaken 

by the CEO, who reports directly to the Board. 

Rod Laver Arena lights up during AO 2008. 

Reviewing the performance of TA’s Board of Directors 

The Board continued to implement the recommendations included in the KPMG Performance 

Review of the Board referred to in last year’s Annual Report. A new Constitution was adopted 

by the 2007 AGM and further changes recommended by the Board have been approved in 

principle by the Members for presentation at the next AGM. In November 2007 the Board 

adopted a Charter to clearly specify the duties and operations of the Board. The Board also 

adopted similar Charters for each of its Committees. In particular the Board has engaged in 

a process of self-assessment and succession planning. 

The role of the Chief Executive Off icer (CEO) 

The responsibility for the management and administration of the Company is undertaken by 

the CEO, who reports directly to the Board. While it is primarily the responsibility of the CEO 

to ensure that suitably qualified and experienced personnel are retained, the Board is made 

aware on a continuous basis of any changes in key personnel and the quality of replacement 

staff to ensure that the Senior Management Team (SMT) is appropriately qualified and 

suff iciently experienced to discharge its responsibilities. 

TA Audit and Risk Committee 

The Board has an Audit and Risk Committee of three non-executive Directors, which is chaired 

by the Vice President (Des Nicholl) and contains one Board Member who is a representative 

of the MAs (David Stobart) and one Board Member who is not a representative of the MAs 

(Chris Freeman who replaced Bill Beischer in December 2007). 

The role of the Committee is to assist the Board in discharging its responsibilities for financial 

reporting, risk management, maintaining an internal control system and addressing matters 

of Corporate Governance. The Audit and Risk Committee achieves this through overseeing 

the financial reporting process and interacting with management and the external auditors 

on behalf of the Board. 

The Audit and Risk Committee, appointed 

by the Board of Directors, assists the Board to 

fulfil its oversight responsibilities relating to: 

• the preparation and integrity of TA’s financial 

accounts and statements 

• the internal controls, policies and 

procedures that TA uses to identify 

and manage business risks 

• the qualifications, independence, 

engagement, fees and performance 

of TA’s external auditor 

• the external auditor’s annual audit 

of TA’s financial statements 

• the resources, performance, and scope of 

work of TA’s internal audit function, if any 

• TA’s compliance with legal, regulatory 

requirements and compliance policies 

• reviewing the annual budget and making 

recommendations to the Board 

• reviewing the risk management system. 

The Committee met twice during the year. 


Corporate Governance statement 

41

Corporate Governance continued 

TA’s Remuneration Committee 

TA’s Remuneration Committee consists of 

all nine members of the Board of Directors 

and is chaired by the Vice President. Apart 

from the President, no Director receives any 

remuneration from the Company. 

The Remuneration Committee determines 

matters aff ecting the terms and conditions 

of employment of the CEO and senior 

executives of the Company and oversees 

the Company’s normal salary review process. 

The Committee met twice during the year. 

TA’s Investment Advisory 

Committee 

The Board has appointed an Investment 

Advisory Committee to assist the Board 

to manage its investment policy, monitor 

investment transactions and to invest funds. 

The Committee also has a responsibility to 

evaluate and monitor the risk factors within 

the investment environment, recognising the 

Board’s policy of risk aversion and its position 

as trustee of Members’ funds. The Committee 

consists of Peter Ritchie (Chairman), Des 

Nicholl, Scott Tanner, Geoff Pollard, Steve 

Wood and David Roberts, with provision for 

up to two people from outside TA appointed 

by the Board each financial year. No outside 

appointments were made during the financial 

year 2007–2008. 

Although the MAs 

are shareholders of 

TA they are more 

involved in certain 

activities than 

normal company 

shareholders in that 

they implement 

many of TA’s 

programs and 

activities. 


Activities of the Nominations Committee 

The Nominations Committee is chaired by the President and consists of all Directors and the 

CEO ex-off icio. It met in Executive Sessions during Board meetings to discuss and recommend 

the new Directors appointed on 1 October 2007 and to discuss succession planning for the 

2008 AGM and subsequent AGMs. 

TA’s relationship with its MAs 

Although the MAs are shareholders of TA they are more involved in certain activities than normal 

company shareholders in that they implement many of TA’s programs and activities. The Board 

of Directors adopts a policy of continuous disclosure with shareholders with a phone call briefing 

to all MAs following each Board meeting and the circulation of the minutes to all MAs. 

Further, the CEO conducts regular meetings with the CEOs of each MA as does the Director 

of Tennis with High Performance Managers in each MA, and with Community Tennis staff at 

MA level. The Board and CEO meet at least twice a year with the MA Presidents and additional 

Member Delegates in a strategic planning forum. 

Safeguarding the tennis community 

All Directors, Committee Members, selectors, executives, managers and employees are expected 

to adhere to a code of conduct, acting with the utmost integrity and objectivity, striving at all 

times to enhance the reputation and performance of the Company. They are required to declare 

any confl ict of interest, perceived or otherwise, they may have in matters before the Board or 

Committees as appropriate. They may not vote on, or participate in the debate on, matters in 

which they have a confl ict and, where appropriate, they must absent themselves from meetings 

featuring discussions and votes on that issue. As the only shareholders in the Company are the 

eight MAs, trading in company securities is not applicable. 

TA has a Member Protection Policy, an Events Disciplinary Policy and a TA Disciplinary Policy 

that protect all members of the tennis community. 

For further details see tennis.com.au. 

Alicia Molik is a strong supporter of TAs kids’ starter program – Aviva Tennis Hot Shots.

Tennis Australia Board 

Geoff Pollard AM (President) 

MSc, AIA, FAIM, FAICD 

Chairman, Tennis Australia (since 1989). 

Councillor, Tennis Australia (1978–2006). 

Vice President, Director, International Tennis Federation. 

Trustee, Melbourne and Olympic Parks Trust. 

President, Oceania Tennis Federation. 

Bill Beischer 

Director, Tennis Australia (since 1993). 

Chairman, Vision Systems (1991–2005). 

Director, Pacifi c Dunlop (1975–1989). 

Andrea Mitchell (WA) 

B.PhysEd 



President, Tennis West (since 1996). 

Manager, Regional services, Department 

of Sport and Recreation WA. 

Director, Hopman Cup (since 2001). 

Off ice 

Bearers 

Steve Wood 

(Chief Executive Off icer) B.Bus 

Ashley Cooper AO (Qld) 

President, Tennis Queensland (since 2004). 



Director, Tennis Queensland (since 1997). 

International Tennis Hall of Fame 

(inducted 1991). 

Australian Tennis Hall of Fame 

(inducted 1995). 

Peter Ritchie AO 

B.Com, FCPA 


Director and deputy Chairman, 

Seven Network Limited (since 1991). 

Chairman, Mortgage Choice 

Australia Limited (since April 2004). 

Chairman, Reverse Corp Ltd (since 1999). 

Chief Executive and Chairman, McDonalds 

Australia Limited (1973–2001). 

David Roberts 

(Company Secretary) B.Bus, CPA 

Des Nicholl (Vice President) 

FCA 


Treasurer, Tennis New South Wales (since 1980). 

Chairman, Australian Dairy Corporation (1998–2003). 

Chairman, Australian Meat Processor Corporation. 

Fellow, Institute of Charted Accountants in Australia. 


Chris Freeman 

B.Com FAICD FAIBF FDIA 

Director, Tennis Australia (since 2007) 

Chairman, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom 

and Queensland Mirvac (since 2008) 

CEO Mirvac Development for Queensland (since 1998) 

Committee member, Queensland Government’s Q150 

Celebration Committee (Since 2007) 

Adjunct-Professor of the University of Queensland (Since 2006) 

David Stobart (Vic.) 

B.Com 

President, Tennis Victoria (since 2004). 


Director, Tennis Victoria (since 2000). 

Chairman, Victorian Government 

Manufacturing and Industry 

Consultative Council (since 2002). 

President, Beaumauris Tennis Club (since 1997). 

Trustee, Melbourne and Olympic Parks Trust. 

Scott Tanner 

B.App.Sc, MBA 


Director, Bain & Company, Inc. 

Fellow, Australian Institute 

of Company Directors. 

Member Delegates 

MAs are represented by the following delegates at TA’s AGM and at strategic forums. 

Vic. 

David Stobart 

Geoff Stone 

NSW 

Stephen Healy 

Harry Beck 

Qld 

Ashley Cooper 

Ian Rodin 

WA 

Andrea Mitchell 

Michael Lee 

SA 

Bill Cossey 

Kent Thiele 

Tas. 

Peter Armstrong 

Graeme Holloway 

ACT 

Bruce Lilburn 

NT 

Warren Martin 

Tennis Australia Board 

43

Off ice Bearers, Life Members, Service Awards and Committees 

Off ice Bearers 

Presidents 

W.H. Forrest 1904–1909 

P.B. Colquhoun 1909–1926 

Sir N.E. Brookes 1926–1955 

D.M. Ferguson 1955–1960 

N.W. Strange, OBE 1960–1965 

C.A. Edwards, OBE 1965–1969 

W.V. Reid, OBE 1969–1977 

B.R. Tobin, AM 1977–1989 

G.N. Pollard, AM 1989– 

Board of Directors 

(Since 23 May 1994) 

G.N. Pollard, AM 1994– 

D.L. Nicholl 1994– 

W. Beischer 1994– 

J.G. Fraser, OAM 1994–1997 

A.R. Hicks 1994–1997 

H.E. Macmillan 1997–2004 

Ms A.R Mitchell 1997– 

J. Reynolds 1994–2003 

A.J. Ryan 1994–2005 

P. Ritchie, AO 2004– 

A. Cooper, AO 2004– 

D. Stobart 2005– 

C. Freeman 2007– 

S. Tanner 2007– 

Councillors 

(Since withdrawal of New Zealand 

on 30 June 1922) 

(TA Council disbanded March 

2006) 

For New South Wales 

Council (Member Representative 

from March 2006) 

B.C. Fuller 1926 

M.H. Marsh 1926 

R.C. Wertheim 1926–1933 

P.W. Sandral 1926–1927 

M. McL Duigan 1927–1930 

H. Siminton 1930–1938 

J. Clemenger, OBE 1933–1938 

G. Rennick 1938–1950 

G. Cross 1938–1940 

N.W. Strange, OBE 1940–1960 

A.W. Cobham 1950–1965 

Life Members 

John Andrew † 

Sir Norman Brookes † 

Bill Edwards, OBE † 

Donald Ferguson, OBE † 

Dr John Fraser, OAM 

T.M. Kennedy 1960–1964 

J.P. Young, OBE 1964–1974 

J.N. Watt 1966–1968 

G.W. Sample 1968–1970 

G.E. Brown 1970–1974 

E.R. Stephens, MBE 1974–1975 

J.K. Hall, OAM 1974–1979 

C.E. Sproule, OBE 1975–1977 

V.W. Austin 1977–1983 

G.N. Pollard, AM 1979–1989 

D.L. Nicholl 1983–2003 

K.C. Sheel, OAM 1989–1991 

J.C. Whittaker, OAM 1991–2007 

M. Bergman 2003–2006 

S. Healey 2005– 

H. Beck 2008– 

For Queensland 



F. Peach 1926 

E. Martin 1926 

L.A. Baker 1926–1949 

W.S. Sproule 1926–1938 

A.H. Barraclough 1938–1950 

G.A. Bitcon 1949–1961 

G. Elliot 1951–1959 

R. Mitchell 1960–1965 

C.A. Edwards, OBE 1961–1962 

Judge A.M. Fraser 1962–1979 

N.C. Vickers, MBE 1965–1975 

G.E. Griff ith 1975–1991 

J.L.C. McInnes, OAM 1979–1989 

F.G. Hennessy 1989–1991 

J.F. Brown 1991–1993 

B.D. Thomas 1991–1992 

G.E. Griff ith 1992–1993 

D.A. Keating, OAM 1993–1999 

J.C. Reynolds 1993–1994 

I.C. Klug 1994–1996 

J. Roney 1996–1997 

S. Nucifora 1997–1999 

M. Philp 1999–2004 

A. Cooper, AO 1999– 

M. Ford 2004–2005 

S. Ayles 2005–2007 

I. Rodin 2008– 

Neale Fraser, AO, MBE 

Ken Hall, OAM † 

Viv Holloway, OAM † 

Harry Pitt, CMG, OBE † 

Wayne Reid, OBE 

Tennis Australia National Award for Service to the Game 

1997 

Kevin Bolton 

David Bierwirth 

Bill Carlier 

Dr John Diggle 

Jim Entink 

Graeme Fair 

Dorn Fogarty, OAM 

Ron Green 

Geoff Kerr 

John McInnes, OAM 

Max McMullen 

Harry Spilsbury 

John Young, OBE 

1999 

Ian Occleshaw 

2001 

Max Atkins 

Bill Gilmour 

John Newcombe, AO, OBE 

Tony Roche, AO 

Max Horton, OAM 

2003 

Jack May 

Colin McDonald 

Barry McMillan 


For South Australia 



W.P. Dunlop 1926 

T.H. Hicks 1926 

P.B. Wald 1926–1941 

H.W. Pownall 1926–1930 

E.F.K. McIver 1930–1931 

E. Lewis 1931–1938 

Judge Piper 1938–1940 

R.R.P. Barbour 1940–1954 

D.M. Frankenberg 1941–1969 

F.E. Piper 1954–1957 

J.K. Hall, OAM 1957–1968 

W.H. Carlier 1968–1974 

C.J. Woodgate 1970–1974 

J.P. Young, OBE 1974–1975 

G.D. Fair 1974–1991 

G.E. Brown 1975–1976 

J.D.C. Nelson 1976–1977 

W.H. Carlier 1977–1981 

B.F. McMillan 1981–1984 

R.J. Green 1984–1995 

C.J. Altman 1991–1996 

I.R. Beadmeade 1995–1997 

D. Dall 1996–2005 

K. Thiele 1997– 

W. Cossey 2005– 

For Victoria 



S.E. Jamison 1926 

R.M. Kidston 1924 

W.J. Lampard 1924–1926 

H. Malcolm 1926–1938 

W.J. Daish 1926–1931 

R.R. Treloar 1931–1934 

C.R. Cowling 1934–1951 

A.R. Bingle 1938–1941 

A.L. Hughes 1941–1947 

J.K. Hall, OAM 1947–1949 

R.N. Vroland 1950–1964 

W.B. Barnett 1951–1957 

J.J. Courtney 1958–1968 

Dr. J.N. Diggle 1964–1978 

I.R. Carson 1968–1975 

J.P. Young, OBE 1975–1980 

Tony Ryan 

Fred Small † 

Cliff Sproule, OBE† 

Brian Tobin, AM 

Harold Walker † 

2004 

Peter Bellenger 

2005 

Dennis Dall 

Hamish Macmillan 

Todd Woodbridge, OAM 

2006 

Ian Basey 

Lindsay Cox 

Mike Daws 

Jim Sheppard 

Colin Stubs 

Roy Youdale † 

† deceased 

2007 

John Whittaker, OAM 

Alan Trengove 

Judy Dalton 

Dr J.G. Fraser, OAM 1978, 1980–1996 

Dr J.L. Foster 1978–1980 

K.W. Howard 1980–1985 

H.E. Macmillan 1985–2004 

P. Bellenger 1996–2003 

G. Stone 2003– 

D. Stobart 2005– 

For Tasmania 



A.H. Bunting 1926 

H.S. Utz 1926 

E.B. Coles 1926–1929 

G. Cragg 1926–1934 

Sir T. Nettlefold 1929–1947 

W.H. Walker 1934–1965 


J.T. Tomasetti 1955–1965 

W.V. Reid, OBE 1965–1969 

N.A. Fraser, AO, MBE 1969–1974 

B.R. Tobin, AM 1965–1977 

V. Holloway, OAM 1974–1981 

A.J. Ryan 1977–2005 

E.C. Stewart 1981–1982 

M. McMullen 1982–1992 

J. Barrenger 1992–1993 

W.J. Fitzgerald 1993–2003 

R. Munro 2003–2007 

G. Holloway 2005– 

P. Armstrong 2007– 

For Western Australia 



L.M. Howell 1926 

R. Eagle 1922 

H.G. Jeff erson 1922–1926 

E.D. Gilchrist 1926–1930 

H.A. Pitt, CMG, OBE 1926–1954 

T.E. Robinson 1930–1964 

Justice E.A. Dunphy 1954–1968 

Judge J.X. O’Dirscoll 1964–1969 

G.B. Davis 1968–1969 

J. Loughrey 1969–1990 

J. Heathcote 1972–1976 

B.S. Sanders 1976–1982 

H.M. Spilsbury 1982–1995 

A.R. Hicks 1990–1996 

Ms. A.R. Mitchell 1995– 

D.P. Rundle 1996–1998 

M. Lee 1998– 

For Australian Capital Territory 



G.C. Scott 1980* 

G.R. Gordon 1980–1984* 

R.F. Smalley 1984–1989*, 

1989–1993 

D.K. Barker 1993–2001 

C. Mason 2001–2005 

T. Lane 2005–2006 

B. Lilburn 2006– 

For Northern Territory 


from March 2006 

M.F. Horton, OAM 1981–1989*, 

1989–2001 

Ms S. Smiles 2001–2008 

W. Martin 2008– 

Honorary Treasurers 

L.M. Howell 1925 

H.G. Jeff erson 1925–1926 

W.J. Daish 1926–1931 

R.R. Treloar 1931–1934 


J.K. Hall, OAM 1953–1961 

T.M. Kennedy 1961–1968 

J.K. Hall, OAM 1968–1979 

J.L.C. McInness, OAM 1979–1994 

Honorary Secretaries 

T.M. Hicks 1904–1926 

H. Malcolm 1926–1934 

Company Secretaries 

A.H. Barraclough 1933–1938 

J.F. Fullarton 1938–1951 

J.A.C. Andrew 1951–1979 

C.C. McDonald 1979–1987 

T.J. Dohnt 1987–97 

D.A. Roberts 1997– 

* Observer status at Council meetings 

Tennis Australia Committees 

(as at 30 June 2008) 

Audit and Risk 

Committee 

Des Nicholl 

(Chairman) 

Chris Freeman 

Geoff Pollard 

David Stobart 

Investment Advisory 

Committee 

Peter Ritchie 

(Chairman) 

Des Nicholl 

Geoff Pollard 

David Roberts 

Scott Tanner 

Steve Wood 

Remuneration 

Committee 

Des Nicholl 

(Chairman) 

All members 

of the TA Board 

Nominations 

Committee 

Geoff Pollard 

(Chairman) 

All members 

of the TA Board 

Australian Open 

Focus Group 

Steve Wood 

(Chairman) 

John Clark 

Sarah Clements 

Digby Nancarrow 

Darren Pearce 

Geoff Pollard 

David Roberts 

Selina Ross 

Craig Tiley 

Raelene Turner 

Chris Yates


The Finance, Legal and Administration 

business unit is responsible for managing 

Tennis Australia’s (TA’s) financial accounts and 

investment portfolio. It implements TA’s shared 

services program and also provides legal 

advice and assistance to protect the Company’s 

interests and minimise risk. 

