The Hobart International 2019 will introduce a Player Welcome Party at Hobart's Government House to help raise money for charity partner FightMND.
The general public are invited to attend the official player party on Friday 4 January, where they can enjoy canapes as the tournament’s official draw is conducted.
A $15 minimum donation is required to attend, with all proceeds going directly to the FightMND cause.
FightMND is an Australian charity that aims to find a cure for Motor Neurone Disease (MND) and supports families affected by the terminal illness. It was founded in 2014 by AFL icon Neale Daniher and Pat Cunningham.
Cunningham’s late wife Angie (nee Woolcock) grew up in Launceston and competed in the first Hobart International tournament in 1994. She later worked as an official at the event, before losing her battle with MND in 2016. The Hobart International introduced the Angie Cunningham Trophy in 2018, a newly designed trophy for the women’s singles champion, as a tribute.
Hobart International Tournament Director Darren Sturgess believes the charity party is an exciting way to begin the 2019 tournament.