Two boys from Melbourne will have a starring role at this year's Australian Open.
Two boys from Melbourne will have a starring role at this year's Australian Open. Ciaran O’Brien, 15, from Albert Park and Daniel Smorgon, 13, from Toorak will again join the team as part of 320 Aviva Ballkids selected for the Australian Open 2006 Grand Slam event.
This is the second year the 320 Aviva Ballkids have been sponsored by one of Australia's leading financial institutions, Aviva.
Ciaran and Daniel were selected from thousands of applicants aged between 12 and 15 years of age from around Australia and the Asia Pacific region.
Both Ciaran and Daniel have participated previously in the Grand Slam event, as Aviva Ballkids. Daniel is a tennis enthusiast and a member of his local tennis club, Kooyong. Although Ciaran is not a tennis club member, he was keen to secure his place as an Aviva Ballkid in 2006.
Daniel trained hard to be successful throughout the trials. Daniel said: "I practised my ball rolling and maintained a high fitness level."
When asked who their favourite player was, Daniel named Maria Sharapova and Australian Champion Lleyton Hewitt while Ciaran named Marat Safin.
Daniel said: "I applied to be an Aviva Ballkid because I had so much fun last year as an Aviva Ballkid." Ciaran agreed that the prospect of being part of the international sporting event again in Melbourne is exciting.
Daniel says he is looking forward to the experience of being part of the Australian Open 2006. "I am looking forward to having a fun experience and meeting lots of new people," he said.
This year, two Aviva Ballkids will be awarded A$1,000 prize money for outstanding performance and conduct. Daniel said he would buy a new tennis racquet and a cricket bat.
The Aviva branded uniforms worn by each Ballkid will have a highly visible presence in every match played during the Grand Slam event in 2006.
Allan Griffiths, chief executive officer of Aviva Australia, said Aviva was very proud of the efforts and conduct of the Aviva Ballkids in 2005 and looked forward to the upcoming event in 2006.
"One constant on-court presence in an Australian Open tennis match is the Aviva Ballkids, which is a perfect way to have our Aviva brand on show around the world," said Allan.
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For photographs or to interview the Aviva Ballkids please contact:
Mr/Mrs O’Brien
Telephone: 9669 3120
Mr/Mrs Smorgon
Telephone: 9826 8882
For further information please contact:
Simon Morgan
Group General Manager Public Affairs
Telephone: (03) 9829 8892
Mobile: 0407 966 632
Notes to editors:
- Aviva Australia is a group of two specialist financial services companies: Navigator and Norwich Union Life Australia Ltd. Portfolio Partners is the Australian funds management arm of Aviva plc. Through these companies we provide products and services in the areas of wealth creation and wealth protection for more than 300,000 customers throughout Australia.
- Globally, Aviva Australia is part of Aviva plc, the world’s sixth largest insurance group, the largest insurer in the UK and one of the top five life companies in Europe. Aviva was formed in May 2000 through the global merger of CGU plc and Norwich Union plc.
- Aviva is a leading provider of life and pensions products to Europe and has substantial businesses elsewhere around the world. Its main activities are long-term savings, fund management and general insurance. It has premium income and investment sales from continuing operations of A$78.6 billion, and more than A$645 billion of assets under management (as at 7July 2005). The group has more than 60,000 employees and 30 million customers worldwide.
- The information in this document reflects Aviva Australia Holdings Limited understanding of existing legislation, proposed legislation, rulings etc as at the date of issue. In some cases the information has been provided to us by third parties. While it is believed the information is accurate and reliable, this is not guaranteed in any way. The information given in this document is of a general nature and has not taken into account the investment objectives, financial situation or particular needs of any particular person and it is not a substitute for professional advice. Applications to invest in a financial product issued by Aviva, or any of its related entities, must be made by completing the application form attached to the applicable Product Disclosure Statement ("PDS"). A PDS is available from Aviva or your financial adviser. Before making an investment decision on the basis of the information above, a prospective investor needs to consider, with or without the assistance of a professional adviser whether the information is appropriate in the light of their particular investment needs, objectives and financial circumstances. Aviva does not receive any remuneration in relation to the provision of information available from this press release which is of a general nature only.