Finance, Legal and Administration 46 

Risk management 50 

TA’s CEO Steve Wood and Detective Superintendent Jack Blayney outline TA’s Anti-Corruption Commission at a media conference on 21 December 2007. 



45

46 


Objectives 

Strategy 

Alignment 

Alignment 

Alignment 

Alignment 

Alignment 

Alignment 

Establish a national accounting system. 

Implement new dashboard financial reporting system. 

Develop new procurement guidelines. 

Broaden the scope of Tennis Australia’s shared 

services initiative. 

Improve reporting method to Board of Directors. 

Finalise the implementation of a shared financial system. 

Provide legal services across the entire Company. 

Provide timely, accurate and practical legal advice. 

Minimise the risk and exposure of the Company. 

Deliver strategic legal advice across all business units in TA and its Member Associations (MAs). 


National accounting system 

During 2007–2008, Tennis Australia’s (TA’s) Finance department completed the national 

roll-out of its new financial Microsoft Dynamics Great Plains (MDGP) system that centralises 

the Company’s accounting systems and provides MAs with access to a shared, web-based 

finance system with data backed up at TA. The initiative has greatly enhanced efficiency 

across the Company and improved the processing of the Company’s finances. 

Tennis Tasmania became the first MA to have its full accounting, payroll and financial 

processing undertaken by TA with Tennis ACT, Tennis NT and Tennis West joining soon after. 

It is envisaged that Tennis SA will bring their accounting and payroll functions across to TA 

in the early part of 2008–2009. This substantially reduces the financial function cost for the 

MAs as it alleviates the need to have a dedicated finance manager or accountant as part of its 

business. The cost to TA is minimal due to the enhanced infrastructure, internal controls and 

robust systems that are already in place.

The new e-requisition system implemented by Procurement. 

Paperless payroll 

TA moved further towards a completely paperless payroll system with the implementation 

of the Meridian software program. Since being used for the first time in July 2007, the new 

system has enhanced the efficiency of the payroll process for administrators by substantially 

simplifying the process. As part of its shared services infrastructure, TA has since implemented 

Meridian at Tennis Victoria, Tennis Tasmania and Tennis ACT. A new online Human Resources 

module – ConnX – was also made available to TA staff in March 2008. 

Dashboard reporting 

In October 2007, TA upgraded to a new online dashboard-style financial reporting system. 

The system presents information to Board Members in an easy to read format with the 

performance of key business areas presented graphically against their respective targets. 

Board Members can quickly and clearly gauge the health of the business through a 

comparison of the main revenue streams against key performance indicators. 

The reports provide concise, relevant and accurate information to assist Board Members in 

discharging their responsibilities. Included is a powerful visual of the financial vitals with 

graphical displays of ticket sales, broadcast rights, sponsorship revenue, investment returns, 

managed investments, debtors, creditors and cash fl ow. Non-financial measurements including 

Aviva Tennis Hot Shots participation levels, player rankings, employee turnover, outstanding 

annual leave, internet traffic p50 and coach membership figures are also presented in the 

same reporting method. Other reporting achievements during the year included the provision 

of online financial reporting to all TA managers. 

A new Constitution 

As outlined in the Corporate Governance section, p40 TA adopted a new Constitution 

at the Annual General Meeting (AGM) in October 2007. The Legal department assisted the 

Constitutional Review Committee in drafting the new Constitution, which features modernised 

language, an updated Board structure and amendments designed to address changing 

business requirements including the use of technology. As part of the overall Constitutional 

review process, the Legal department amended and streamlined the Company’s By-Laws to 

incorporate procedural provisions which were previously contained in the Constitution itself. 

A new online Human Resources module 

– ConnX – was also made available to TA 

staff in March 2008. 

The e-requisition 

system greatly 

enhances the 

efficiency of 

processing 

invoices and 

supplier accounts. 

Online procurement 

During the financial year, TA’s Senior 

Management Team (SMT) endorsed the 

Company’s new procurement guidelines 

including a new online purchase order 

system, which was implemented in July 

2007. Briefing sessions were held to educate 

staff , including all TA Australian Open (AO) 

Series event employees, about the new 

purchasing procedures and a demonstration 

of the e-requisition system was provided. 

The system greatly enhances the efficiency 

of processing invoices and supplier accounts 

through the use of system-generated 

purchase order numbers distributed by 

electronic approval. 

Procurement was also responsible for 

successfully completing the tender, evaluation 

and request for pricing for services such as AO 

hotel accommodation, new court surfaces, 

giant screens, off ice supplies, broadcast 

production and the furniture fit-out of TA’s 

new off ice space. 

Extending partnerships 

In June 2007, the Legal department 

commenced a tender process to appoint 

the Company’s official law firm. The previous 

occupant of the role, Middletons, was 

re-appointed for a further three years until 

2010. Middletons has worked with the Legal 

department exclusively since 2006 and during 

the past year provided assistance on a range 

of legal matters including the sizeable task 

of re-writing TA’s Constitution. 



47

Finance, Legal and Administration continued 

Agreements and advice 

The Legal department provided advice 

to business units across the Company 

and assisted with strategy development 

and various projects. The Legal department 

also produced a range of agreements such 

as venue, accommodation, sponsorship 

and supplier agreements for Australia’s 

Davis Cup tie against Thailand in Townsville. 

Legal also assisted the Commercial Tennis 

department to draft agreements for ‘Tennis 

World – Australia’s Favourite Tennis Centres’. 

This involved preparing relevant terms and 

conditions for coaching, members, court hire 

and casual attendees. 

AO 2008 

To help protect the quality and consistency 

of AO Corporate Hospitality as well as TA’s 

intellectual property, the Legal department 

worked with the Ticketing and Corporate 

Hospitality departments to prevent the 

sale of corporate hospitality packages by 

unauthorised vendors. The Legal department 

also worked with the Sponsorship department 

to set up staff agreements with IBM allowing 

it to work with TA staff members to create 

blogs about employee’s roles, experiences and 

preparations for the tournament. 

Anti-Corruption Program 

In response to the issue of player/tennis 

integrity generally and illegal gambling and 

match fixing specifically, in October 2007 

TA formed a working group to address the 

issue. The group, which comprised members 

from TA Legal, Administration, Media and 

Tennis departments, engaged an external 

professional security consultant (Calibre 

International) to assist in the development and 

implementation of an Anti-Corruption Policy. 

The Legal 

department 

manages the 

Company’s risk 

management 

program. 


The policy led to the establishment of the Tennis Australia Anti-Corruption Commission 

(TAACC) as a key component of its Anti-Corruption Program designed to protect the integrity 

of AO 2008. The program was the first of its kind to be implemented at a Grand Slam event 

and included: 

• the appointment of Mr Brian Collis QC to chair the TAACC 

• the establishment of an independent and confidential Integrity Hotline for those involved 

in the tournament to report alleged corruption 

• sanctions for breaches of the policy, which ranged from substantial fines through to contract 

termination and/or life bans 

• an education and awareness program to run in the lead-up to and throughout the event 

• a ban on unauthorised use of laptops courtside 

• a block on gambling websites on publicly accessible computers at the AO 

• increased security vigilance during the AO including increased restrictions to access of players. 

As part of the program, TA also developed a memorandum of understanding with Victoria 

Police to assist in dealing with any matters of a criminal nature and formed an information 

sharing relationship with several leading betting operators. All individuals accredited at the 

tournament including players, coaches, officials and media were subject to the jurisdiction 

of the program. The Anti-Corruption Program will again be implemented at AO 2009 subject 

to any international developments surrounding the issue. 

Professional bodies 

CoMPS 

The Legal department continued to represent the Company in CoMPS (the Coalition of Major 

Professional Sports) on all issues related to the integral protection and development 

of sport in Australia. 

In March 2007 CoMPS prepared a joint submission to a Senate inquiry into the Alcohol Toll 

Reduction Bill 2007, specifically challenging the proposals which would regulate the manner 

in which alcohol can be advertised in relation to sport and sporting events. CoMPS supported 

Legal assisted in drafting agreements for ‘Tennis World – Australia’s Favourite Tennis Centres’.

the objective of the Bill but questioned whether the proposed mechanisms would achieve the 

desired outcomes of creating a culture of responsible drinking within Australian society and 

reducing the toll on society of excess alcohol consumption. In June 2008, the Senate inquiry 

determined not to recommend passing the Bill. 

CoMPS also liaised with the Victorian Commission for Gambling Regulation during the 

implementation of the Gambling and Racing Legislation Amendment (Sports Betting) Act 

2007. TA assisted in the development of a process for the Commission to approve sporting 

bodies to become the Sports Controlling Body for the purpose of sports betting. The Act, 

which was passed in 2007, requires all betting providers to reach an agreement with the 

Sports Controlling Body before they can off er betting on a sport in Victoria. TA has since 

independently submitted an application to the Victorian Commission for Gambling Regulation 

to become Sports Controlling Body for tennis. 

International 

TA also continued its involvement with the Sports Rights Owners Coalition (SROC), a body 

established to deal with the protection of commercial rights for international sporting 

organisations. During 2007–2008, TA contributed to a SROC case study into the digital piracy 

of sporting events around the world. 

FUTURE 

• Finance will continue to expand TA’s shared services initiative including rolling out the 

Meridian payroll system to all MAs and migrating their accounting function to TA. 

• Legal has commenced the process of establishing the Australian Tennis Foundation, which 

will be charged with the responsibility to assist intellectually disabled athletes, wheelchair 

athletes, Indigenous Australians and people experiencing financial hardship to participate 

in tennis, as well as opportunities for selected high performance athletes. 

• A new web portal for all management and Board reporting will be created. 

• TA will create online systems covering areas including expense management, staff travel 

authorisation, tournament prize money and staff training as well as pre-recorded Webinars. 

• The Legal department will work closely with the EventsCo business unit to establish venue, 

commercial including broadcast and sponsorship, supplier and service agreements for the 

inaugural Brisbane International as well as drafting agreements for all other existing AO 

Series events. The Legal department will also provide general advice and assist with risk 

management for all AO Series events. 

• Finance will develop a financial procedures induction program for all new employees 

to TA as well as develop a presence in all business unit communication sessions. 

• The Legal department will continue to work with IT to source a new software system for 

the electronic storage of contracts to assist in the development of more eff ective contract 

management processes. 

Tennis Australia’s new 

expanded off ice area 

incorporated 

55 

permanent employee 

workstations. 

TA Coach Membership Consultant Karen Clydesdale moves into her new work area. 

CASE STUDY 

STAFF OFFICE MOVES 

Following AO 2008, TA undertook the 

first phase of a multi-million dollar facility 

upgrade at Melbourne Park. The centrepiece 

of the project was the building of a new 

Australian Open Player Restaurant, which 

is due for completion prior to AO 2009. 

The first phase of the upgrade involved the 

construction of a new off ice space for over 

half of TA’s full-time staff . TA’s Administration 

department led the project management 

of the off ice development supported by the 

Site Operations team and Melbourne and 

Olympic Parks Trust (MOPT). 

In preparation for the building of the player 

restaurant, the AO player gym was moved to 

a more suitable location that was central for 

both the players and year-round operations. 

During AO 2009, the player gym and 

restaurant will be located within a central area 

to enhance the overall player experience. 

TA’s new expanded off ice area incorporated 

55 permanent employee work stations as well 

as workspace for an additional 16 temporary 

tournament staff . The off ice move enabled the 

various Tennis business unit departments and 

the Operations team to be brought together 

in the one space to work in a productive 

open-plan off ice environment. Additionally, 

staff no longer have to be re-located during 

the AO tournament period and TA now 

has two distinct off ice areas compared to 

previously having several satellite spaces 

around the facility. The new off ice area caters 

for more than 70 staff and includes three new 

meeting rooms, break-out work areas and a 

staff kitchen. The move of staff into the new 

facility was seamlessly completed in a matter 

of days in July 2008, with involvement from 

the Site, Administration and IT departments. 



49

50 


RISK MANAGEMENT 

TA’s Legal department manages the 

Company’s risk management program, 

reporting to the Company’s Audit and 

Risk Committee on matters relating to 

risk management, contingency planning, 

risk management audits and compliance. 

Managing risk at major events 

During the financial year, the Legal 

department implemented the AO 2008 risk 

management program. This process involved 

consultations prior to the tournament with 

each business unit to review, validate and 

update their existing risk register. A risk 

management program was also implemented 

for Australia’s home Davis Cup tie in 

Townsville, which involved assessment of 

risks for areas including operations, IT, media 

and administration. 


AO Series risk management 

A risk management program was implemented for the 2008 Davis Cup tie in Townsville. 

The Legal department provided Member Associations with template risk management 

documents including risk registers and checklists to assist them in enhancing their own risk 

management programs. These templates were also designed to assist relevant MAs to prepare 

for the AO Series events. 

Expanding risk management enterprise-wide 

In June 2007, the Legal department engaged an external consultant, Reliance Risk, to assist 

in the expansion of the Company’s risk management program enterprise-wide. Previously, 

TA’s program had focused predominantly on the AO and other tennis events including the 

AO Series, Fed Cup and Davis Cup ties and overseas tours. After undertaking a review of the 

Company’s risk management practices during 2007–2008, the Legal department recognised 

the need to manage other risks faced by TA on a day to day basis. 

The 12-month project, which is due for completion in May 2009, will deliver a risk management 

framework that will set out how TA manages its risks enterprise-wide. While TA’s Legal 

department will continue to manage the Company’s enterprise-wide risk management 

program, each business unit will also develop its own risk register to support and manage 

its own risks. TA’s existing significant risk register will also be subsequently updated and 

cross-referenced against the individual business units’ risk registers. Moving forward, an 

Events Risk Committee will also be set-up to develop a more eff ective risk reporting process 

and accountability structure. The system is designed to ensure eff ective Board insight and 

oversight and will include progress reporting to the Board of Directors via the TA Audit 

and Risk Committee on all risks aff ecting TA. 

The new online 

dashboard-style 

financial reporting 

system presents 

information to Board 

Members in an easy 

to read format. 

INTERNET TRAFFIC SOURCES FOR tennis.com.au 

FOR FEBRUARY 2008 

2 DIRECT TRAFFIC 

61,424 (31.4%) 

SEARCH ENGINES 

26.2 %31.4 

40.4 

Table 3.1 An example of the performance 

of key business areas presented graphically 

for the TA Board. 

78,498 (40.4%) 

REFERRING SITES 

51,183 (26.2%) 

OTHER 

3972 (2%)

Marketing, Media 

and e-Communications 

An example of one of TA’s marketing campaigns during 2007–2008. 

It’s a tradition we pass on to our 

sons and daughters, who pick up 

racquets from the time they 

can walk, bringing forth a new 

generation of Lavers and Rafters, 

Courts and Goolagongs. 


Marketing, Media and e-Communications 51


Objectives 

Strategy 

52 

Grassroots 

EventsCo 

Grassroots 

Grow brands that attract global sponsors and strengthen 

the relationship with our customers and stakeholders. 

