Senator Kate Lundy tonight joined the Australian tennis community to congratulate the winner of the 2011 Newcombe Medal Sam Stosur at the Australian Tennis Awards in Melbourne.

The Newcombe Medal is awarded to Australia’s most outstanding elite player in recognition of Australian tennis legend John Newcombe.

Representing the Minister for Sport Senator Mark Arbib, Senator Lundy said in September Stosur become the first Australian female Grand Slam winner since Evonne Goolagong in 1980 when she won the US Open.

“Sam united a nation with her fantastic performance at the US Open.  The win capped off a fantastic 2011 after years of dedication and hard work,” Senator Lundy said.

“Her win will inspire the next generation of tennis players and give young girls another role model to look up to. I look forward to seeing a new crop of girls pick up a tennis racquet and join their local tennis club to follow Sam’s success.

“I also congratulated her coach, Dave Taylor, on winning the Coaching Excellence-High Performance award for this work and success with Sam in 2011.”

Senator Lundy presented the Volunteer Achievement award at the awards and extended her congratulations to Tom Hancy.

“Volunteers are the unsung heroes that make Australian sport what it is today and I congratulate Tom on this very well deserved award,” Senator Lundy said.

Senator Arbib congratulated joint winners of the Junior Athlete of the Year Ashleigh Barty and Luke Saville.

“Luke and Ashleigh showed that Australian tennis has the potential to enter another golden era with their individual triumphs in the 2011 junior Wimbledon boys’ and girls’ singles,” Senator Arbib said.

“Along with Bernard Tomic, who made the quarter-finals of the men’s singles draw at Wimbledon, Australia has a fine crop of youngsters aiming to replicate the great tennis players who have gone before them.”

Senator Arbib praised 15 year veteran Kelly Wren in winning the Most Outstanding Athlete with a Disability.

“Kelly is a wonderful role model and advocate for people with disability. Her award comes in a year where she also won two gold medals at the Special Olympics World Games in Greece,” Senator Arbib said.

The Australian Government is a strong supporter of Australian tennis and provides over $1.4 million of funding annually to support the AIS program and help develop the sport at grassroots level.