Sport
15 March, 2022
Clubs to get visit from Ash Barty’s dad
THE father of Grand Slam Champion Ash Barty is taking the trip to the Atherton Tablelands next week, hosting an all expenses paid Q&A with both the Mareeba and Atherton Tennis Clubs.
Rob Barty sent a message out to the clubs after his daughter requested he host Q&A’s at local Far North Queensland clubs with “no costs to the local community and a sizzle for everyone to attend”.
Mareeba Tennis Club president Mark Keating admits he was said he was shocked to receive a phone call from Mr Barty himself.
“I was speaking to a bloke in Cairns, and he asked if we’d be interested in doing this and we said we would and we thought it would just sweep away and nothing would happen any further,” he said.
“A day later there was Rob Barty ringing me, I didn’t even know how he got my phone number!”
Mr Barty’s intentions for his visit is to promote the sport where his daughter claimed fame and to help get kids and parents proactive in the sport.
Mr Keating said he believes everyone can benefit from the opportunity, as it is one that is rarely presented in Mareeba.
“I hope they embrace this because we don’t get these opportunities very often and when we get them, we should take them and grab it with both hands,” he said.
“I think the whole club can gain, not only the kids but the parents too, there may be a few future Ash Barty’s there, who knows.
“It’s a way to give back to communities and its really important for people to understand its not all smooth sailing, there will be ups and downs.”
Standing in secretary and treasurer for Atherton Tennis Club, Beth Johnson said she looks forward to having the father of an icon in town and hopes that tennis players alike take up the opportunity to speak with him.
“We are extremely lucky to have Ash’s dad coming up, she is such a lovely person and an inspiration to us all,” she said.
The community, particular Tennis Club members are invited to come along in either Mareeba on March 20 at 4pm or Atherton on March 21 at 6pm to meet with Mr Barty.
To register for the Mareeba Q&A, message the Mareeba Tennis Club Facebook page or email mareebatennis@bigpond.com To register for the Atherton Q&A, message the Atherton Tennis Club Facebook or call 0400 253 826.