Leverage the Australian Open brand to strengthen 

the Australian Open Series and Tennis brands. 

More people playing tennis more frequently and for longer. 

More people attending tennis events more frequently. 

More people viewing tennis on TV more frequently 

and for longer. 

Become a leading sports and entertainment broadcaster. 

Leverage the Australian Open’s position as the Grand Slam 

of Asia/Pacific to expand our business in the region. 

Ensure the wide range of internal and external stakeholders in 

the tennis community are engaged with the common goal of making 

the image of tennis in Australia more relevant and more compelling. 

tennis.com.au 

Restructure 

The Marketing department was reformed during the course of 2007–2008. Formerly, 

it included the key revenue streams of Ticketing, Sponsorship, Corporate Hospitality, 

Merchandise and Broadcast. Following the attainment of key goals, such as a new pricing 

structure for tickets and renewals of major broadcasting and sponsorship contracts, p58–60 

these revenue streams moved to a separate Commercial business unit, headed by John Clark. 

p26 The Marketing department’s focus became fully centered on developing the Australian 

Open (AO), Tennis and AO Series brands and communicating with our customers through a 

myriad of multi-media channels. AO Membership moved from AO Tennis into Marketing with 

the objective to develop a single source database segmented into Tennis Australia’s (TA’s) 

many and varied customers. The Media department continued to work with the media yearround 

to promote the sport, most notably TA’s events, players and programs. The new 

e-Communications department delivered online and offl ine products including websites, 

e-newsletters and a raft of publishing titles. 

People’s choice 


The greatest measure of Marketing’s success in establishing tennis as the sport of choice 

across Australia was the independent Sweeney Sports survey conducted between October 

2007 and April 2008, which named tennis as the sport people were most interested in and 

the sport they most wanted to watch on television. This represented a jump from third 

position achieved in 2005–2006.

The Veronicas showcased finals day in Garden Square at AO 2008. 

Canvassing 1000 people between the ages of 16–65 the report found: 

• Tennis is now the most widely watched sport on TV (53 per cent) followed by cricket 

and Australian Rules (both at 49 per cent). 

• 2007 has seen an increase in TV viewing for both tennis (up five percentage points) 

and swimming (up four percentage points). 

• Tennis is the sport people are most interested in (57 per cent) followed by swimming 

(55 per cent), outdoor cricket (53 per cent) and Australian Rules football (52 per cent). 

The financial year saw the further growth of TA’s three major 

brands: Tennis, the Australian Open and Australian Open Series. 

The AO brand was reignited with the complete transformation of Melbourne Park to the vibrant 

blue tones depicted in the modernised AO logo. Not only were 31 courts resurfaced using 

the cushioned acrylic Plexicushion in a True Blue tone, but blue re-energised the whole event 

from rubbish cans and precinct signage to merchandise in the AO Shop, accreditation passes, 

programs and PowerPoint presentations. Many international stars of tennis attending the 

Grand Slam of Asia/Pacific dressed in blue or colours that contrasted well with the new surface 

such as eventual men’s champion Novak Djokovic and women’s champion Maria Sharapova, 

coolly marching to the final in crisp white tennis clothes. The tournament lived up to theme for 

the 2008 event – Where the World Comes To Play. The Veronicas showcased finals day in Garden 

Square and many records were broken. These included: 

• The biggest single day/night Grand Slam attendance at 62,885 on day four of the tournament. 

This broke the record of 61,083 achieved by the US Open on Saturday 1 September 2007. 

• Record attendance for the total event at 605,735 up from 554,858 the previous year. This marked 

the ninth consecutive year that the tournament attracted more than half a million patrons. 

• Live sites in Shanghai, Sydney and Melbourne attracted a combined estimated attendance 

of 1,387,338. 

• The AO was the biggest single news and sports story across Australia during the fortnight 

with 71,912 separate items broadcast on television or radio, or published online or in 

newspapers. 

• Host broadcaster Seven Network dominated over summer with nine of the 20 most viewed 

programs featuring the tennis. 

• The men’s final was the most watched program with 2.45 million viewers domestically 

and a record global television audience of potentially over 1.9 billion viewers for the 

duration of the tournament. 

• The official website – australianopen.com – attracted 7,456,693 unique users, up from 

4.7 million in 2006–2007. 

Tennis is the sport 

people are most 

interested in 

57 % 

INTEREST 

TENNIS 

% 

Swimming 

Cricket - Outdoor 


Soccor 

Rugby League 

Rugby Union 


57 

55 

53 

52 

46 

42 

38 

35 

0 10 20 30 40 50 60 

TV VIEWING 

TENNIS 

% 


Cricket - Outdoor 

Swimming 

Soccor 

Rugby League 

Rugby Union 


53 

49 

49 

43 

42 

39 

35 

34 

0 10 20 30 40 50 60 

Table 4.1 Interest in sport. 

The 2007–2008 Sweeney Sports Report shows 

tennis as the number one sport of interest and 

television viewing. 



53


continued 

Live sites 

The first AO live site in Shanghai ran from 

25–27 January, featuring live bands, hip hop 

dancers, on-site tennis courts and cheer 

squads. Five live telecasts at Century Square 

were broadcast on two giant LED screens 

and despite it being the coldest winter in 40 

years, the venue proved popular with local 

tennis fans and the passing parade along 

Nanjing Road pedestrian mall. Live sites were 

again staged at Circular Quay, Sydney, and 

Federation Square, Melbourne. 

Brand tennis 

After successfully launching the new 

Tennis brand in 2007 with a revised ‘Tennis 

– Australia’s Favourite’ logo, the next 12 

months were spent activating and promoting 

the sport with clear, consistent campaigns. 

These included: 

• Promoting tennis in Federation Square 

during the AO featuring a world first Totem 

Tennis World Record of seven hours, 35 

minutes continuous play. 

• Delivering a national marketing campaign 

for Coach Membership. 

• Creating national guidelines for brand 

Tennis. 

• Providing communication tools such as 

posters, emails and brochures for individual 

programs, for example, Tennis Talent Search. 

• Assisting Community Tennis with 

new Aviva Tennis Hot Shots television 

and print campaign. 

• Rebranding AO Tennis to Tennis World 

– Australia’s Favourite Tennis Centres. 

• Working with Member Associations 

to ensure consistent approach to all 

marketing campaigns. 

AO Membership 


AO Membership attracted 3004 members with the first ever off er of priority booking to the AO 

included as a benefit. As part of a AUD$69 package, members also received a complimentary 

ground pass to attend any day of the AO, access to the VIP members’ lounge during the event, 

discount on merchandise and a free Tennis Workout session or court hire session at Melbourne 

Park. These benefits will expand in 2008–2009 with the focus on retention of members and 

expansion of membership numbers. 

The AO website attracted a record 7.4 million unique users. 

Marketing produced Tennis-branded participation 

certificates for an Aviva Tennis Hot Shots fun day 

competition. 

Developing 

e-Communications 

Record ratings 

with an increase of 

55 % 

The new e-Communications team was 

established to grow, develop and consolidate 

online and offl ine communications. A large 

focus of the department was to further 

improve TA’s web platforms, in particular 

tennis.com.au, which will undergo 

extensive redevelopment in 2008–2009 

and a streamlining of its 7000-plus pages. 

These include 300 club websites, eight 

Member Association websites and AO 

Series tournament sites. Website traffic 

for tennis.com.au grew significantly over 

the period, averaging 85,000 absolute 

unique visitors a month, up from 66,000 

at the start of the financial year. 

Live sites in Shanghai, 

Sydney and Melbourne 

attracted a combined 

estimated attendance 

1,387,338 

of 

The first AO live site in Shanghai off ered visitors a unique tennis experience.

The official AO tournament website 

enjoyed record ratings. 

tennis.com.au metrics 

Metric 2007–2008 2006–2007 Percentage increase 

Visits 2,913,493 1,925,925 51.28 % 

Unique visitors 1,022,123 795,688 28.46 % 

Page views 9,018,847 7,278,988 23.90 % 

Time on site 3:55 minutes 3:21 minutes 16.80 % 

Table 4.2 TA’s website experienced healthy traffic. 

australianopen.com 

The official AO tournament website – australianopen.com – enjoyed record ratings with 

7,456,693 unique users, up from 4.7 million in 2006–2007, and 218 million page views, an 

increase of 55 per cent. The site introduced fan-friendly features such as the AO Acer and 

Fan of the Day photos, which allowed fans to send in comments and images. This proved 

so popular, subsequent Grand Slam tournament websites at the 2008 French Open and 

Wimbledon opened the door to moderated fan commenting. The most popular women’s 

biography on the AO website was Serbian Ana Ivanovic with 888,126 page views and the 

men’s was Frenchman Jo-Wilfried Tsonga with 773,475 page views. 

Top 10 visitor countries to australianopen.com 

1. United States: 7,048,290 visits 

2. Australia: 4,942,549 

3. United Kingdom: 1,279,243 

4. Canada: 1,210,149 

Traffic overview 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 

Reach (volume) 

Table 4.3 australianopen.com website statistics 2003–2008. 

% CHG 2007– 

2008 TREND 

Page views (millions) 78 81 106 149 141 218 55% 

Visits (millions) 9.8 10.9 17.1 18.1 22.6 30.8 36% 

Unique visitors (millions) 1.76 1.77 2.95 4.29 4.74 7. 45 57% 

Acquisition (growth) 

Visits from search 

engines (millions) 

% Visits from search 

engines 

Visits from commercial 

referral (millions) 

% Visits from 

commercial referrals 

Retention (loyalty) 

Repeat unique visitors 

(millions) 

0.696 0.843 1.523 0.256 0.579 4.062 602% 

7.1% 7.7% 8.9% 1.4% 2.6% 13.2% 10.6% 

0.399 0.708 0.783 0.520 0.555 1.219 120% 

4.1% 6.5% 4.6% 2.9% 2.5% 4.0% 1.5% 

0.686 0.699 1.172 1.560 1.759 2.407 37% 

% Repeat unique visitors 39% 39% 40% 36% 37% 34% -3% 

Visits/visitor 5.60 6.16 5.81 4.23 4.77 4.39 -8% 

Stickiness 

Average page views/ 

visitor 

Avg time on site/ 

visitor 

5. France: 852,505 

6. Switzerland: 720,693 

7. Germany: 687,243 

8. Poland: 643,759 

9. China: 621,158 

10. Spain: 592,337 

42.36 39.64 35.80 34.70 29.70 31.07 5% 

79.11 73.64 78.60 65.84 75.92 68.41 -10% 

TennisWorld 

The TennisWorld newsletter moved to a more 

sophisticated platform enabling advanced 

analysis, design, delivery and production. 

Subscriber numbers grew from 53,969 

to 78,023 at the end of the financial year. 

The e-newsletter was delivered weekly 

instead of fortnightly, with a special daily 

edition produced throughout the AO. The 

e-newsletter system was later rolled out 

to the Player Development Update (3100 

subscribers) and CoachesWorld e-newsletter 

(3300 subscribers). A free SMS service was 

trialled at AO 2008 providing daily news and 

results updates. Using a simple subscriber 

registration, AO SMS attracted 2000 

subscribers, who were surveyed after the 

tournament. Of the 307 respondents, 73.3 

per cent said they were ‘very likely’ and 23.1 

per cent said they were ‘quite likely’ 

to subscribe to an SMS service in 2009. 

Blue book 

The publishing wing of e-Communications 

produced an attractive picture book to 

commemorate the ‘greatest Australian Open 

ever’. Released in May, this was distributed 

to all staff , sold through the online shop and 

presented as a gift to sponsors, corporate 

clients and Grand Slam counterparts. In 

addition, TA’s 2006–2007 Annual Report 

received a third consecutive gold award from 

the Australasian Reporting Awards. 

GOLD 

AWARD 

ESTABLISHED 1950 


Marketing, Media and e-Communications continued 

55


continued 

The AO launch was a huge success with the 

dramatic reveal of the new blue Plexicushion 

surface on centre court at Rod Laver Arena. 

Lleyton Hewitt against the clock at the AO. 

4:34 am 

56 

CASE STUDY 

MANAGING THE MEDIA 

A record 1654 media representatives (up from 1367 in 2007) produced a record amount 

of coverage across print, radio, television and the internet at AO 2008. This representation 

included 990 Australian media and 664 internationals. TA’s public relations strategy looked 

to optimise the new contemporary AO brand and blue court colour. 

The official launch began with guests gathered on centre stage at Rod Laver Arena, curtained 

off from centre court. The function moved towards a dramatic reveal of the court resplendent 

in the new blue colour scheme and futuristic court furniture, with talented young players of 

the future hitting up. The media team developed a campaign around the tearing up of the old 

green Rebound Ace courts and filmed more than 17 hours of time lapse vision in Rod Laver 

Arena, producing a short, quirky video which led into the launch reveal. 

The biggest challenge regarding the change to Plexicushion was to educate people that 

the court surface was still cushioned acrylic and that the pace range would remain the same. 

Plexicushion attracted plenty of scrutiny in the lead-up events and was the subject 

of overwhelming endorsement from the players. 

The introduction of integrity measures for AO 2008 also attracted interest given the amount 

of worldwide speculation on corruption several months prior to the event. 

Much of the pre-event talk centered around Swiss No.1 Roger Federer, who arrived in Australia 

unwell. Australian Casey Dellacqua’s run to the fourth round captured the imagination of the 

Australian media and dominated domestic coverage. The all-glamour women’s final between 

Maria Sharapova and Ana Ivanovic was lauded around the world and sat perfectly with the 

contemporised brand of the AO. 

Frenchman Jo-Wilfried Tsonga commanded world headlines with his breakout run to the final 

and the demise of Federer gave rise to the brilliance of the incredibly determined Serbian, 

Novak Djokovic, who became a popular first-time Grand Slam winner. 

The middle Saturday was an epic after a full day of rain and some marathon matches led to 

a very late start for what turned out to be a classic battle between Australian Lleyton Hewitt 

and Greek Cypriot Marcos Baghdatis. The incredible five-setter finished at 4:34 am setting 

a world record in Grand Slam finishes. 

The new blue courts at AO 2008 provided a striking background for eventual women’s champion, Maria Sharapova. 


The all-glamour 

women’s final. 

FUTURE 

• Drive towards a personalised, contemporary and uplifting relationship with customers 

and stakeholders. 

• Continue to build our position as the Grand Slam of Asia/Pacific by becoming the most 

watched Grand Slam tournament in the region and by conducting major marketing 

campaigns across Asia. 

• Use the internet as a key media vehicle in our growing customer relationship. Refocus 

on website development and the provision of content second to none in the sports and 

entertainment world. 

• Grow attendance to our events in ever increasing numbers and provide an additional 

entertainment that attracts more people to our major events.

Commercial 

The Commercial business unit works towards growing 

the financial resources of tennis by strengthening Tennis 

Australia’s knowledge of its stakeholders, and building 

tennis products around the needs of the customers, major 

sponsors and media partners. 

Kia Motors Corporation re-signs as major sponsor of the AO. 


Commercial 58 

Sponsor acknowledgements 61 

Commercial 57

Commercial 

Objectives 

Strategy 

EventsCo 

EventsCo 

EventsCo 

EventsCo 

Identify and develop new revenue opportunities. 

Grow existing revenue base. 

Grow customer base. 

Implement a new sponsorship sales strategy. 

Continue to manage costs. 

Strengthen relationships with all of our broadcast partners. 

Strengthen relationships with suppliers, retailers and licensees. 

Reignite the Corporate Hospitality packages on off er through product development. 

Develop strategies with Marketing to maximise ticket sales for Australian Open and Australian Open Series. 

The French apparel 

giant Lacoste signed 

a multi-million dollar 

deal to provide more 

than 1150 uniforms 

for linespeople, 

off icials and ballkids 

at AO 2009. 

Integrity of the brand 


The Commercial business unit works towards growing the financial resources of tennis 

by strengthening Tennis Australia’s (TA’s) knowledge of its stakeholders, and building tennis 

products around the needs of the customers, major sponsors and media partners while 

ensuring the integrity of the brand is maintained. 

The other focus is on customer service and ensuring TA works with the brand and doesn’t 

overcommercialise, but rather strives for a happy medium, still utilising the commercial 

attractiveness of the sport and events to drive revenue. 

Further Sponsorship developments 

In addition to Kia Motors Corporation extending its multi-million dollar sponsorship of the 

Australian Open (AO) as major sponsor until 2013 and the renewal of nine of 10 sponsorship 

contracts, the Sponsorship department had many highlights during 2007–2008. 

A partnership commenced with Eurosport and ESPN Star Sports, while Fox Sports 

recommitted. Important new suppliers such as Nike came on board showcasing their range 

of products in a retail superstore located on the concourse at Melbourne Park during the AO. 

The French apparel giant Lacoste signed a multi-million dollar deal to provide more than 

1150 uniforms for linespeople, officials and ballkids at AO 2009. 

