Children’s Medical Research Institute (CMRI) invites you to participate in our upcoming tennis tournament, hosted at North West Sydney Tennis - Pennant Hills, on the 12th of October.

Thirty years ago, CMRI created ‘Jeans for Genes’ Day to raise awareness about the 1 in every 20 children born with a genetic disease or birth defect, and to raise funds to launch its gene therapy research program. Today, we celebrate the successes of gene therapy in treating and effectively curing kids of formerly fatal conditions, while acknowledging there are still many more diseases to be solved.

This tennis tournament is being held to raise funds for CMRI, with 100% of the funds raised to go to research in the Stem Cell Medicine Group at CMRI to find treatments and cures that can help individuals living with an inherited retinal disease - the leading cause of blindness in working-aged adults in Australia.

Please join us for a day of tennis, good food, and to hear how our researchers are developing treatments for inherited retinal diseases. With your support, we hope to raise over $10,000 for CMRI and promote greater awareness about inherited retinal diseases.

Event schedule

Entertainment (TBC) and food from 11am, match play to start at 12pm. Raffle draw and presentations will occur from 3pm. The event is expected to close by 4pm.

Food will be available upon purchase from 11am to 3pm. This will include a sausage sizzle, drinks, and cakes.

Tournament details

This tournament is a beginner to intermediate tennis competition only - with a juniors draw and adult draw.

Juniors: intermediate players, 10-16 years old.
Adult (16 years and older): you have only played recreationally or in beginner-level clinics, or in small community competitions (e.g., Division 1, 2 or 3 at the Pennant Hills Adult social competitions held Monday-Thursday)

Players will be required to understand the game rules and scoring system.

All games will be played as doubles (or mixed doubles). You may choose to register with another player to be partnered with, or choose to be allocated at random. If you are entering with someone else, please ensure you have entered their details where requested in the registration form. Otherwise, player pairs will be randomly allocated to a draw based on their indicated level of play. Players in each pair are required to be at the same level. In the case that one player is intermediate, and one is a beginner, this pair will be allocated to the intermediate draw.

Tournament format

Format will be best of 8 games OR once 15 minutes has passed (whichever occurs first). Games will follow fast deuce rules (i.e., once 40-40, the next point wins). The Tournament will be a round robin, with points awarded per game won. This means that you will have the chance to play at least 6 matches.

The top pairs from each draw will continue on to the final know rounds.

Further details about the format and the draw will be emailed to you prior the event.

Tournament conditions

This is a non-NRT Tournament. As such, there will be no impact on UTR rankings.
Minimum age requirement is 16 years old.
Each player must submit a separate entry form, on or before the closing date,
In entering the Tournament, a player automatically grants the right in perpetuity to make, use and show pictures of him/her, motion or still, taken during the competition without compensation.
Matches will commence at the time stipulated on the Fact Sheet (to be emailed out closer to the event). Play may continue under lights.
Players must report to the organiser at the venue 15 minutes before the scheduled start time.
Entries will close at 12pm 8th October 2024 (unless capacity is reached sooner)
No refunds will be given for withdrawals or wash-outs as the registration fee will be donated to CMRI.

Prizes

Tournament trophies will be awarded at the ceremony after 4pm. Prizes include a Yonex Percept 100D tennis racket and United Cup merchandise pack (donated by Tennis World, Olympic Park, valued at over $500) and Haigh's Chocolate hampers (donated by Haigh's, valued from $120).

Raffle prizes will be awarded at the ceremony after 4pm. Raffle prizes up for grabs includes Haigh's Chocolate hampers (donated by Haigh’s, valued from $120), an Australian Open merchandise pack (donated by Tennis Australia Foundation, valued at $155), and NWST merchandise pack (including grips, wristbands, hat, balls and court hire vouchers, valued at over $100).

FAQs

Do I need to have any tennis experience to be able to enter this tournament? There are two draws for this tournament. At a minimum, you will be required to have played recreationally or in beginner-level clinics. All players will be required to understand the game rules and scoring system. We will have a social court available for a casual hit if you have never played and would have a chance to do so.
Do I need to bring a racket and/or tennis balls? You will need to provide your own racket. Tennis balls will be provided.
How many games will I get to play? This will depend on how many registrations we receive. We anticipate you will be able to play at least 6 matches, following the above format. This will give you a chance to play with different pairs of players.
Can people attend the event if they aren’t playing in the tournament? Yes! We would love for you to bring along any friends or family to join. There will be food, entertainment and music playing throughout the day. There is a playground for small children, and face painting for a small donation. Unfortunately, furry friends are not allowed.
What does the $40 registration cost include? This includes participation in the tournament, court hire, tennis balls, and 1 free drink (Powerade or Water).
Can I swap out with another player? If you are unable to attend, you are able to swap your registration for another player that would fall under the same draw category as you. However, the same players will need to compete for the whole tournament.