The Kooyong Foundation is thrilled to announce the recipient of the inaugural Barry Barton Scholarship Award: Max Phillips.
The Kooyong Foundation is thrilled to announce the recipient of the inaugural Barry Barton Scholarship Award: Max Phillips. The scholarship, valued at $5,000, is dedicated annually to a junior tennis player from Country Victoria who is also a member of the Kooyong Foundation Scholarship program. It emphasizes exceptional behaviour and sportsmanship in addition to tennis development.
Max Phillips, 16 years old originally from Koroit near Warrnambool, has already made significant strides in his tennis. Phillips joined the Kooyong Foundation scholarship program at the start of 2024 and has shown a high level of dedication and talent since relocating to be a boarder at Caulfield Grammar. The move, which came at the end of 2023, marked a significant change for Phillips, who previously commuted over two and a half hours multiple times a week to train in Geelong. “It was a tough decision to leave home and the family, but it’s been a really good experience so far and great for my tennis development”.
Phillips expressed his gratitude for the recognition, saying, “It feels great to be recognised and supported by Kooyong and the Foundation.” Phillips is enjoying his experience at Kooyong, “I love being down at Kooyong, training in the Foundation squads with quality players and coaches and embracing all the facilities the Club has to offer”.
Speaking on behalf of the Barton family, Barry’s son Ken said ‘We’re very pleased to be supporting the Kooyong Foundation to assist junior tennis players from Country Victoria. Dad loved watching the development of kids from the bush and was keenly aware of the challenges they faced’
Award Background
Barry was a legend of country tennis, winning the 1953 singles title at the Victorian Country Championships which were held at Kooyong for many years. These were the days when the Country Week teams event was held for the first week at Kooyong and then the individual championships the following week. Winning titles like that were no mean feat, in an era when only those in the Davis Cup Squad usually travelled internationally.
As a boarder at Scotch College in the 1940’s he recalled wagging school to cross Gardiners Creek and play tennis at Kooyong. He was a 50-year member of the club, with very fond memories of his time there.
Barry was also a founding member of the Warrnambool Lawn Tennis Club and went on to win the club championships 21 times. He also took part in exhibition matches at the club featuring Australian and International greats including Rosewall, Fraser, Gonzales and the like. The annual Labour Day tournament was also a successful event for him, with many competitive matches against touring professionals including a three-set loss to Neale Fraser the year he won Wimbledon.
In later years, he went on to represent Australia successfully in Seniors tennis. He passed away in 2013 at the age of 85 years.
Scholarship Award
The Kooyong Foundation with the generosity of the Barton family will be providing an annual scholarship that pays tribute to Barry's playing record and sportsmanship, his connection with Kooyong Lawn Tennis Club and association with Country Tennis, all things he held dear, and supports the next generation.
Congratulations to Max Phillips, the first recipient of the Barry Barton Scholarship Award!