Once again, Garnier World in Garden Square proved to be a hit with more than 28,500 fans 

passing through its doors culminating in Garnier Girls’ Day, when more than 2000 patrons 

visited the site. Over the fortnight 44 staff members provided 10,500 mini facials, 11,000 hair 

styles, 7000 massages and used 42,750 bobby pins. The free gift bag (worth over AUD$50), 

which contained shampoo, hair product, sunscreen, a tanning kit and other items, was one 

of the hottest items at AO 2008.

Inside Garnier World. 

Garnier announced the winners of its Rising Star awards, Jason Kubler (Qld) and Alex 

Nancarrow (ACT). They were both presented with an AUD$10,000 scholarship by Garnier CEO 

Mark Tucker, with tennis identities Alicia Molik and Ken Rosewall on hand at the annual Garnier 

Girls’ Day breakfast. 

MasterCard delivered AO Radio, with MasterCard holders receiving a free radio allowing them 

to tune in while on site. In keeping with MasterCard’s “Priceless” campaign, a competition was 

held, off ering winners the opportunity to watch the men’s semifinal and women’s semifinal 

from the radio booth – the best seat in the house. 

Broadcast increase 

The AO had an incredible global TV reach of 1.9 billion viewers. AO 2008 was shown for 6700 

hours with broadcasts available in 425 million households across 157 countries. It was broadcast 

for 3416 hours in the Asia/Pacific region – the most hours of any region. The French terrestrial 

broadcaster France 3 drew the highest individual audience of 4.4 million during the men’s final. 

This was higher than the 2007 French Open men’s final in France. Fox Sports showed 305 hours 

and had two million viewers with the host broadcaster – the Seven Network – filling nine of 

the top 20 most watched programs over summer. The men’s final ranked number one with 

2.47 million viewers. Case study p60 

Broadcast is looking to grow even further and a direct deal into China has been signed with 

Yuantai Advertising. 

TA will move the women’s final to a night time slot for AO 2009 which will guarantee more 

exposure in the Australian, European and Asian markets. This sits within Commercial’s strategic 

focus of daring to be diff erent and to reach the consumer. 

AO 2008 was shown for 

6700 hours with broadcasts 

available in 425 million households 

across 157 countries. 

28,500 

Garnier World fans 

Garnier Rising Star award recipients 

Jason Kubler (left) and Alex Nancarrow. 

CROWD ATTENDANCE 

620,000 

600,000 

580,000 

560,000 

540,000 

520,000 

500,000 

480,000 

460,000 

521,691 

Demand for tickets 

Ticket prices for Rod Laver Arena and 

Vodafone Arena were increased for AO 2008 

while ground pass prices remained the same. 

This year for the first time Vodafone Arena 

was ticketed as a fully reserved venue and this 

decision proved popular with fans with most 

sessions being sold out prior to each day’s 

play. It also ensured that the long queues of 

previous years diminished and patrons knew 

they were guaranteed a seat for the whole 

session of play. Based on this success, TA will 

add additional sessions at Hisense Arena 

(formerly Vodafone Arena) so more people 

can experience watching the best players 

in a stadium atmosphere. 

The AO radio booth 

at Rod Laver Arena. 

543,873 

550,550 

2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 

Table 5.1 AO attendance 2004–2008. 

554,858 


Commercial 

605,735 

59

Commercial continued 

Following a review of package sales, TA will 

implement a range of diff erent packages at 

both Rod Laver and Hisense Arenas for AO 

2009. These packages will be designed to align 

with the changing needs of our customers. 

Ground pass prices will remain the same. 

Our licensed Tour Operators Program, both 

domestically and internationally, was reviewed 

prior to AO 2008. As a result of this review, 

an increased number of operators were 

introduced along with other initiatives that 

resulted in an increase in revenue and sales. 

We will continue to review this area of our 

business with the aim to broaden our market, 

particularly in Asia, US, UK and Europe. 

Market research results 

Following an extensive market research 

program involving more than 300 corporate 

clients, TA has been able to review the 

product off ering through the hospitality 

program and off er packages more suited to 

the requirements of the client. The program 

was conducted in three phases including 

qualitative research prior to the tournament, 

post tournament research and quantative 

research post tournament. 

The results showed that the dining rooms 

and service along with the atmosphere on 

the Corporate Oval were areas that required 

review. TA identified the critical need to be 

in the market place as early as possible to 

ensure clients are extending invitations to 

their valued guests well in advance of the 

tournament and as such Corporate Hospitality 

packages officially went on sale 16 July 2008. 

Merchandise strength 

The strength of the Tennis and AO brands led 

to a 25 per cent increase in merchandise sales 

on site in 2007–2008 and has enabled TA to 

license its range to Target department stores 

nationally. During the tournament, 18,099 

official towels, 29,389 caps/visors and 7483 

can coolers were sold. 

Some of the dessert available to corporate clients and a Gold Corporate ticket. 


The first week of the event was extremely successful, with TA looking at next year improving 

activity in the second week to improve foot traffic on site and further increase merchandise 

sales. New point-of-sale equipment will be installed prior to the AO in the Pro Shop to 

maximise sales as the hype of the AO hits customers before the tournament. In the coming 

months, Merchandise will be working closely with architects on the new shop design for AO 

2009 with a focus on improving the ceiling and fl ooring. Planning will also continue on the 

new website for the total merchandise range to be launched in October. 

FUTURE BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY 

A draft Business Development Strategy has been prepared that outlines the key area of 

business retention and opportunities for new sales for Sponsorship. This work researches a 

range of categories that are not currently covered across AO and TA properties. TA is currently 

conducting a strategic review of the sponsorship business and this will incorporate all 

properties and the sponsorship structure. 

CASE STUDY 

WORLDWIDE COVERAGE 

TA has a contract with the Seven Network to provide the host broadcast and the world feed 

of the AO each year. The host broadcast comprises production of seven individual courts 

featuring live play, replays and graphics/scores which is known as the ‘dirty feed’ and live play, 

replays and no graphics/scores known as the ‘clean feed’. Each court has varying production 

levels depending on its importance. Broadcast rights holders have the option of coming on 

site and enhancing the host broadcast feeds or taking the world feed. 

Broadcasters who elect to be on site fill out a host broadcaster rate card outlining their 

technical and production requirements. The Seven Network then builds a portable 

production facility according to their specifications. The advantage of being on site is that the 

broadcaster can mould the host broadcast feeds into its own production by adding their own 

commentators, graphics/scores, colour stories and so on. Broadcasters are also able to select 

which matches they wish to televise from the seven available feeds. 

The world feed is a single feed, distributed via satellite by TA for broadcast rights holders who 

elect not to come on site. The world feed has its own production and commentators and each 

day TA receives the broadcasters match requests and then decides which matches will be 

telecast on the world feed that day. A broadcaster can request a match that is not appearing 

on the world feed via a unilateral feed that is distributed via a separate satellite path. 

Broadcasters have to add their own commentary from their studios on unilateral feeds. 

TA also produces a one hour highlights program after each of the 25 individual sessions. 

These are distributed two hours after the completion of the session to on site broadcasters 

and via satellite on the world feed. 

TA also produces and distributes its own digital content. Broadcast has a video broadband 

service on our official website – australianopen.com – called AOTV that off ers various levels 

of content depending on the territory you are in. This includes simultaneous live streaming of 

all televised courts, long and short form video on demand – including match highlights, press 

conferences, interviews, colour stories and archive content. TA produces and sells short form 

content to broadband and mobile clients and also licences news distribution companies to 

provide news access footage to non-rights holders around the world. 

25 increase in merchandise sales. 

% 

Merchandise on sale at the AO Shop.

Sponsor acknowledgements 

(1 July 2007–30 June 2008) 

Tennis Australia Partners, Sponsors and Suppliers 

Australian 

Paralympic Committee 

Wheelchair Athlete 

Development and Paralympic 

and World Team Cup Supporter. 

Australian Sports 

Commission/Australian 

Institute of Sport 

Sports Development Grant 

for Participation 

and AIS Tennis Program. 

Australian Davis Cup 

Tennis Foundation 

Channel Seven 

Off icial Host Broadcaster 

of Tennis Australia. 

Optus 

Naming rights to Optus Team 

Tennis Australia which includes 

naming rights to the Optus 

Australian Davis Cup team, the 

Optus Fed Cup team, the Optus 

Australian Junior Davis Cup and 

the Optus Australian Junior Fed 

Cup team. Optus is also an off icial 

partner of the Australian Open 

and the off icial telecommunications 

provider of the Australian Open, 

sponsor of the Australian Open 

Wheelchair Championships, 

naming rights sponsor of the 

Optus Junior Tour and the Optus 

High Performance players. 

Wilson 

Off icial tennis ball and equipment 

provider. Off icial ball Pro Circuit, 

Optus Junior Tour, other player 

development programs and 

Australian Open Series events. 

Qantas Airways Limited 

Off icial Airline of Tennis Australia. 

Plexicushion 

Off icial Court Surface. 

Sport 927 Radio 

Off icial Partner of the Australian 

Wheelchair Championships. 

Australian Open Partners, Sponsors and Suppliers 

2008 Australian Open 

Series Events’ 

Major Sponsors 

Medibank Private 

Medibank International 

Sydney, Olympic Park Tennis 

Centre, Sydney. 

Moorilla Wines, 

Events Tasmania 

Moorilla Hobart 

International, 

Hobart, Tasmania. 

Next Generation Clubs, 

Australian Major Events 

Next Generation 

Adelaide International, 

Memorial Drive, Adelaide, 

South Australia. 

Mondial Assistance, 

Queensland Events 

Corporation, 

Gold Coast City Council 

Mondial Australian 

Women’s Hardcourts, 

Royal Pines Resort, 

Gold Coast, Queensland. 

Australian Open 2008 

Sponsors: 

Major Sponsor 

Kia Motors 

Off icial Supplier 

of Motor Vehicles. 

Associate Sponsors 

Garnier 

Off icial Supplier of Skin Care, 

Hair Care and Body Products. 

GE Money 

Off icial Lender. 

Partners 

Rolex 

Off icial Timekeeper and Timepiece. 

IBM 

Off icial Information Technology Partner. 

Optus 

Off icial Telecommunications Provider. 

Aviva 

Off icial Insurance, Superannuation 

and Investment Services Provider. 

State Government of Victoria 

Sponsors 

Australia Post 

Off icial Supplier Expedited Mail 

Services and Parcel Services. 

Coca-Cola 

Off icial Soft Drink 

and Sports Drink Supplier. 

Evian 

Off icial Still Water Supplier. 

Heineken 

Off icial Beer Supplier. 

Qantas Airways Limited 

Off icial Airline of the Australian Open. 

Wilson 

Off icial Tennis Ball 

and Equipment Provider. 

MasterCard 

Off icial Card. 


61


(1 July 2007–30 June 2008) 

Official Suppliers 

Fox FM 

Official FM Radio Station. 

Nintendo 

Official Gaming Console. 

Cadbury 

Official Supplier Confectionery. 

City of Melbourne 

Herald Sun 

Official Newspaper. 

Nike 

Official Supplier of On-court Apparel 

and Footwear. 

Living Edge Furniture Rentals 

Official Supplier of Prestige Furniture. 

Melbourne & Olympic Parks Trust 

Official Supplier Venue Services. 

Middletons Lawyers 

Official Law Firm. 

Nestle Peters 

Official Supplier Ice Cream. 

News Custom Publishing 

Publisher Official Tournament 

Program and Daily Schedule. 

Jacobs Creek 

Official Wine Supplier. 

Sanford 

Official Supplier Markers. 

Staging Connections 

Official Audio Visual, Styling 

& Production Services Supplier. 

TCL 

Official Supplier Televisions. 

3AW 

Official AM Radio Station. 

Konica Minolta 

Official Supplier Office Equipment. 

Canningvale 

Official Towel Supplier. 

Aquila 

Official Supplier Men’s 

and Women’s Fashion Shoes. 

National Foods 

Official Supplier Milk. 

Rudy Project 

Official Supplier Sunglasses. 

Top Serve 

Official Stringing Service 

and Stringing Machine. 

Official Hotel Suppliers 

Bayview on the Park, Melbourne 

Official Junior Player Hotel. 


Grand Hyatt, Melbourne 

Official Player Hotel. 

Hilton on the Park, 

Melbourne 

Official Media, Broadcast 

and Officials’ Hotel. 

Park Hyatt, Melbourne 

Official Tournament Guests’ 

Hotel. 

The Langham, Melbourne 


Hotel. 

Sofitel, Melbourne 


Hotel. 

Official Broadcast Partners 

Domestic Broadcasters: 

Seven Network 

Free-to-air TV/Host Broadcaster. 

Fox Sports 

Subscription TV. 

International Broadcasters: 

ART 

Pan-Middle East. 

ESPN International 

Central and South America. 

ESPN 

North America. 

ESPN Star Sports 

Pan-Asia (excl. China and Japan). 

Eurosport 

Pan-Europe. 

Sky New Zealand 

New Zealand. 

Supersport 

Pan-Africa. 

WOWOW 

Japan. 

FIJI TV 

Fiji. 

CCTV Golf and Tennis Channel 

China. 

Shanghai TV 

China. 

Beijing TV 

China. 

Guandong TV 

China. 

CSPN Media 

China.

Human Resources 

The Human Resources business unit 

enables Tennis Australia employees to 

maximise their personal and professional 

contribution to the Company. 

TA staff warm-up for their first hit on the newly resurfaced centre court at Rod Laver Arena. 


Human Resources 64 

Our team – staff photos 68 

Organisational structure 70 

Human Resources 63


Objectives 

Strategy 

64 

Alignment 

Alignment 

Alignment 

Improve processes and systems. 

Improve communication across the Company. 

Develop stronger and more consistent leadership. 

Deliver HR strategies and programs that make a real diff erence and 

a measurable contribution to the achievement of Tennis Australia’s (TA’s) 

strategic priorities. 

Be recognised as a highly-regarded employer in the sport and 

recreation sector, attracting, developing and retaining the best people 

to enable the delivery of TA’s strategic priorities. 

Engage and align the TA team behind the Company’s purpose, 

formula for success, its promise and strategy. 

Provide a more stimulating and enjoyable work environment. 

The financial year 

activities fl owed 

directly from 

the Employee 

Engagement 

Project, most 

notably in areas 

covering leadership, 

communication 

and the delivery of 

improved systems 

and processes. 

Tennis Australia growth 

A key goal of the HR business unit is to attract and retain the best staff by providing a great 

working environment. This process began in earnest two years ago when the Company had 

101 employees. During the financial year, Tennis Australia’s (TA’s) ranks swelled to 145, with 

hundreds more joining for the best Australian Open (AO) ever. Sophisticated programs and 

services were delivered to ensure TA’s workforce became fully professional and equipped to 

deal with the rigours of delivering a Grand Slam tournament and growing tennis, the sport, 

52 weeks of the year. 

Engagement 

In 2007–2008, HR responded to feedback provided by the Hewitt and Associates Employee 

Engagement Project which involved extensive staff surveys. HR and the Senior Management 

Team (SMT) followed up with a series of forums with the Chief Executive Off icer, Steve Wood 

and by multiple staff communication sessions. 

The financial year activities fl owed directly from the Employee Engagement Project, most 

notably in areas covering leadership, communication and the delivery of improved systems 

and processes. 

Developing leaders 


The Empowering our Leaders for Success program was delivered to three groups, starting with 

all managers at TA, who were assigned a mentor from the SMT. With 25 participants in each 

group, graduates of the first program became mentors of subsequent leadership trainees. 

A third program involved MA managers and supervisors, who began a phone-based coaching 

relationship with TA graduates. This led to improved networking between employees and 

a better understanding of departmental roles. Using the services of Inspired Workforce 

Performers, one-day training opportunities were off ered to all staff covering the subjects 

of ‘infl uencing and persuasion’ and time management.

Systems and processes 

The IBM Business Systems Review was established to clearly identify main areas of deficiency, 

and led to the expansion of the IT department from six employees to 13. Chris Yates joined 

the SMT as Chief Information Off icer, and a large investment was made in IT infrastructure. 

HR’s Information Systems (HRIS) entered a new level of sophistication with the introduction 

of iLearn, an online induction program. iLearn minimised needless face-to-face training, 

providing instead, specific interactive induction content for a variety of positions. 

AO tournament staff , including full-time TA employees, were required to ‘pass’ a generic course, 

and future modules will be customised to specific areas. For this inaugural online induction, 

HR created an assessment activity modelled on the AO tournament where learners progress 

through the tournament (starting at the qualifying round and ending at the Grand Slam final). 

Learners are required to correctly answer a series of questions each round in order to progress 

to the next round of the tournament. In 2008–2009, HR will expand the use of the online 

e-learning tool to deliver the TA Induction. 

ConnX, an online employee self-service system, was installed in December–January 2008. 

This application enables employees to view personal information, leave details, pay 

advices and Company information through an online portal. Managers have the ability to 

view employee data including qualifications, employment history, leave information and 

performance management information. The introduction of the system made many paperbased 

processes redundant, for example, submitting leave requests and distributing pay 

advices. In 2008–2009, TA’s Performance Development Review process will be delivered online 

for the first time via ConnX and rolled out to several MAs as part of TA’s shared services model. 

