Newcastle Knights legend Marc Glanville knows well the significant role sport plays in bringing people together.
That is why he was keen to throw his support behind new community tennis program Rally4Ever that was launched by Bar Beach Tennis Club on Tuesday.
The free, one-hour, weekly program is designed to get people moving, learn tennis skills, and form meaningful social connections.
"They don't have to be the world's best player; it's just about getting out and exercising, which is great for your mental health," Glanville, who is now the senior community development officer for Alcohol and Drug Foundation, said.
"But, it's also then meeting other people, forming relationships, mateship. I was fortunate enough to play rugby league all of my life and I have got lifelong friends out of the sport."
Former professional tennis player turned tennis media commentator and tennis coach Louise Pleming established national charity Rally4Ever and wants to see the program offered by every tennis club in Australia.
"I met a homeless guy three-and-a-half years ago," Pleming told the Newcastle Herald. "He asked me to play tennis with him, so through that connection and that moment, we started playing tennis more and more.
"I saw what a lift it gave to him. How much his body language changed. His personality. He became so much calmer, so much more positive. I thought, this is pretty powerful. Why not try to reach out to more people.
"Brian now is one of the coaches for Rally4Ever, so he now reaches out and helps other people."
Bar Beach Tennis Club manager and tennis coach Michael Mills said the program uses tennis to break down barriers for people and plans to expand the weekly community sessions to include basketball and soccer.
"Exercise, and tennis, is a great way to get people involved in a safe and fun environment," Mills said.
"You can come down and have a hit. Anyone can turn up. You don't have to be able to play or have the equipment. People can have a hit, have a chat, meet some new people."
Lifeline Hunter has come on as a program partner through providing mental health support and suicide prevention training to program co-ordinators.
Fleming described the partnership with Lifeline as "our biggest win".
"We want to allow anyone in the community to get out on the court and thrive and feel like Roger Federer, or Serena Williams, or Ash Barty," she said. "Social connection has been the biggest thing from Rally4Ever, putting people together and creating opportunities for people to connect and to play."
The Bar Beach progarm is on every Tuesday between 11am and 12pm.
To find out more or support the program visit rally4ever.org.
Participants must be double COVID-19 vaccinated.
