After over 15 years at the helm of both the Buninyong and District Tennis Association and the Mount Helen Tennis Club, Mandy James has had her hard work recognised.
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James has been announced as one of three finalists for the 2019 Volunteer Achievement award by Tennis Victoria.
The nomination nearly went unnoticed to James, as she admitted when she received the email from Tennis Victoria informing her of the achievement, she deleted it without opening it.
"I had absolutely no idea," she laughed.
"I received the email from Tennis Victoria that I deleted straight away that told me so I didn't actually know until a friend texted me and said congratulations on your nomination and I said "what nomination?"
James said it is nice to have her work acknowledged, especially as the sport struggles in the region.
"It's nice to be acknowledged as someone who's been doing the job for over 15 years and trying to maintain a tennis association that isn't strong at the moment."
James believes volunteers are vital to all sports in regional areas as they allow organisations to run smoothly and reduce costs for participants.
"Volunteers are incredibly important in not only tennis but all sports... without volunteers it becomes un-affordable but also often the sport just dies."
James wants to ensure that doesn't happen to tennis in Ballarat. The award winners will be announced at the Tennis Victoria Champions Dinner, which is set to be held at The Pullman, Albert Park on Friday 18 October.
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