Big Red Sky – a world-class e-Recruitment system – was introduced in March 2008 via 

australianopen.com and tennis.com.au. This application automates and manages 

Tennis Australia’s recruitment processes for both AO and TA vacancies. This is particularly 

important for TA given the high volume of recruitment it undertakes. It enables HR to be 

in constant contact with job-seekers, predominately via email (as opposed to post) and 

candidates receive notifications throughout the whole recruitment process. The online 

booking system enables candidates to schedule themselves for interviews once they 

progress through to the ‘interview’ stage. Customised messages are created by HR to 

candidates, such as PDF documents outlining directions to Melbourne Park. 

The most popular benefit is unlimited 

Tennis Workouts – 45-minute fitness drills 

based around tennis. 

TA staff have access to free lunch-time tennis workouts as part of their subsidised Tennis World membership. 

TA Assistant Web Producer Antonio Vong checks out 

the new online self-service system, ConnX. 

Fun Club 

A key goal of HR is to provide a great working 

environment for staff . To this end HR held 

monthly Happy Hours aimed at welcoming 

new staff , farewelling those leaving, celebrating 

successes and sharing information across 

departments. The Fun Club continued for 

the second year, with 52 members, who paid 

AUD$8 a month for discounted get-togethers. 

These included a singing competition, lawn 

bowls, strike bowling, a night at the Moonee 

Valley races, trivia night and the ‘Amazing Race’ 

quiz around Melbourne. 

WorkSafe Week 

Following the success of TA’s inaugural 

WorkSafe Week in 2006, the Company once 

more joined this Victorian State Government 

initiative from 22–26 October 2007 to remind 

staff about the importance of health and safety 

in the workplace. 

Activities included Tennis Workout, yoga, 

work–life balance seminars, neck and shoulder 

massages, ergonomic workstation assessments, 

Bootcamp conducted by Trewhealth, health and 

nutrition seminars and 10-minute healthy heart 

checks assessing cholesterol, blood glucose and 

blood pressure levels. 

The good life 

TA staff enjoy a range of benefits including: 

• free on-site parking 

• paid parental leave 

(mum’s six weeks, dad’s one week) 

• employee counselling assistance 

• health and lifestyle services 

• on-site fl u injections 

• regular health check and program seminars 

• weekly fruit delivery 

• salary packaging 

• discounts on Optus phones, KIA vehicles 

and Kent Removalists 

• TA superbox seats for Rod Laver Arena concerts 

• AO tickets 

• AO uniforms 

• heavily discounted Tennis and AO merchandise 

• executive health checks. 



65

Human Resources continued 

Tennis World membership 

TA employees can also join Tennis World for 

AUD$9 a month. Formerly called Australian 

Open Tennis, Tennis World was re-branded 

in January 2008 and expanded its services 

to Albert Reserve, with two more Melbourne 

centres in the pipeline. Monthly membership 

is AUD$69 for external clients and 50 per cent 

of TA staff took up the off er, with HR picking up 

AUD$60 of the tab. The most popular benefit is 

unlimited Tennis Workouts – 45-minute fitness 

drills based around tennis. The upgraded gym 

is also popular, with free fitness assessment 

and program provided by Trewhealth. 

Membership also includes free court hire at 

Melbourne Park and Albert Reserve, entry into 

social competitions and tournaments, discount 

on coaching and Tennis World Pro Shop. 

Safety manager appointed 

During 2007–2008 TA continued its 

commitment to safety with the appointment 

of a dedicated Safety Manager to implement 

an Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) 

Management System in accordance with 

Australian standards. 

Key projects undertaken during the year 

included the formation of an OHS strategic 

plan, hazard and risk assessments of 

employees’ roles, ergonomic and workplace 

assessments, safety and emergency upgrades 

to the Albert Reserve facility, policy and 

procedure development, emergency training 

and the expansion of the OHS committee. 

Future key projects include the continuation 

of the establishment and implementation 

of the OHS Management System, targeted 

training programs and presentations for both 

full-time and tournament staff , a National 

Safety Committee (sub-committee to Event 

Risk Committee), and many other initiatives 

aimed at increasing safety awareness, 

ownership and participation. 

TA elevated its commitment to safety in the 

workplace with the appointment of Safety Manager, 

Callum Michener. 

66 

Included in TA staff benefits is access to the upgraded gym, including a free fitness assessment and tailored programs. 

AO tournament launch 

On average 3500 applications are received each year for AO tournament positions. This was the 

case in 2007–2008 when there were 1500 positions available across 155 roles in 30 tournament 

areas. HR does not actively advertise tournament positions due to the sheer volume of interest, 

relying on word-of-mouth, the Tennis e-newsletter (TennisWorld) and the AO website as advertising 

mediums. Staff retention rate for AO 2008 was 68 per cent. As well as the online induction, 

tournament staff attended a launch on 21 December 2007 where, in groups of 300, they were 

shown the new courts and marketing campaign, as well as hearing from Tournament Director 

Craig Tiley and CEO Steve Wood. They had area-specific training, team leader training and collected 

uniforms and accreditation. This was a huge, logistical enterprise, but a great advancement on 

previous years where no such mass welcome occurred. 

Media Staff 24 

TV Liaison 9 

Website 15 

Corporate Staff 45 

VIP Hospitality 21 

Drivers 200 

Accreditation 20 

AO Membership 4 

Player Services 10 

Aviva Ballkids 


Junior 

Tournament Practice 3 

Transport Operations 24 

Albert Reserve 

Tournament 

4 

Control & Practice 

Court Services 

17 

& Court Operations 75 

Balls & Towels 4 

Table 6.1 Staff employed by TA for AO 2008. 

Changerooms 12 

Community Tennis 45 

Scoring Operations 55 

Retail Staff 113 

Aviva Ballkids Supervisors/ 

Visitor Program 

Supervisory Team 42 

Beautician & Hairdresser 2 

Child Care Attendants 3 

Information Services 

Group 43 

Player Medical 32 

Off ice Administration 36 

IT 6 

Site Operations 13 

AO Wheelchair Open 1 

Aviva Ballkids 319 

Umpires 365 

TOTAL 1562 

AO 2008 saw a 319-strong Aviva Ballkid squad with 275 coming from Melbourne, 20 from 

interstate, 20 from Korea and four from India. Post AO, overall responsibility for this area moved 

from Operations to Community Tennis in order to dedicate a year-round resource to the role, 

which could increase participation in tennis and coach involvement in the program. Coaches 

continued to recommend kids at the Level 1 stage of screening. Following Level 2 trials, the squad 

was finalised and underwent five training sessions for new ballkids, four for returning members 

of which there were 141. Overall, there were 1500 applicants for AO 2008 and when applications 

opened for the 2009 intake in March, there were 1700 applications. Georgia Sverns and Benjamin 

Ramsay were named as the AO 2008 Aviva Ballkids Most Outstanding Boy and Most Outstanding 

Girl for their consistent performance on court, team work and overall commitment to the program. 

They won AUD$1000 each. A group of 20 kids was selected to take part in the finals ceremonies as 

fl ag bearers and ceremony assistants, handing presents to the finalists.

George Petaroudas (left) receives advice from TA CEO Steve Wood as part of HR’s developing leaders program. 

CASE STUDY 

GRADUATING FROM LEADERSHIP: GEORGE PETAROUDAS 

George Petaroudas joined TA in November 2000 as Financial Accountant and, after five years 

with the Company, was promoted to the role of Financial Controller. Suddenly, his world 

turned around 360 degrees as the diffident accountant embraced a whole new level of 

responsibility within the finance department. Instead of three people indirectly reporting to 

him, George had six people in his charge, a young family to support and a Masters of Business 

Administration (MBA) to complete part-time through Deakin University. 

“I was right out of my comfort zone at the start,” he says. “But I think that’s how you grow. 

For the first few months it was just trial and error. I did a HR module with the MBA course 

but hadn’t put the theory into practice.” 

George took part in TA’s first Empowering Our Leaders for Success program along with 24 

of the Company’s managers, and was given a mentor from the Senior Management Team 

– Chief Executive Off icer, Steve Wood. 

“We scheduled half an hour for the first meeting, but it went for 90 minutes,” says George. 

“Steve was great. He talked about what the best companies in the world do in finance and 

how to replicate those practices. I established a contact at the AFL, who had implemented 

the shared services model TA has been developing. 

“Steve spoke a lot about the importance of thanking staff and getting to know them over 

lunch or a coff ee. He also advised me to encourage staff to work through solutions to 

problems, and to empower them with decision-making.” 

Following his sessions with the CEO, George – as a graduate of the Empowering Our Leaders 

for Success program – became a coach to the next intake of trainee leaders. In 2007–2008, 

TA conducted three programs including one for Member Association staff . 

George coached Tennis NSW HR Coordinator Alison Farah and, at TA, Pro Circuit Coordinator 

Mark Handley. 

“I’d never done anything like this before,” says George. “It has been a great way of getting 

to know fellow managers and applying theory in real life, such as doing a SWOT analysis 

(Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats) with the people I am coaching.” 

As a result of his position at TA and connection with mentor Steve Wood, George became 

custodian of TA’s Strategic Plan after attending the Senior Management Team’s off -site planning 

session in February 2008. “I became the owner of the document and any changes made to 

the Strategic Plan come through me. I make sure it aligns with the overall document because 

I understand how it has been set up. The Strategic Plan covers the key areas of activity TA has 

identified to help us become the greatest tennis nation on the planet.” 

Suddenly, his world 

turned around 

360 degrees as the 

diff ident accountant 

embraced a whole 

new level of 

responsibility... 

FUTURE 

• TA staff engaged and aligned behind the 

Company’s new purpose and strategy. 

• All new TA staff to participate in an online 

induction process through ConnX. 

• HR section of the Company intranet to 

include extensive Company information and 

easy access to a suite of policies, procedures 

and staff benefits. 

• Professional Development Review delivered 

through ConnX with all individual KPOs and 

KPIs linked to business unit objectives, and 

fl owing directly into TA’s new Strategic Plan. 

• Major industrial relations review of all our 

agreements as a result in changes to the Federal 

Government’s workplace relations laws. 

• Develop a remuneration framework and an 

employee mobility plan to assist TA with 

international assignments and recruitment. 

• Maintenance and continuous improvement 

of current programs. 

TENNIS AUSTRALIA STAFF GROWTH 2004–2008 

(AS OF JUNE 30 EACH YEAR) 

30 

June 

150 

120 

90 

60 

30 

65 

80 

101 

116 

0 

2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 

Table 6.2 Full-time employee statistics. 


Human Resources continued 

145 

67

Human Resources: our team 

1. Geoff Pollard 

2. Steve Wood 3. Craig Tiley 4. Digby Nancarrow 5. John Clark 6. Sarah Clements 7. Raelene Turner 

8. Chris Yates 9. David Roberts 10. Steve Ayles 11. Maxine McKendrick 12. Liz Meloni 13. Rosalyn Kane 14. Lisa Meehan 

15. Brent Larkham 16. John Fitzgerald 17. David Taylor 18. Sandon Stolle 19. Paul Kilderry 20. Jaslyn Hewitt 21. Anthony Lane 

22. James Trotman 23. Shannon Nettle 24. Milo Bradley 25. Paul Baccanello 26. Ian Prangley 27. Damian Prasad 28. Craig Morris 

29. Wendy Shipp 30. Michael Robertson 31. Geoff Quinlan 32. Machar Reid 33. Kim Kachel 34. Wally Masur (Syd.) 35. David Hodge (Bris.) 

36. Broderick Dyke (Adel.) 37. Chris Mahony (Melb.) 38. Travis Atkinson 39. Karen Clydesdale 40. Marina Toskas 41. Karen Annear 42. Patrick McInerney 

43. Joe Kubizniak (NSW) 44. Lawrence Latisenka (SA) 45. Tim Bray (Vic.) 46. Rob Leeds (Qld) 47. Andrea Buckeridge 48. Belinda Kleverlaan 49. Cameron Pearson 

50. Kathryn Oyeniyi 51. Fiona Luscombe 52. Mark Handley 53. Mark Edney 54. Francis Soyer 55. Wayne Spencer 56. Melissa Jelliff 

57. Robin O’Neill 58. Vicki Garrett 59. Kylie Buckley 60. Brenden Sharp 61. Juhi Gupta 62. Emily Hewett 63. Chris Head 

64. Brenda Tierney 65. Sallee Trewin (m/l) 66. Steve Lock 67. Di MacDonald 68. Mark Buttifant 69. Jamie Parrott 70. Michael Allder 

71. Troy Murrell 72. Andrew Nield 73. Andrew Reynolds 74. Glenn Kellett 75. Paul Kattestaart 76. Angela McCalman 77. Cate Murray 


To match the face to the role see the organisational chart on pp 70–72

78. Meghan Tozer 

79. Marnie Bignell (m/l) 80. Kristy Plunkett 81. Anna Eagle (m/l) 82. Chanh Lam 83. Darren Pearce 84. Maggie Ellis 

85. Prue Ryan 86. Kim Trengove 87. Daniela Toleski 88. Rob O’Gorman 89. Nick Davies 90. Antonio De Carvalho Vong 91. Darren Saligari 

92. Jenny Watson 93. Lauren Hamilton 94. Nathalie Gibson 95. Ashlee Butera 96. Brad Smith 97. Renata Capela 98. Joanne Louder 

99. Max Goonan 100. Sarah Borsitzky 101. Danielle Malthouse 102. Sarah Mithen 103. Karl Budge 104. Tricia Armstrong 105. Rachel Cahill 

106. Jannelle Jorgensen 107. Joanne Brown (m/l) 108. Melissa King 109. Frances Travers 110. Gayle Pohl 111. Gracie Costanzo 112. Adrian Richardson 

113. Paul Daly 114. Fenton Coull 115. Sascha Miller 116. Rob Miraglia 117. Brant Davey 118. Jordan Culley 119. Liz Hill 

120. Louise Brown 121. Kerrie Clarke (m/l) 122. Carla Verzulli 123. Sylvia Lokollo 124. Alexandra Yosifidis 125. Natalie Thompson 126. Callum Michener 

127. Jan Moran 128. Sandra Fabris 129. Karen Jeff ress 130. Jodie Foy 131. Isabelle Kluger 132. Luke Petterson 133. Melissa Patton 

134. Andrew Player 135. Luke Kuret 136. Adam Beames 137. Samantha Jones 138. Matthew Wood 139. Ann West 140. Kevin Byrne 

141. George Petaroudas 142. Mary Sebire 143. Lynda Whiteley 144. Alex Foxall 145. Wendy Owen 146. Jemelle McGuiness 147. Donna Godfrey 

148. Selina Ross 149. Peta Hiscock 150. Mandy Shutie 151. Craig Watson 152. Kim Dannoun 153. Laura Michell 154. Cassie Keith 

To match the face to the role see the organisational chart on pp 70–72 

Human Resources 69

Tennis Australia organisational structure 

Operations 

Tennis and AO 

p43 

Board 

Manager Facilities 

& Development 

116. Rob Miraglia 

Manager Event 

Operations 

114. Fenton Coull 

Manager Access 

Control 

112. Adrian Richardson 

Operations 

Administration Manager 

111. Gracie Costanzo 


Operations 

6. Sarah Clements 

Director 

Australian Open 

& Tennis 

3. Craig Tiley 

Player Services 

Administrator 

14. Lisa Meehan 

Head Coach AIS Pro Tour 

Program 

15. Brent Larkham 

Manager Athlete 

Development 

28. Craig Morris 

Athlete Development Assistant 

29. Wendy Shipp 

Manager Coach 

Development 

38. Travis Atkinson 

Manager Tournaments 

& Competitions 

49. Cameron Pearson 


Community Tennis 

57. Robin O’Neill 

Geoff Pollard AM 

President 

Site Operations Manager 

117. Brant Davey 

Event Operations 

Coordinator 

115. Sascha Miller 

Event Operations 

Assistant 

Vacant 

Access Control 

Assistant 

113. Paul Daly 

Davis Cup Captain 

16. John Fitzgerald 

Fed Cup Captain & Women’s 

Coach – AIS Pro Tour Program 

17. David Taylor 

Tournaments & 

Competitions Assistant 

50. Kathryn Oyeniyi 

High Performance Academy Manager 

30. Michael Robertson 

Pro Circuits Manager 

51. Fiona Luscombe 

Des Nicholl 

Vice President 

Site Operations 

Assistant 

118. Jordan Culley 

Site Administration 

Assistant 

119. Liz Hill 

Women’s Coaches 

– AIS Pro Tour Program 

18. Sandon Stolle 

19. Paul Kilderry 

20. Jaslyn Hewitt 

Pro Circuits Coordinator 

52. Mark Handley 

National Programs 

Consultant 

Bill Beischer 

Ashley Cooper AO 

Camps and Tours 

Coordinator 

60. Brenden Sharp 

53. Mark Edney 

Junior Competitions 

Coordinator 

54. Francis Soyer 

Chris Freeman 

Andrea Mitchell 

22. James Trotman 

23. Shannon Nettle 

24. Milo Bradley 

Coach Membership Consultant 

39. Karen Clydesdale 

Coach Membership 

Coordinator 

40. Marina Toskas 

Coach Membership 

Administrator 

41. Karen Annear 

Coach Education 

Coordinator 

42. Patrick McInerney 

Coach Development 

Coordinators 

43. Joe Kubizniak (NSW) 

44. Lawrence Latisenka (SA) 

45. Tim Bray (Vic.) 

Vacant (WA) 

