$500,000 private donation largest ever for sport in Canada, Davis Cup hero Dancevic receives honour.
Canadian tennis fans had every reason to raise a festive glass before the holidays as they gathered to celebrate good news for the future of Canadian tennis. At an afternoon media conference held in Toronto, Tennis Canada President and CEO, Bob Moffatt, announced a $500,000 donation made on behalf of Jim and Margaret Fleck in support of excellence for the future of Canadian tennis. The valued contribution provided the impetus for two new Canadian athlete programs: the Canadian Champion Grandstand Court Dedication and the Fleck Excellence Fund.
"The Fleck family has been vocal, committed and generous with their continued support of tennis in Canada. The opening of the Rexall Centre provided the impetus for the Fleck family to carve out specific initiatives to further the optimism of the future for Canadian tennis. The initiatives created will make a significant impact fostering excellence with our athletes” said Moffatt.
The Fleck family’s passion and enthusiasm on and off the court has been well documented. For ten years Jim Fleck served as member of Tennis Canada Board of Directors with four of those as Board Chair.
The Canadian Champion Grandstand Court Dedication aims to celebrate and recognize the achievements of Canada’s top player over the next 10 years. The inaugural dedication will be unveiled at the 2004 Tennis Masters Canada with the Grandstand Court to be named after the male recipient of the 2004 Tennis Canada Excellence Award. In 2005, the top female player will have their named honoured with the Grandstand Court.
The Fleck Excellence Fund is a discretionary fund, created to assist Canadian athletes achieve top singles rankings. Tennis Canada announced that Niagara Falls native, Frank Dancevic, has been named the 2004 recipient. He will receive a total of $25,000 to offset the cost associated with on-the-road touring expenses. “I’m very excited to receive this. I think this donation will help future players, like myself, compete with the best players on tour. It’s great for tennis in Canada”, Dancevic said.
Dancevic recounted his Davis Cup heroics for the media and sponsors on hand. The 19-year old will now set his sights on Florida to begin training for the start of the 2004 campaign in Australia.
Vice-President, Tournament Director, Stacey Allaster also provided the crowd with a progress report on Rexall Centre. Among crediting the project team, she also noted that the centre court stadium is on schedule to be completed at the end of March and that Tennis Canada is set to move into its new offices by the end of May.
From July 24-August 1, 2004, the best of the best in men's tennis will unveil the Rexall Centre for the Tennis Masters Canada.
Session tickets and corporate hospitality packages are now available.
Session tickets: Please contact 1-800-398-8761 ext. 333