Sydney, 13 February 2007 – Sony Ericsson and the Sony Foundation Australia produced two extra winners at this year’s recent Medibank International tennis tournament in Sydney. Twelve-year-old Giulia and fourteen-year-old Nicolas Mason, members of CanTeen’s Offspring program, participated in a tennis clinic hosted by former Australian tennis player Todd Woodbridge. Giulia and Nicolas lost their mother to cancer in 2005, leaving their father, James, as the single parent. As official entertainment partner of the Medibank International and global sponsor of the Sony Ericsson WTA Tour, Sony Ericsson worked with the Sony Foundation Australia to make the tennis clinic possible for Giulia and Nicolas.
The Sony Foundation Australia is always looking to help disadvantaged youth develop their skills. A chance to play tennis with an Australian tennis star like Todd Woodbridge was the perfect start to the New Year for Nicolas and Giulia. The clinic gave Giulia and Nicolas the chance to jump on the tennis court and have a hit with a famous tennis celebrity. “Todd took the time to offer us some Wimbledon winning advice’, said Giulia. ‘We had a great time, learning lots of tennis skills.”
CanTeen is an organisation, which supports and assists young people on their journey through cancer. “CanTeen doesn’t just support cancer patients, but also offers programs which support their brothers and sisters, as well young people who have parents or a primary carer with cancer,” said Andrew Young, CEO of CanTeen. “The Sony Foundation Australia supports the Offspring program, which helps 12-24 years-olds who have parents or a primary carer with cancer and the tennis clinic at the Medibank International is a great example of the kind of opportunities we aim to provide.”
“The tennis-coaching clinic was a great experience and a lot of fun for the kids,” said James. “They really enjoyed it and were ‘buzzing’ afterwards. Thanks to Sony Ericsson and the Sony Foundation Australia for their support.”