46. Rob Leeds (Qld) 

Junior Tennis 

Coordinator 

Operations 

Administration Assistant 

110. Gayle Pohl 

Executive Assistant 

13. Rosalyn Kane 

58. Vicki Garrett 

Community Tennis 

Coordinator 

59. Kylie Buckley 

NA & Sports Science Coordinator 

31. Geoff Quinlan 


Sports Science Manager 

32. Machar Reid 

Talent Search Coordinator 

33. Kim Kachel 

Reception Supervisor 

127. Jan Moran 

Receptionists 

128. Sandra Fabris 

129. Karen Jeffress 



President 

1. Geoff Pollard 

Men’s Coaches 

– AIS Pro Tour Program 

Safety Manager 

126. Callum Michener 

HR Coordinator - 

Corporate Services 

125. Natalie Thompson 

HR Team Leader 

- AO & HR Systems 

122. Carla Verzulli 


Manager 

121. Kerrie Clarke (m/l) 

21. Anthony Lane 

7. Raelene Turner 

25. Paul Baccanello 

National Coaches 

34. Wally Masur (Sydney) 

35. David Hodge (Brisbane) 

36. Broderick Dyke (Adelaide) 

37. Chris Mahony (Melbourne) 

Vacant (Perth) 

Chief of Officials 

55. Wayne Spencer 

Officiating Coordinator 

56. Melissa Jelliff 

HR Coordinator - AO 

Recruitment 

123. Sylvia Lokollo 

Peter Ritchie AO 

David Stobart 



120. Louise Brown 

Physio/Strength & Conditioning 

Coaches – AIS Pro Tour Program 

26. Ian Prangley 

27. Damian Prasad 

Vacant 

Coach Development Project 

Manager 

National Programs 

Administrator 

61. Juhi Gupta 

Ballkid Program 

Coordinator 

62. Emily Hewett 

National Facilities 

Manager 

63. Chris Head 

Facility Development Assistant 

64. Brenda Tierney 

65. Sallee Trewin (m/l) 

47. Andrea Buckeridge 

HR Offi cer 

124. Alexandra Yosifidis 

Professional Development 

Coordinator 

48. Belinda Kleverlaan 

Research Coordinator 

66. Steve Lock 

Scott Tanner 

Information Technology 

Chief Executive 

Officer 

2. Steve Wood 

Manager Tennis NT 

67. Di MacDonald 

p43 

Office Bearers 

Steve Wood 

Chief Executive Officer 

Network 

Development 

134. Andrew Player 137. Samantha Jones 

135. Luke Kuret 

138. Matthew Wood 

136. Adam Beames 

Service Desk 

131. Isabelle Kluger 

132. Luke Petterson 

133. Melissa Patton 


11. Maxine McKendrick 


Liz 12. Meloni Liz Meloni 

Manager 

Commercial Tennis 

68. Mark Buttifant 

8. Chris Yates 

Marketing, Media 

and e-Communications 



Administration 

Coordinator 

76. Angela McCalman 

Business 

Development 

Coordinator 

75. Paul Kattestaart 

Centre Manager 

– Albert Reserve 

74. Glenn Kellett 

Program Team Leader 

– Melbourne Park 

& Albert Reserve 

73. Andrew Reynolds 

Customer Service 

Manager 

72. Andrew Nield 

PA/IT Administration 

Support 

130. Jodie Foy 

David Roberts 

Company Secretary 

Director Marketing 

4. Digby Nancarrow 

Head Tennis 

Professionals – 

Melbourne Park 

69. Jamie Parrott 

Tennis 

Professionals 

70. Michael Allder 

71. Troy Murrell 

Finance, Legal 

and Administration 

Brand Manager 

– Acting 

78. Meghan Tozer 

Manager 

e-Communications 

86. Kim Trengove 

National Membership 

Coordinator 

92. Jenny Watson 


77. Cate Murray 

Brand Manager – Tennis 

79. Marnie Bignell (m/l) 

To put a face to 

the name, match 

the number 

next to the 

employee with 

the photographs 

on pages 68–69. 

Manager Business 

Operations 

139. Ann West 

Marketing 

Administrator – Tennis 

80. Kristy Plunkett 

Financial Accountant 

143. Lynda Whiteley 

Financial Analyst 

142. Mary Sebire 

Payroll Manager 

Vacant 

Procurement 

Coordinator 

Manager Media 

83. Darren Pearce 

Media Operations 

Coordinator 

84. Maggie Ellis 

Media & Public Relations 

Coordinator 

85. Prue Ryan 

Vacant 

Communications Assistant 

Vacant 

Publishing Assistant 

87. Daniela Toleski 

Communications Assistant 

88. Rob O’Gorman 

General Counsel 

148. Selina Ross 

Financial Controller 

141. George Petaroudas 

9. David Roberts 

Brand Manager – Events 

81. Anna Eagle (m/l) 

Legal Counsel 

Assistant 

Web Producer 

89. Nick Davies 

Assistant Web Producer 

149. Peta Hiscock 

140. Kevin Byrne 

Assistant Financial Accountant 

144. Alex Foxall 

Accounts Payable Officer 

145. Wendy Owen 

Bank Reconciliation Officer 

Marketing 

Administrator – Events 

82. Chanh Lam 

90. Antonio De Carvalho Vong 

Legal Counsel 

150. Mandy Shutie 

Building Services 

and Maintenance 

Coordinator 

Vacant 

Finance Administration 

Assistant 

Vacant 

e-Communications Coordinator 

91. Darren Saligari 

Commercial 

146. Jemelle McGuiness 

EventsCo 

Accounts Payable Assistant 

147. Donna Godfrey 


Commercial 

Manager Merchandise 

& Licensing 

93. Lauren Hamilton 

Merchandise Planner Analyst 

Vacant 

Merchandise Coordinator – Retail 

94. Nathalie Gibson 

Merchandise Coordinator – Uniforms 

& Corporate Catalogue 

95. Ashlee Butera 

Manager Broadcast 

96. Brad Smith 

Manager Sponsorship 

99. Max Goonan 

Manager Corporate 

Hospitality 

104. Tricia Armstrong 

Manager 

EventsCo 

10. Steve Ayles 

Manager Ticketing 

and Tourism 

109. Frances Travers 

EventsCo is a new business unit that 

was formed in early 2008 to focus on 

raising the profile and profitability of the 

Australian Open Series events for 2009. p20 

Sydney International 

Tournament Director 

151. Craig Watson 

5. John Clark 

Broadcast Production 

Manager 

97. Renata Capela 

Administration & Events 

Coordinator 

152. Kim Dannoun 

Broadcast Technical 

Coordinator 

98. Joanne Louder 

Sponsor Account Manager 

100. Sarah Borsitzky 

101. Danielle Malthouse 

102. Sarah Mithen 

Account Executive 

105. Rachel Cahill 

106. Jannelle Jorgensen 

107. Joanne Brown (m/l) 

Brisbane International 

Tournament Director 

10. Steve Ayles 

Sponsorship Coordinator 

103. Karl Budge 

Corporate Hospitality 


108. Melissa King 


153. Laura Michell 

Operations Manager 

154. Cassie Keith 


m/l – Maternity leave 71 

Tennis Australia organisational structure 72


Resurfacing the courts at Melbourne Park. 

It was a magical fortnight at Melbourne 

Park, with each day of Australian Open 2008 

providing the drama and action that the first 

Grand Slam of the year is renowned for. 


Australian Open 2008 73

74 


AO Brand Statement 

The Big Blue Picture 

The Australian Open is much more than a tennis tournament. 

It is an event, a series, an experience, an excitement that exemplifi es all that is best about being Australian. 

We are aspirational to Asia/Pacific and inspirational to Australians. 

We are classic in stature but contemporary in style. 

We are a leader who moves forward by example. 

We celebrate our individuality, but collectively we are greater than any individual. 

We are uniquely and clearly Australian, but we embrace visitors from all around the world. 

We attract the best tennis players in the world, but our strength comes from being aff ordable 

and accessible to the broadest audience. 

We use technology to enhance the sport. 

We use the sport to create a complete entertainment experience. 

We are innovative. We are passionate. We are welcoming. And we do it with attitude. 

It is the biggest sporting event in our own country. The biggest in the Southern Hemisphere. 

It is a showcase of The Wonderful World of Tennis. 

It is unique. It is us. It is Australian. 

Prize money: 

Men’s and 

women’s singles 

prize money: 

Surface: 

Sessions of play: 

Quick 

facts 

AUD$20.6 million 

AUD$1,370,000 

Plexicushion 


12 days, 11 nights and two twilight sessions. 

• A fl eet of 81 official cars supplied by the tournament’s major sponsor, Kia Motors, made in 

excess of 35,000 journeys transporting players to and from Melbourne Park, clocking up more 

than 300,000 km. 

• Favourite player profiles among the fans on australianopen.com saw both men’s and 

women’s finalists Jo-Wilfried Tsonga and Ana Ivanovic top the poll ahead of world 

No.1 Roger Federer and Maria Sharapova. 

• Jo-Wilfried Tsonga led the men’s competition for aces served at 100, with Serena Williams 

topping the women’s at 40. 

• The fastest serves of the tournament were recorded by Andy Roddick (237 km/h) while 

Venus and Serena Williams recorded the women’s fastest serves (199 km/h). 

• The racquet stringers strung more than 3067 racquets using over 37 km of string. 

• Entertaining the crowds were some of Australia’s top music acts including The Veronicas, 

Thirsty Merc, James Reyne, Mental as Anything, Evermore and Jess McAvoy.

The profiles of Ana Ivanovic and Jo-Wilfried Tsonga were the most popular on australianopen.com. 

AO Play-off 

The Australian Open (AO) Play-off was held from 15–21 December at Melbourne Park. 

This event gives top 16 male and 16 female Australian contestants – next to those already 

in the main draw – the opportunity to seal a spot in the AO. 

Tennis fans living in Melbourne, or those visiting the city, could watch the action free of charge. 

Victorians Christina Wheeler and Joseph Sirianni were the winning duo who entered the AO 

main draw. Wheeler defeated Olivia Rogowska 6-0 6-4 and Sirianni overcame Adam Feeney 

6-3 4-6 6-3 6-4. 

Record attendance 

AO 2008 set crowd records with attendance figures reaching an all-time record of 605,735 

patrons, surpassing the record of 554,858 set in 2007. p59 It is the ninth consecutive year 

that the tournament has attracted more than half a million patrons. 

Day four of the tournament saw another record set with the highest ever Grand Slam day/ 

night combined attendance achieved, with 62,885 fans through the gates. This broke the 

record of 61,083 achieved by the US Open on Saturday 1 September 2007. 

The live sites in Shanghai, Sydney and Melbourne attracted a combined estimated attendance 

of 1,387,338. Those who couldn’t get along in person made sure they kept in touch through 

the official website australianopen.com powered by IBM with 7,456,693 million unique 

users recorded. 

Attracting the world’s top players 

A star-studded men’s and women’s singles draw included eight men’s Grand Slam champions, 

seven women’s Grand Slam champions, all of the top 32 women and 30 of the top 32 men. 

A total of 45 nations were represented in the singles main draws (32 countries in the men’s 

singles and 37 countries in the women’s singles). 

Fans saw Serbia’s Novak Djokovic win his first Grand Slam title, and witnessed the incredible 

performance of Jo-Wilfried Tsonga from France, who came through the draw unseeded to 

reach the final, upsetting ninth seed Andy Murray, eighth seed Richard Gasquet, No.14 seed 

Mikhail Youzhny and world No.2 Rafael Nadal en route. 

An all-time record 

of patrons 

Photographer’s capture the action at AO 2008. 

In the women’s singles final two 20 year olds 

battled it out, with Russian Maria Sharapova 

overcoming Ana Ivanovic from Serbia. For 

the second consecutive year an Australian 

won the Australian Open Junior Boys’ 

Championships. Bernard Tomic became the 

youngest winner in the Open era at 15 years 

and three months of age. 

Behind the scenes 

Making it all happen behind the scenes 

were more than 4500 members of staff , 

including 319 Aviva Ballkids and 365 umpires. 

Internationally, a group of 28 Aviva Ballkids 

from Korea (24) and India (4) were selected 

to take part in the Aviva International Ballkids 

program, reinforcing the AO’s position as 

the Grand Slam of Asia/Pacific. p66 

Strengthening links with Asia 

The mixed doubles final featured players from 

the Asia/Pacific region. But it was Tiantian 

Sun from China who teamed up with Nenad 

Zimonjic of Serbia who claimed victory over 

Indian pair Sania Mirza and Mahesh Bhupathi. 

The first two AO wildcard recipients were 

Denis Istomin and Iroda Tulyaganova, both 

of Uzbekistan, as the winners of the Asian 

Championships. 



75

Australian Open 2008 continued 

Video line-calling 

Video line-calling was once again an 

on-court highlight at Rod Laver Arena and, 

for the first time, it was used at Vodafone 

Arena. p94–95 

Free kids’ day 

In a Grand Slam first, the AO opened its 

courts to the public on Australia Day from 

10:30 am to 1:00 pm. All kids 12 years and 

under entered free with a paying adult and 

had the chance to experience playing tennis 

on an AO court, where the world’s best 

come to play. This initiative was part of TA’s 

commitment to grassroots. 

The main event 

The AO was the biggest single news and 

sports story across Australia during the 

fortnight with 71,912 separate items 

broadcast on television or radio or published 

online or in newspapers. 

Exposure in domestic newspapers was valued 

at a record AUD$37.8 million. 

Australia promoted worldwide 

A total of 1654 representatives of the media 

were accredited at AO 2008 – with the world’s 

major newspapers, TV and radio broadcasters 

all strongly represented. 

Of these, there were 664 international and 

990 Australian members of the media. AO 

2008 was broadcast for a record 6700 hours 

in 157 countries around the globe reaching 

425.1 million households. 

Asia continues to be the dominant market, 

accounting for 3416 hours of coverage, the 

highest of any region. Exposure and gross 

media value were at their highest in China 

with 898 hours televised across nine 

separate broadcasters. 

Aviva Ballkids do a wonderful job during the tournament. 


Overcoming AO challenges 

Heat wasn’t a problem at AO 2008, with the revised and scientific Extreme Heat Policy in place. 

But a challenge was faced on the middle Saturday when rain completely washed out play on 

the outside courts. 

On day six of the tournament, world No.1 Roger Federer took nearly four and a half hours to 

overcome unseeded Janko Tipsarevic, forcing the night session at Rod Laver Arena to begin 

after 9:00 pm with the men’s third round encounter between Lleyton Hewitt and Marcos 

Baghdatis beginning at 11:49 pm and finishing at 4:34 am. This match will go down in history 

as one of the epic battles fought out at Melbourne Park. 

In illegal gambling, TA had a zero tolerance policy in place for AO 2008. This focus was on 

illegal gambling, match fixing and the communication of sensitive information that may have 

aff ected the outcome of a match. The use of laptops was prohibited in spectator viewing areas 

of all tournament courts without prior authorisation from TA management. 

Pressure from global tennis remains constant with record prize money at Wimbledon, the US 

Open and increases across ATP/WTA tour events. In order to meet this pressure, TA will budget 

at least a seven per cent increase in AO prize money for 2009 taking the total prize money to over 

AUD$22 million. 

Wildcard opportunities 

Wildcards were awarded to eight male and eight female Australian and international players. 

Seventeen Australian players were granted qualifying wildcards, which enabled them to gain 

valuable experience from playing the qualifying rounds. 

The wildcard exchange with the French Tennis Federation and the United States Tennis Association 

provides Australian players with valuable reciprocal opportunities at other Grand Slams. 

