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Olympic tennis star Storm Sanders sends message to students

Headshot of Indigo Lemay-Conway
Indigo Lemay-ConwaySound Telegraph
Students from Star of the Sea Catholic Primary School with Storm Sanders mother Genene and grandmother Maria.
Camera IconStudents from Star of the Sea Catholic Primary School with Storm Sanders mother Genene and grandmother Maria. Credit: Indigo Lemay-Conway/Sound Telegraph

Local Olympic tennis superstar Storm Sanders shared a personal message with her old primary school last week, aiming to inspire the kids to follow their dreams.

Last week students from Star of the Sea Catholic Primary School gathered together to hear a message sent by Sanders all the way from the Tokyo Olympics.

“I have been playing tennis since I was 6 years old at Rockingham Tennis Club and ever since I started playing I’ve always dreamed of being on the Olympic team and representing Australia at the Olympic Games,” Sanders said.

Students from Star of the Sea Catholic Primary School cheering on Storm Sanders.
Camera IconStudents from Star of the Sea Catholic Primary School cheering on Storm Sanders. Credit: Indigo Lemay-Conway/Sound Telegraph

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“I have been playing tennis and travelling the world for over 10 years and have played some amazing players including Ash Barty, who I’m actually playing doubles with here in the Olympics.

“All I would say to you is to dream big, believe in yourself, have fun and work hard and your dreams will come true.”

Her mum Genene Sanders was also at the assembly and was given a collection of notes written for her daughter by the school kids.

“She’s going to be so excited when she reads the messages these students have written for her. Education is a huge thing for Storm, and now she gets to be a role model to all these kids now which is amazing,” Mrs Sanders said.

City of Rockingham mayor Barry Sammels with Storm's grandmother Maria Linklater, mother Genene Sanders and Tennis West CEO Brett Patten.
Camera IconCity of Rockingham mayor Barry Sammels with Storm's grandmother Maria Linklater, mother Genene Sanders and Tennis West CEO Brett Patten. Credit: Indigo Lemay-Conway/Sound Telegraph

School principal Mauricio Da Silva said the kids had been “so excited” all week to hear Storm’s special message for them.

“They’ve been talking about Storm non stop and about how they want to play tennis. I think the Rockingham City tennis club is going to have a massive influx of players soon,” Mr Da Silva said.

Sanders and Ash Barty beat China’s Yifan Xu and Zhaoxuan Yang in the second round of the women’s doubles at the Olympics on Monday.

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