Tennis
10 October, 2025
Cockaleechie Kid visits the Wimmera for community tennis project
John 'the Cockaleechie Kid' Fitzgerald will spearhead Tennis Victoria's roadshow as it rolls into Horsham on Friday, October 10.
In 18 years as a professional tennis player, Fitzgerald earned the world number one ranking in men's doubles, peaked at number 25 in singles and held all four grand prix men's doubles titles and the mixed doubles championships of Wimbledon and the US Open.
He was also a member of Australia's Davis Cup-winning team in 1983 and 1986 and went on to captain the squad for a decade (including for the Australian victory over Spain in the final in 2003).
Raised on a mixed sheep and cropping property at Cummins, near Cockaleechie in the lower Eyre Peninsula of South Australia, the Cockaleechie Kid spoke often of his love of his family's farming lifestyle.
The Sustainable Regional Tennis project will welcome current and prospective players, administrators and supporters to Horsham Lawn Tennis Club in Baker Street, Horsham, between 4pm and 8pm today, Friday October 10.
Tennis Victoria CEO Kim Kachel said the project was aimed at "redefining what it means to volunteer".
"This roadshow is about creating supported pathways for people to get involved in tennis, whether as a coach, club volunteer or community champion," Kachel said.
“By covering program fees, offering training and backing volunteers every step of the way, we’re making sure regional tennis has the people and programs it needs to thrive."
Kachel said the program had "already seen early success, with momentum continuing to build to support volunteers, coaches and clubs across Victoria".
Horsham is one of 12 locations across regional Victoria being visited by the roadshow.
Attendees will experience on- and off-court upskilling opportunities with Tennis Victoria’s leaders in coaching, programs and advocacy and receive information on new and expanded participation programs such as Hot Shots and Cardio (both delivered by volunteers).
"With no full-time coach in Horsham there's an opportunity to upskill local champions to keep tennis thriving in the Wimmera region," Kachel said.
"The Sustainable Regional Tennis project is vital to the further growth of tennis in the community by helping upskill volunteers."
The afternoon will kick off with a Hot Shots tennis session, followed by a free junior tennis clinic, a Cardio tennis session and a community barbecue, making it a perfect event for all ages.
Fitzgerald and the team will not be empty-handed when they arrive, transporting with them the Australian Open's prestigious singles trophies: the men's Norman Brookes Challenge Cup and the women's Daphne Akhurst Memorial Cup.
His appearance in Horsham will be part of AO on the Road, an annual initiative enabling Fitzgerald to meet fans and celebrate the spirit of tennis.
“AO on the Road is a terrific way to share the excitement of the Australian Open with rural and regional communities," he said.
"It’s also a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the fantastic tennis clubs and volunteers across Victoria who contribute so much to the sport."
Fitzgerald was in the Wimmera in October 2024 to show off the trophies during the opening of the town's new tennis courts, laid to replace recreational facilities destroyed earlier in the year by bushfires.
“This reminds me of my heritage – I genuinely feel it,” he said at the time.
“Cockaleechie... had three tennis courts.
“A bit like Pomonal, it had a cricket oval and a hall where our parents used to go to Saturday night dances and we stayed in the car when we were little kids.
“The courts we had were similar to this but not in as good shape.
"In fact, there were quite a few mushrooms and grass growing through the courts, which was sometimes hard to navigate, and there were more flies.”