AO 2008 results 

Australian Open 2008 main draw 

Men’s singles [3] Novak Djokovic (SRB) d Jo-Wilfried Tsonga (FRA) 4-6 6-4 6-3 7-6(2) 

Women’s singles [5] Maria Sharapova (RUS) d [4] Ana Ivanovic (SRB) 7-5 6-3 

Men’s doubles [8] Jonathan Erlich/Andy Ram (ISR) d [7] Arnaud Clement/Michael Llodra 

(FRA) 7-5 7-6(4) 

Women’s doubles Alona Bondarenko/Kateryna Bondarenko (UKR) d [12] Victoria Azarenka/ 

Shahar Peer (BLR/ISR) 2-6 6-1 6-4 

Mixed doubles [5] Tiantian Sun/Nenad Zimonjic (CHN/SRB) d Sania Mirza/Mahesh 

Bhupathi (IND) 7-6(4) 6-4 

Australian Open Junior Championships 

Boys’ singles [5] Bernard Tomic (AUS) d [10] Tsung-Hua Yang (TPE) 4-6 7-6(5) 6-0 

Girls’ singles [14] Arantxa Rus (NED) d Jessica Moore (AUS) 6-3 6-4 

Boys’ doubles Cheng Peng Hsieh/Tsung-Hua Yang (TPE) d [2] Vasek Pospisil/Cesar 

Ramirez (CAN/MEX) 3-6 7-5 [10-5] 

Girls’ doubles [1] Ksenia Lykina/Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova (RUS) d Elena Bogdan/Misaki 

Doi (ROU/JPN) 6-0 6-4 

Australian Wheelchair Tennis Championships 

Men’s wheelchair singles [1] Shingo Kunieda (JPN) d [4] Michael Jeremiasz (FRA) 6-1 6-4 

Women’s wheelchair singles [1] Esther Vergeer (NED) d [2] Korie Homan (NED) 6-3 6-3 

Men’s wheelchair doubles [1] Shingo Kunieda/Satoshi Saida (JPN) d [2] Robin Ammerlaan/ 

Ronald Vink (NED) 6-4 6-3 

Women’s wheelchair doubles [1] Jiske Griffioen/Esther Vergeer (NED) d [2] Korie Homan/ 

Sharon Walraven (NED) 6-3 6-1 

Quad wheelchair singles [2] Peter Norfolk (GBR) d [1] David Wagner (USA) 6-2 6-3 

Quad wheelchair doubles [1] Nicholas Taylor/David Wagner (USA) d [2] Sarah Hunter/ 

Peter Norfolk (CAN/GBR) 5-7 6-0 [10-3]

Tennis 

Aviva Tennis Hot Shots is TA’s kids’ starter program. 


The Tennis business unit is 

divided into four departments. 

These are: Community Tennis, 

Tournaments and 

Competitions, Coach 

Development and 

Athlete Development. 

Tennis 78 

Sustainability and the environment 83 

Tennis 77

Tennis 

Objectives 

Strategy 

78 

Champions 

Champions 

Champions 






Grassroots 

Grassroots 

More champions and depth across all levels. 

More and better national infrastructure. 

Identify talented athletes and off er the leading 

athlete development environment globally. 

Attract, develop and retain the best coaches globally. 

Off er the best competition environment 

to develop champions. 

Run a successful commercial operation at 

Melbourne Park as a model for other facilities. 

Improve the quality of the experience delivered 

by tennis facilities. 

Fund improvement of tennis infrastructure. 

Encourage and support the development 

of new facilities where they are needed most. 

Monitor, maintain and improve court 

and equipment standards. 

Adopt a National Membership program. 

Increase the number and depth 

of engagement of active players. 

Building and delivering (more) eff ectively to the ‘grassroots’. 


Increasing participation at grassroots level is a major objective. 

Re-launch of Aviva Tennis Hot Shots 

In 2007–2008, Community Tennis worked to develop successful national community programs. 

The main focus was the re-launch of Aviva Tennis Hot Shots, a modified ball competition 

program, with the main objective being to add deliverers to the program. As of 30 June 2008, 

281 deliverers were registered, and this continues to grow as more coaches become interested in 

providing this program for their students. Aviva Tennis Hot Shots enables kids under the age of 

12 to participate in a competition program that makes playing tennis more fun and a lot easier. 

Community Tennis also provided targeted support to indigenous athletes and athletes with 

intellectual disability by developing competition and training opportunities. 

Improved tennis facilities 

Developing welcoming tennis facilities has been a major objective of the Commercial Tennis 

department. This has incorporated running a successful commercial operation – renamed 

Tennis World – at Melbourne Park, as well as creating funding opportunities for improved facility 

standards. A National Facility Blueprint is being developed in partnership with the Member 

Associations (MAs) to ensure new facilities are built where and how they are needed in order to be 

successful. The blueprint will also be used to support and open communication with local councils. 

The National Court Rebate Scheme is in its second year of operation. This was launched 

to stimulate court growth and improve facilities nationally. The demand for this rebate 

continues to grow with the Board approving an extra AUD$1 million towards the scheme. 

MAs are invited to submit applications for funding to develop or upgrade court surfaces and 

associated infrastructure. p82 TA assisted in the construction or improvement of 272 courts 

during 2007–2008. 

The court pace testing 

protocol, which TA 

developed, has been 

internationally accepted. 

The National Talent Search program identifies 

and provides opportunities for talented athletes. 

272 

TA assisted in the 

construction or 

improvement of 272 

courts during 2007–2008. 

Innovation through research 

National tennis research was conducted and 

the data has been completed and distributed 

internally for review. TA has also put ball 

testing procedures in place and established 

benchmarks for operational performance. 

The court pace testing protocol, which TA 

developed, has been internationally accepted. 

User-friendly national 

tournament calendar 

Developing a user-friendly national 

tournament calendar was a major objective 

to enable athletes to compete at their peak. 

TA has increased the number of competitive 

opportunities for athletes, both at the junior 

and senior level, with 22 Pro Circuits events, 

18 Australian Money Tournaments (AMTs) and 

more than 20 major junior events. Giving players 

an increased opportunity to compete during 

the year has helped TA to integrate tournaments 

and competitions into a national framework. 

TA has also maintained and continued to 

develop the Australian Ranking System. 


Tennis 

79

Tennis continued 

New partnership 

for Pro Circuits 

The Tournaments and Competitions 

department maximised the quality and quantity 

of professional competitive opportunities for 

athletes and will increase the number of Pro 

Circuit events to 24 in 2008–2009. TA will have 

an 80 per cent buy-in from local communities 

in the support of these events. 

The Pro Circuit has moved to an independent 

promoter model, where TA is in partnership 

with the local promoters at these events. 

TA also signed with Sporting Spectrum to 

be a partner to deliver these events. This is an 

exciting arrangement that will help to realise 

the full potential of the Australian Pro Circuit. 

The success of the Pro Circuit so far can be 

credited to a terrific partnership between 

TA and the many dozens of dedicated and 

hard-working local communities. By adding 

a professional organisation like Sporting 

Spectrum to the mix, TA is planning to take 

the Pro Circuit to the next level and 

generate a benefit that will be felt in the 

local communities and throughout the sport. 

Forming part of the official worldwide tour, the 

Pro Circuit off ers Australian and international 

athletes the opportunity to gain valuable WTA 

and ATP world ranking points. The Pro Circuit 

continues to be a vital step in the athletes’ 

professional journey and has provided valuable 

competitive opportunities for player such as 

Lleyton Hewitt, Pat Rafter, Alicia Molik, Samantha 

Stosur, and more recently Chris Guccione and 

Casey Dellacqua. This partnership will enhance 

the global recognition of the Pro Circuit and a 

key feature is that the majority of the events will 

be staged through regional Australia. 

The Pro Circuit season comprising the 24 events 

started in Rockhampton on 8 September 

showcasing a combined men’s USD$15,000 

Futures and women’s USD$25,000 circuit event. 

TA currently 

1637 

has 

coaches registered as part of TA’s 

Coach Membership program. 


National Coach Education program 

The Coach Development department worked on delivering a successful National Coach 

Education program. Education takes place primarily in three streams: Junior Development, 

Club Professional and High Performance. During the course of the year 13 Junior Development 

Courses, five Club Professional Courses and one High Performance Course operated. 

TA also ran a successful Grand Slam Coaches’ Conference at the Australian Open (AO) in January 

and decided to hold this international coaches’ conference every year instead of once every 

two years. After hiring five coach development coordinators in each of the MAs recently, TA 

has more momentum to provide further coaching resources in 2008–2009. This will include 

developing more educational DVDs. TA operates a year-round calendar of coaching courses 

and workshops creating learning opportunities on the latest techniques in coaching and allows 

coaches to update their knowledge and skills on a regular basis. 

National Coach Membership program 

TA currently has 1637 coaches registered as part of TA’s Coach Membership program. The program 

off ers three main membership categories (Premium, Standard and Associate Member) with a 

range of benefits. These include insurance cover protecting against all coaching-related liability 

exposures, subscription to a regular e-newsletter, hardcopy newsletters, articles in Australian 

Tennis Magazine, mail-outs, website information and discounts on a range of coaching products. 

Opportunities for talented athletes 

TA has the National Talent Search in place to identify and provide opportunities for talented 

athletes. Talent Search is a year-round national program that is open for all young athletes from 

regional and metropolitan Australia. The program is divided into two activities, the first being 

Talent Search Days and the second phase is the training and coaching opportunities for the 

identified talent. 

During 2007–2008 Talent Search Days engaged 2706 kids aged between six and 11, with 

another 500 kids participating from last year. Each MA also has its own Talent ID coaching team 

and the program has a support manual that details the coaching activities, physical testing and 

game exercises that should take place during Talent Search Days. 

Highly focused collective training environments 

National Academies (NAs) have been established in Adelaide, Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth and 

Sydney. Each of these academies is led by a TA national head coach and supported by a team, 

which includes strength and conditioning coaches, assistant coaches and services and support 

from the state institute and academy programs. Athletes training in NAs are on a scholarship 

status, and athletes can either be a full scholarship holder or a partial scholarship holder. 

Participants reach scholarship status by achieving national and international criteria. These 

environments are also supported by underpinning state programs as well as state academies 

in ACT, Tasmania and the Northern Territory. In 2007–2008, 11 NA members were on a full 

scholarship while 63 were on a partial scholarship. The final phase in developing our NAs will 

be undertaken over the next 12 months, with TA now underwriting and taking full control of 

our national scholarship holders. 

Coaches are covered for all coaching-related liability exposures as part of the Coach Membership program.

The winning 2007 Optus Australian 14/u World Junior Tennis Team (l to r:) Ben Wagland, Jason Kubler, 

Derek Burden (coach) and Joey Swaysland. 

Sport science and medicine 

TA appointed Dr Machar Reid to lead its sports science team as well as Dr Tim Wood as the 

Chief Medical Advisor. In addition, TA established national fitness protocols with benchmarks 

and every scholarship athlete in Australia is required to meet the minimum fitness benchmarks 

to continue their scholarship status. National biomechanics and technical benchmarks have 

been established through Dartfish, an eff ective and complete video analysis software package, 

which includes all necessary functionality to analyse technical performance during and after 

training and competition. 

Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) Pro Tour Program 

The AIS Pro Tour Program helps to foster successful professional athlete performance and 

the program has 12 full-time staff . The program continues to expand, with 24 athletes 

involved this year, up from 17 in 2007, with all athletes in the program enjoying career high 

rankings. Several world-class coaches also came into the program to foster the development 

of Australia’s future champions. Based in Australia for six months, and split between Sutton, 

England and Varese, Italy for the remaining six months of the year. The AIS Pro Tour Program is 

an integral part of the player development pathway and the program will continue to grow. Its 

main focus is to service these athletes to maintain and build on the results achieved to date. 

Player achievements 2007–2008 

A number of Australian players achieved excellence on the world stage during 2007–2008, 

with the juniors showing immense promise. 

The 2007 Optus Australian 14/u World Junior Tennis Team consisting of Ben Wagland, Jason 

Kubler and Joey Swaysland won the final on 11 August for the first time. 

Mark Verryth, Bernard Tomic and Alex Sanders won the Junior Davis Cup on 1 October 2007. 

Isabella Holland, Sally Peers and Olivia Rogowska won the Junior Fed Cup on 1 October 2007. 

Bernard Tomic hoisted his third prestigious international Orange Bowl trophy on 9 December 2007. 

Tomic became the youngest player in the Open era to win the AO junior boys’ singles title on 

26 January 2008. 

Jessica Moore was a finalist in the AO junior girls’ singles title on 26 January 2008. 

Casey Dellacqua was a finalist with Francesca Schiavone (ITA) in the women’s doubles event 

at the French Open on 7 June 2008 and entered the top 50 on 10 June 2008. 

Brydan Klein claimed his fourth professional singles title, winning the F2 Futures tournament 

in Belarus on 21 June 2008. 

FUTURE 

NATIONAL MEMBERSHIP PROGRAM 

The National Membership program will be a key focus of TA’s Community Tennis team in 2008– 

2009. TA has defined a membership program in partnership with the MAs. As ongoing discussions 

take place, the overall objective is to roll out the National Membership Program in 2009. 

The National Membership program will identify where and how people access tennis and 

what they want out of the game. It will recognise and motivate the provider of tennis services 

to register its participants as the program will provide a platform that creates a sustainable 

base for growth. TA will work to cater to three diff erent groups of people: the tennis fans, 

the competition player and the social player. This program will lead to the development 

of a national rankings system that will ultimately cover competitions nationally. 

AIS Pro Tour 

Program members 

Men 

Miles Armstrong (WA) 

Carsten Ball (US) 

Andrew Coelho (Vic.) 

Colin Ebelthite (SA) 

Adam Feeney (NSW) 

Samuel Groth (Vic.) 

Chris Guccione (Vic.) 

Alun Jones (ACT) 

Greg Jones (NSW) 

Dayne Kelly (Vic.) 

Brydan Klein (WA) 

Nick Lindahl (NSW) 

Peter Luczak (Vic.) 

Robert Smeets (Qld) 

Mark Verryth (Vic.) 

Women 

Alison Bai (ACT) 

Casey Dellacqua (WA) 

Jarmila Gajdosova (Vic.) 

Shayna McDowell (Qld) 

Marija Mirkovic (Vic.) 

Jessica Moore (WA) 

Sally Peers (Vic.) 

Olivia Rogowska (Vic.) 

Samantha Stosur (Qld) 

Chris Guccione and Sam Stosur are members 

of the AIS Pro Tour Program. 



81


London 

Sutton 

England 

AIS Pro Tour Program 

Perth 

Tennis West 

CASE STUDY 

LAHARUM TENNIS CLUB UPGRADES 

The upgrade to Plexicushion courts at AO 2008 

created a lot of interest in the new court surface 

and this led to an increase in National Court 

Rebate Scheme applications in the second half 

of the financial year. 


Darwin 

Tennis NT 

Tennis SA 

AO Series 2008 events National Academies 

Mondial Australian Women’s Hardcourts Brisbane National Academy 

Next Generation Adelaide International Adelaide National Academy 

Medibank International Sydney Sydney National Academy 

Moorilla Hobart International Hobart National Academy 

Australian Open Melbourne National Academy 

Map not to scale 

The redeveloped courts at Laharum Tennis Club. 

NO. OF ATHLETES 

5000 

4000 

3000 

2000 

1000 

0 

IDENTIFYING TALENTED ATHLETES 

IDENTIFIED ATHLETES 

ATHLETE FORECAST 

2,139 

2,706 

4,000 

5,000 

2006–2007 2007–2008 2008–2009 2009–2010 

AIS Pro Tour Program 

Tennis 

Queensland 

Brisbane 

Gold Coast 

Sydney 

Tennis NSW 

ACT 

Tennis ACT 

Melbourne Tennis Victoria 

TENNIS AUSTRALIA 

Hobart 

Tennis 

Tasmania 

Italy 

Varese 

Milano 

Plexipave has the same playing characteristics as Plexicushion but is cheaper to install for clubs. 

The Laharum Tennis Club is one example of a club that undertook the application procedure and 

received over AUD$40,000 funding to transform its facilities. 

Established in 1924, the club is located on Cameron Oval Reserve, in Laharum, west Victoria. This was 

its second major upgrade, the fi rst back in 1954 when the club’s dirt courts were sealed for the fi rst time. 

It was a big project to undertake, but the club desperately needed to replace its courts. 

“Although planning and preparation took five years, the project was constructed within a seven month 

timeframe, three months ahead of our best-expected schedule,” Club Secretary Jo Gardner said. 

“We really valued the ease of application and appropriateness of the funding process to our project.” 

Works were completed in March 2008 with six new courts built from the ground up on a cement base. 

The redevelopment also included fencing, nets, posts, sleeves, caps and lighting for two courts. 

“We have been able to raise our profile as a sporting club within the district and have welcomed the 

opportunity to share our experience with other clubs who have been inspired by our work to improve 

their own facilities,” she said. 

“The upgrade has provided the club with a sound basis for the future.” 

NO. OF DELIVERERS/VENUES 

200 

150 

AVIVA TENNIS HOT SHOTS JANUARY TO JUNE 2008 

DELIVERERS 

VENUES 

58/123 

TOTAL 

158 DELIVERERS 

100 

50 

0 

STATE 

VENUES 

1/5 

39/59 

28/43 

ACT NSW 

15/24 

3/4 

1/1 

281 VENUES 

13/22 

QLD SA TAS VIC NT WA 

Table 8.1 Talent Search analysis. Table 8.2 Aviva Tennis Hot Shots deliverer/venue analysis since the re-launch of the program.

Sustainability and the environment 

Tennis Australia has long demonstrated its 

commitment to the sustainability of our sport and 

the Australian environment through its use of a 

closed loop recycling system in its year-round and 

Australian Open operations. 

Water saving promotion featuring former Olympic swimmer Matt Welsh at AO 2008. 



83


AUD 

$14.8m 

of infrastructure 

development. 

