By Casey Neill
Australian tennis ace Nick Kyrgios plans to serve up a youth space in Dandenong.
Greater Dandenong Council and Dandenong MP Gabrielle Williams have welcomed further discussion on the very preliminary plans for the sports hub at Greaves Reserve.
Nick Kyrgios Foundation CEO and Nick’s brother, Christos Kyrgios, told the Journal that Nick wanted to tackle homelessness and crime issues.
“He wants to set it up to help disadvantaged youth,” he said.
“There are some issues there that I believe we can definitely help with.
“We want to get some of these kids in there to get a go at something.”
Christos said Greaves Reserve in Bennet Street, home to the Dandenong Show and sporting facilities, was the foundation’s preferred site.
He said it already had tennis courts and space for field sports, and the foundation planned to add basketball courts, dorms and kitchen facilities.
Christos said NK Foundation would pair up with the Reach Foundation so it could run programs for young people from the facility as well.
“It’ll be a safe house where people can come and play sport and hang out,” he said.
“We want to get involved in personal development, guiding them in a positive direction.”
He said the foundation wanted to work closely with Greater Dandenong Council.
“We’re in the process of putting together the application, the proposals now,” he said.
He said the foundation was taking donations to set up the site and others around the country.
“There’s going to be two arms to the foundation. There’s going to be that permanent venue,” he said.
“We’re doing heaps of activation type stuff as well.”
Christos said Nick welcomed sick and underprivileged kids to the court for warm-ups before his Australian Open games.
“We had a great few families there and had some very happy young kids,” he said.
Greater Dandenong Council CEO John Bennie said that someone connected to the project contacted him on Thursday 25 January to discuss the youth sports centre plans.
“Any project that can benefit the people of this city, support youth in their growth and development and assist us in promoting the City of Greater Dandenong in a positive light is something we would welcome,” he said.
“Council looks forward to meeting with the Nick Kyrgios Foundation in the near future to discuss this proposal further.”
Ms Williams heard from Christos on Wednesday 24 January.
“While we are still waiting to see what might be possible, I’m excited by the prospect of the Kyrgios Foundation having a presence in Dandenong, for the benefit of local youth,” she said.
“Christos and I had a good chat about our shared priorities, the importance of sport in youth engagement and creating opportunities and pathways for young people experiencing disadvantage.
“I look forward to continuing these discussions and working with the Foundation and council in the time ahead.”
