Wahgunyah Tennis Club’s own Hugh Bergin was joined by his mum Katie, brother Will and dad Sean at the Tennis Victoria awards where he was nominated for the Community Hero award for his dedication to the Racquets Against Breast Cancer (RABC) tournament.
Wahgunyah Tennis Club’s own Hugh Bergin has been making moves on and off the court, most recently nominated as a Tennis Victoria Community Hero through his incredible dedication to raising funds for breast cancer research with his annual tournament, Racquets Against Breast Cancer (RABC).
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At just 12 years old, Hugh has also recently earned the highly coveted Indigo Shire’s Young Person of the Year award for 2025.
The RABC tournament, which Hugh first organised at 10 years old and is to be held again this Sunday, March 2 at the Wahgunyah Tennis Courts, has become a standout event in the Wahgunyah community.
Wahgunyah Tennis Club President Sandra Johnstone said Hugh’s nomination for the Community Hero award was very well deserved.
“This is the third year the Racquets for Breast Cancer event has been held, so at 10, Hugh coordinated most of it, he's absolutely amazing,” Sandra said.
“He is just so well organized with it all. Obviously, he gets assistance from his mum and dad Sean and Katie and younger brother Will. But before the event this year, he's been and contacted people for donations towards the raffle.
“Previously we had John Voss, who was a life member of our club, nominated who had a great relationship with Hugh.
“John would see Hugh practicing when he was first coming up with the family and sit there and calmly explain the game to him, coaching and everything so it is great that these two great members of our club have been recognised for their contributions.
“This was a well-deserved nomination, and we are glad that Hugh is part of our club!”
Hugh’s selflessness and leadership haven’t gone unnoticed. Back in May 2023, he was named Tennis Victoria’s Community Champion of the Month, and in 2024, he was a finalist for Tennis Victoria’s Volunteer of the Year award.
These accolades highlight the impact Hugh has made in his community, not just as a young tennis player, but as a changemaker dedicated to creating a positive legacy.
Hugh’s motivation comes from a personal place. With breast cancer affecting his family, he wanted to take action.
What started as an idea has now become a cherished annual community tradition, with the tournament becoming a platform for raising awareness, and support for breast cancer research.
Hugh himself said that he was surprised by the recognition, although those around him know how worthy he is.
“I am doing things I love. Organising a tournament and encouraging people from different areas to come to our town to play tennis and raise money for a great organization,” Hugh said.
Hugh’s mum Katie quite rightly has a lot of pride in Hugh and the recognition he has received as he works hard and is passionate about doing different things and helping others.
“I thought it was such a big idea when he initially pitched it to us but after showing us his drawings and ideas in his book, we couldn’t say no. We thought this could work,” Katie said.
“He spoke to his coach in at the Margaret Court Tennis Academy who gave him some tips for running a mixed doubles tournament with different grades.
“Luckily our Wahgunyah Tennis Club President Sandra Johnstone was excited by the idea and was all for helping Hugh to bring it to Wahgunyah.
“Over the past three years it’s grown and the sponsors and grants from the Indigo Shire have helped him raise more money for Albury Wodonga Regional Cancer Centre Trust.”
Racquets Against Breast Cancer tournament
One of Wahgunyah Tennis Club’s biggest annual events, and the event that Hugh inaugurated himself, the Racquets Against Breast Cancer is on again this Sunday, March 2.
Wahgunyah Tennis Club is now preparing for another unforgettable Racquets Against Breast Cancer tournament this Sunday, March 2.
With support from Wahgunyah Tennis Club, local businesses, and community members, Hugh’s passion project is inspiring others to join the fight against breast cancer.
A Fast4 doubles competition at its heart, which will begin at 9am with participants to be in attendance from 8.30am, also offers family-fun activities like raffles, face painting, a BBQ, and a radar gun challenge for tennis enthusiasts eager to test their serving speed.
There will be a junior competition, a senior which is graded A, B and C and then if there's time, there will be a mum and dad, mum and son or daughter and vice versa so that they actually involve the whole family when they're down there on the day.
This combination of fun and philanthropy has captured the hearts of locals and tennis fans alike.
Even if you can't play tennis, just come down for the day and join in as there will be a pink theme for breast cancer with some nice outfits on show.
The inaugural RABC tournament was an overwhelming success, raising over $3,000 for the National Breast Cancer Foundation with the community’s enthusiasm not wavering since, now raising a combined total of more than $6,500 in its two years.
If you can't make it on the day, you can use the QR code on the pamphlet around town to make a donation.
Make sure to get to the Wahgunyah Tennis Courts this Sunday, March 2 at 8.30am and join Hugh and Wahgunyah Tennis Club in their mission to rally against breast cancer.
