1,000 tennis rackets for 1,000 girls: Here we go!

"Promoting young talent is a top priority in the sporting state of Upper Austria because it is important to get young people moving. In this respect, we are delighted that the most important women's sporting event in Austria is now also organising the largest youth initiative for women's tennis in our state," says Upper Austrian State Councillor for Economic Affairs and Sport Markus Achleitner.
 
The young talent campaign will then be extended to other federal states next year. The next stop will be Lower Austria. In spring 2022, companies will also be invited to organise taster tennis days for employees and their families on their own company premises with "POP-UP Courts" or to provide coaching sessions for girls. 
 
Sandra Reichel has a big goal as the initiator of the biggest campaign for young talent: "My wish is that every girl in Austria gets the chance to hold a tennis racket in her hand at least once. Owning a racket is the first hurdle to playing tennis. We then create the necessary sustainability through contacts with coaches, clubs and associations and through further offers for training and taster sessions."

The "1,000 tennis rackets for 1,000 girls" campaign is also supported by our partner LINZ AG very gladly supported. This unique young talent initiative centred around the raffle of 1,000 tennis rackets is also of interest to many LINZ AG customers and employees' families.
 
Hans SommerPresident of Upper Austria's regional tennis association, commented on the young talent initiative as follows: "As OÖTV President, I very much welcome the '1000 rackets for 1000 girls' campaign, indeed I would describe this idea and its realisation as sensational and unique. There has never been an opportunity like this before for kids in Upper Austria and here at the Upper Austria Ladies Linz. I am convinced that the sport of tennis itself will benefit immensely from this project and that this will also increase the number of members for our Upper Austrian clubs, especially in the girls' sector. We should also think about rolling out this project throughout Austria over the next few years and adding a 0 to the 1000 tennis rackets, so that we could then provide 10,000 kids with rackets every year - in the spirit of equal rights for boys too! - with rackets every year. All the tennis clubs in Austria would certainly give Sandra Reichel a medal for this."
 
Marion MaruskaÖTV Sports Coordinator, is also very enthusiastic about Sandra Reichel's commitment to young talent: "I think it's great that girls have the opportunity to get into tennis so easily. I'm looking forward to many young girls continuing to play this wonderful sport with passion. Of course, I hope that many girls will find their way into the clubs and that a broad base will develop there, from which players for the Billie Jean King Cup will also emerge in the future."   

Torsten BonackerMarketing Communications Manager of Dunlop International, said: "We are driven by an overwhelming passion for the game - we want to play it, to improve it. We give every player access to the same beautifully designed and technically advanced sports products. For over 130 years, it has been the love of the game that has driven us. We are very pleased about Sandra Reichel's initiative."

All information about the "1,000 clubs for 1,000 girls" campaign and the corresponding registration options can be found at www.ladieslinz.at.