Goolagong National Development Camp 2017


This week Monash University is again hosting the Goolagong National Development camp for the 7th year running, aiding the Evonne Goolagong Foundation to provide opportunities for young indigenous tennis players.
The Clayton Campus is delighted to have the incredibly talented tennis players using our facilities, under the tutelage of the great Evonne Goolagong.  The partnership with Monash University is not only designed to improve their athletic ability but to identify a pathway to tertiary education and support the students through their education. 
The tennis camp is the culmination of a yearlong process encouraging active participation in sport, promoting a healthy lifestyle and most importantly providing an avenue within the education system to achieve success off the court.  Whilst their athletic ability is naturally taken into consideration, the defining criteria for the camp is personal development and academic participation.  To succeed in the program you must “Dream – Believe – Learn – Achieve,” and for the participants to be “willing to improve themselves given half a chance,” in every facet of their life.
 One such athlete is Jesse who has used the development camp to change his life for the better.  Jesse reflected on his years attending the camp stating “that it has been an amazing experience,” teaching you to “change yourself as a person, rather than just improving on the court.” The program also helped him progress through the education system, giving him the tools to improve his grades. As a result, Jesse has started university in Australia and plans to ply his trade as a talented tennis player in America through the college system. 
Roger Cawley thanked TeamMONASH for the positive impact the camp has on the 28 kids who are selected to participate in the camp but also the many hundreds of kids who attend the ‘come and try days’.  Parents had been noting that their kids’ behaviour and attitude were positively influence by what they had learnt. The program is setting up kids for success, regardless of whether they are selected to attend the Goolagong Development camp at Monash University Clayton Campus.

Written by: James Oana
Media Coordinator

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