TA supports new Water 

Conservation Plan 

Tennis Australia (TA) widened its sustainability 

activity by introducing a short-term 

extension to the National Court Rebate 

Scheme in November 2007 with the Tennis 

Court Treatment Subsidy available to all MA 

affiliated clubs, centres and associations 

where red porous courts are used. 

New Water Conservation Plan 

Tennis Victoria worked together with the 

metropolitan water retailers (Yarra Valley 

Water, City West Water, South East Water 

and Western Water) to develop a solution that 

increases water savings and provides greater 

fl exibility in the use of tennis courts. 

The alternative Water Conservation Plan 

for tennis clubs with red porous courts was 

developed and approved. TA supported this 

plan by providing up to AUD$200,000 in 

2007–2008 to assist clubs that undertook 

specific actions to treat courts with a water 

saving product to reopen all red porous courts. 

The material used to treat the courts is either 

magnesium chloride (MgCl2) or calcium 

chloride (CaCl2). MgCl2 and CaC12 salts are 

used in road and mine maintenance to reduce 

dusting and to melt snow. Both materials 

dissolve readily in water, so over time rain will 

have a diluting eff ect, with trials on full courts 

showing water usage reducing by 60 to 80 

per cent. Results also indicated a reduced 

expenditure on water and red porous clay 

fines (brick dust) as water consumption is 

substantially reduced and fewer fines are lost. 

The new plan is optional and clubs may 

continue to follow the old rules of watering 

one in two courts if they wish. 


Fewer red porous clay fines (brick dust) are lost due to the material used to treat courts. 

National Court Rebate Scheme 

Environmental factors, maintenance requirements and cost are all considerations when clubs 

are considering upgrading their courts. The National Court Rebate Scheme demonstrates TA’s 

commitment to proactively improving the quality and sustainability of tennis facilities around 

the country. 

Over the last 12 months, TA approved 39 National Court Rebate Scheme applications, 

stimulating AUD$14.8 million of infrastructure development. Resurfacing of 70 existing courts 

to Plexicushion took place and 44 courts were resurfaced to Plexipave. 

Over 30 of the applications also included lights, fencing, ancillaries (for example, nets 

and posts) and water saving measures. In 2007–2008 a total of 272 courts were resurfaced 

and 50 new courts constructed with ITF approved surfaces. 

To qualify for the National Court Rebate Scheme, clubs must: 

• be affiliated with a TA MA 

• have had works completed on or after 1 January 2007 

• have a fully costed financial plan that demonstrates financial resources to undertake the work 

• have a current documented business plan that demonstrates the future benefits of any 

projected works 

• be developing or upgrading existing acrylic, clay or natural grass surfaces 

• agree to implement TA programs and club development initiatives. 

The tiered-level funding is in line with TA’s surface policy, which supports the four Grand Slam 

surface types. 

Court surface type 

Grand Slam played 

on the surface type 

Rebate 

Plexicushion Australian Open A maximum rebate of 

AUD$16,000 per court. 

Acrylic (brands within ITF 

Approved categories 1 and 2) 

US Open A maximum rebate of 


Natural clay French Open A maximum rebate of 


Natural grass Wimbledon A maximum rebate of 


Table 9.1 Funds off ered for installing or upgrading to the four Grand Slam surfaces.

The dust rises on a dry red porous court. 

Albert Jacoby Innovation Grant 

TA encourages innovation in facility improvement and management, recognising innovators 

through the Albert Jacoby Innovation Grant*. 

Grant nominations are open to the entire Australian tennis industry and community but must 

be submitted by their state MA. 

Grant nominations are judged according to a range of criteria. Nominated innovations must: 

• be novel/new 

• be practical to future community tennis facility application 

• be of quantum benefit to tennis clubs/centres or associations 

• be considerate of future maintenance/replacement 

• reduce impact on the environment 

• be cost-eff ective or revenue generating. 

The maximum grant awarded is AUD$10,000 and, in recognition of current environmental 

challenges, in 2007–2008 MAs were encouraged to give preference to applications that 

focused on, or were related to, court surfaces. 

* The late Albert Jacoby was an innovator and the driving force behind tennis facility 

development in Australia. 

TA and recycling 

TA is committed to ensuring the sustainability of our environment through the 

implementation of eff ective waste management processes, teaming with landlords Melbourne 

and Olympic Parks Trust (MOPT), site caterers Delaware North Australia, Visy Closed Loop and 

K&S Environmental to collectively operate a ‘closed loop’ recycling system. 

This on-site waste management program is constantly being updated utilising the latest in 

waste recycling practices. Year-round a sustainable waste management program operates at 

Melbourne Park. In 2007–2008 this encompassed day-to-day TA business operations including 

administration and the National Academies, and events including the Australian Open (AO), 

18s National Camp, Talent Search Days, Futures and ITF Women’s Circuit events. 

The AO is TA and MOPT’s largest annual event. In 2008 the 14-day tournament attracted 605,735 

spectators, and employed more than 4500 staff . The tournament takes a holistic approach to 

recycling that includes the use of 100 per cent recyclable packaging. 

The AO’s recycling program recovers and processes multiple streams of waste. AO 2008 

generated 402.71 tonnes of waste, an increase of 28.46 tonnes from AO 2007. Of this waste, 

72.94 per cent was recycled. Table 9.2 p86 

The new waste stream that was added to the recycling system in 2007 continued with 80,000 

plastic bags used by staff to collect litter, and ‘Clearview’ and wheelie bins were sent to the 

same plastics recycling centre as shrink wrap is sent. These bags, which previously went to 

landfill, will create items such as park benches and signage. 

Signage used around the grounds during the AO. 

Clearview bins are a key part of TA and 

MOPT’s proactive strategy to encourage staff 

and patrons to participate in waste recycling. 

Introduced in 2004, they have clear outer 

shells designed to build public awareness 

of the importance of recycling, assist waste 

sorting and content visibility. 

Of the other types of waste recycled, wooden 

pallets are made into new pallets or broken 

down into kindling for fires, concrete bricks 

are crushed and used as bedrock in road 

construction, waxed cardboard is turned into 

fire briquettes and food is composted at a 

farm in the Dandenong Ranges. 

The AO recycles thousands of used match 

tennis balls each year, selling them to the 

public as souvenirs and to clubs, coaches and 

players around the country. TA gives used 

balls to coaches, sells them to the public 

through the on-site shop or donates them to 

charity. Tennis ball cans are also recycled and 

recycled rubber was used to create the new 

on-court matting as part of the total on-court 

upgrade for AO 2008. 

The clear view bins assist waste sorting 

and improve security. 



85

Sustainability and the environment continued 

The alternative Water Conservation Plan allows all courts to be watered. 

AO water reduction 

Over the last two AOs, TA and MOPT have 

achieved a water usage reduction of 

approximately 54 per cent, saving almost six 

million litres of water each year. 

Drought tolerant plants have been introduced 

into the gardens around Rod Laver Arena and 

Vodafone Arena with recycled water used in 

corporate areas and surrounding gardens. 

During 2007, on-site rainwater harvesting 

tanks were installed and water from these 

tanks was used to clean match courts during 

AO 2008. Wetting agents were introduced 

during irrigation to ensure maximum 

moisture absorption into the soil and subsurface 

hydration systems, in preference to 

“above ground” were used. 

Dry fl ush urinals (desert cubes) were installed 

in all men’s urinals. These urinals save 150,000 

litres of water per year per urinal. Flush time 

and fl ush quantity, where possible, were also 

reduced. TA and MOPT also retrofitted shower 

outlets with water saving devices. 

86 


Reduced energy consumption 

The new plan is 

optional and clubs 

may continue to 

follow the old rules 

of watering one in 

two courts. 

To reduce energy consumption, temporary air-conditioning and refrigeration systems and 

photocopier units were reviewed and consolidated. Site water features were decommissioned. 

AO amenities 

During the AO, cleaning services only used chemicals that were non toxic and low hazardous 

with no impact on the sewer system. TA also supported the Sport 4 the Environment campaign 

during AO 2008. This provided a valuable on-site awareness opportunity which proved most 

successful from a patron engagement and media coverage perspective as swimming stars had 

60 second showers in Garden Square. p83 

Paperless environment 

TA focused on adopting a ‘paperless off ice’ with minimal paper being used as fewer documents 

are printed and more focus is put on scanning and converting all forms of documentation to 

a digital form such as in payroll. p47 Printers have also been set on default to print double 

sided to reduce the consumption of paper. 

By employing responsible recycling practices and developing sports facilities suited to the 

Australian climate, TA demonstrates its commitment to the sustainability of the Australian 

environment, and tennis, on a daily basis. 

Waste type 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 

Total waste recycled 173.65 216.21 297.14 280.04 293.73 4.89% 

Commingled waste (paper, plastic, 

cardboard, glass, aluminium) 

148.77 186.72 210.09 204.8 211.42 3.23% 

Food organic waste 24.32 31.05 32.49 48.06 57.85 20.37% 

Polystyrene 560 kg 440 kg 440 kg 440 kg 550 kg 25% 

Waste to landfill 107.17 96.83 148.42 94.21 108.98 15.68% 

Waxed cardboard * * 420 kg 140 kg 210 kg 50% 

Timber pallets * * 20 13.5 14.94 10.67% 

Steel * * 6 4 2.32 -42% 

Dirty plastic * * * 2.4 6.44 168.33% 

% increase/decrease 

2007–2008 

Table 9.2 AO waste recycled 2004–2008 * Figures not available. Measures in tonnes unless otherwise specified.

Operations 

The Operations business unit is in the unique 

position of working intimately with all of 

Tennis Australia’s business units to deliver the 

Company’s strategic priorities, with a primary 

focus on delivering the Australian Open. 

World No.2 Rafael Nadal approaches the new furniture on centre court at AO 2008. 


Operations 87

88 

Operations 

Objectives 

Strategy 

EventsCo 

EventsCo 

For all Tennis Australia major events 

To set standards of excellence for TA’s major events. 

Deliver the Australian Open. 

Develop and implement an Events Operating Plan for TA events. 

Develop and implement a process for continuous improvement. 

For the Australian Open 

Project manage critical path. 

Stakeholder integration and coordination. 

Venue manager operations. 

Event resourcing plan. 

Deliver world class management and Grand Slam services and facilities. 

Functional area responsibilities. 

Australian-owned 

company WM Loud 

was contracted to 

supply the new 

court surface … 

and commenced 

the civil and surface 

works in June 2007. 


Reconstruction of a new centre court takes place at Rod Laver Arena.

The state-of-the-art automatic weather station 

monitored temperature, humidity and barometric 

pressure and provided the tournament with 

precinct specific weather measurements. 

The new blue court at Rod Laver Arena. 

A new experience at AO 2008 

The Operations business unit implemented more than 70 initiatives at Australian Open (AO) 

2008 with a focus on revitalising the event in as many areas as possible. A number of initiatives 

were geared towards enhancing the customer experience at the tournament including revised 

gate opening times, an enhanced weather bureau service, installation of new large screens on 

The Oval, a new retail superstore, fully ticketed Vodafone Arena and the creation of a new food 

court concept on the Rod Laver Arena concourse. 

Drawing on the success of AO 2007, Tennis Australia (TA) also made a conscientious decision 

to incorporate video line-calling at Vodafone Arena in addition to again using the technology 

at Rod Laver Arena. This involved the installation of two giant video screens, which added an 

exciting new dimension to the arena. 

Changing the court surface 

AO 2008 saw the introduction of a new Plexicushion court surface and new official blue court 

colour, marking the most radical change to the tournament since it moved from grass at 

Kooyong to Rebound Ace at Melbourne Park more than 20 years ago. 

After an annual review of the courts, it was determined a major rebuild was required due to their 

age and condition. New technology was used during the layering process to guarantee a more 

consistent, medium to medium-fast pace across all courts at Melbourne Park and around Australia. 

Australian-owned company WM Loud was 

contracted to supply the new court surface 

for five years and commenced the civil 

and surface works in June 2007. The new 

cushioned acrylic surface was first laid at 

Melbourne Park and Albert Reserve and has 

since been laid on an additional 272 courts 

around Australia. The entire project was 

completed in time for the AO in January and 

resulted in a huge success with the players. 


Operations 

89

Operations continued 

Revised Extreme Heat Policy 

AO 2008 saw the tournament’s amended 

Extreme Heat Policy take eff ect, with players 

required to complete only the current set of 

a match that is under way once the extreme 

heat rule is invoked at the Referee’s discretion. 

Previously, players who had started a match 

had to complete it, regardless of whether the 

extreme heat rule had been invoked. 

To coincide with the new heat policy and 

for the first time in the event’s history, a 

weather forecaster and weather station was 

moved on site. The state-of-the-art automatic 

weather station monitored temperature, 

humidity and barometric pressure and 

provided the tournament with precinct 

specific weather measurements. 

The revised Extreme Heat Policy was introduced at AO 2008. 


Drafting Event Operations Plan 

During the financial year, the Operations business unit developed the first draft of our AO 

Event Operating Plan. Due to the large scale of the AO, TA deemed it critical that all parties 

have a clearly defined scope of operating procedures and deliverables to ensure they meet 

not only their own objectives but also those of the event as a whole. This plan provides a 

comprehensive guide and framework for the delivery of the event. 

The draft captures key operational information including phases of project planning, event 

communications, issue resolution, safety risk management, tournament organisational 

structure and venue descriptions. It was designed to ensure a consistent approach and 

a clear outline of approved operating procedures and principles are achieved. 

While this particular draft plan provides a guide for the delivery of the AO tournament, it also 

off ers a framework for other TA events, providing event managers with a practical tool to ensure 

a consistent process of planning. A final version will be produced prior to AO 2009. Moving 

forward, it is also envisaged that individual plans will be generated for AO Series events. 

AO 2008 saw 

the continued 

development of 

safety policies, 

procedures 

and controls 

introduced 

over previous 

years with the 

additional goal 

of setting a 

higher safety 

standard for all 

user groups.

AO OHS 

Safety management at AO 2008 was enhanced during each of the build, tournament and 

dismantle phases of the event. Due to the high risk nature of construction and the increasingly 

congested nature of logistics on site, the Site safety team focused its eff orts on the build and 

dismantle phases. 

AO 2008 saw the continued development of safety policies, procedures and controls 

introduced over previous years with the additional goal of setting a higher safety standard 

for all user groups. Improvements included the introduction of a formal warning system and 

breach notices for safety code violations, random audits and a dedicated Safety Off icer to 

support the Safety Manager. 

WorkSafe increased its presence on site with 10 site inspections during the three phases. 

A total of six incidents were reported to WorkSafe with only two of these resulting in lost time. 

This was an increase on AO 2007 but can be attributed to more diligent reporting rather than 

poor safety performance. The event had one accident investigation conducted, which resulted 

in some minor remedial works but no official provisional improvement notice was issued. 

Following various government stakeholder 

meetings in January 2008 the Victorian 

Government announced an AUD$2 million 

investigation into the upgrade and 

redevelopment of Melbourne Park. 

Managing international 

events 

During the financial year, Operations staff 

coordinated two Davis Cup away ties and one 

home tie. The first, a World Group play-off 

against Serbia on clay in Belgrade, took place 

from 21–23 September 2007. Australia lost 

the tie 1-4 and was relegated to the Asia/ 

Oceania Zone Group 1. The second tie took 

place from 8–10 February 2008 and was a first 

round against Chinese Taipei in Kaohsuing on 

hard court, which Australia won 5-0. 

Australia then played a semifinal tie against 

Thailand in Townsville on hard court, which 

took place from 11–13 April 2008. The team 

completed its second successive 5-0 victory 

earning them the right to play a final away tie 

against Chile in September 2008 for the right 

to return to the World Group in 2009. 

Operations also managed two Fed Cup ties 

during the financial year. The first of these, 

from 14–15 July 2007, was a World Group II 

play-off on the Gold Coast – the first home 

Fed Cup tie for four years – against Ukraine 

on outdoor hard court. The Optus Australian 

Fed Cup team lost 1-4 and was relegated to 

the Asia/Oceania Zone 1 play-off s. The eightteam 

round robin play-off event was held in 

Thailand from 30 January–2 February 2008. 

Australia defeated New Zealand and India but 

lost to Indonesia and Chinese Taipei to finish 

fourth overall. This result means that the team 

will remain in the Asia/Oceania Zone Group 1 

in 2009 and contest the same play-off event 

in February 2009. 

Melbourne Park master plan 

Following various government 

stakeholder meetings in January 2008 

the Victorian Government announced 

an AUD$2 million investigation into the 

upgrade and redevelopment of Melbourne 

Park. The Government contributed 

AUD$1.5 million with TA and the Melbourne 

and Olympic Parks Trust (MOPT) also funding 

AUD$250,000 each to develop a business case 

for the project. 

The Operations and Tennis business units, in 

conjunction with the Marketing business unit 

and CEO Steve Wood, have since undertaken 

a series of meetings with MOPT and the 

State Government to develop a project 

management plan. 

A Project Steering Group and Project Working 

Group have been appointed to actively 

develop a business case for submission to the 

Government by the end of 2008. 


Operations continued 

91

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