Migrant parents’ work ethic inspires Australia’s biggest tennis stars Lizette Cabrera and Priscilla Hon.
Both men are on the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) tour, but they have more than just a love of the game in common, as both were raised by parents who emigrated to Australia.
Cabrera and Hon want to raise awareness and be role models for children from similar backgrounds, encouraging others to get involved in a local sports club.
When Cabrera visited Melbourne’s Rod Laver Arena last month, the world number 140 was unsure how she would compare to world number two Simona Halep.
The 23-year-old – currently ranked 6th in Australia – said despite the defeat, she learned a lot from her opponent, who went on to advance to the semi-final of the Australian Open.
“It was really good to watch that and learn from it,” Cabrera said.
His debut at Rod Laver Arena was a far cry from his humble beginnings as a junior growing up in Townsville in North Queensland.
Lizette Cabrera with her parents, originally from the Philippines. (Provided)
It was his parents, who emigrated from the Philippines to Australia, who inspired Cabrera to pick up a racquet for the first time.
“My parents really loved tennis and as soon as my dad could put a racket in my hand, he did, and ever since I was four and a half years old, I’ve loved it,” she said.
Lizette Cabrera, as a child, playing tennis with her father. (Provided)
Although she has now turned her beloved sport into a professional career, Cabrera remembers the days when her parents worked at the local slaughterhouse to finance her athletic pursuits.
“They made a lot of sacrifices for me and I wouldn’t be here without them,”
» said Cabrera.
“They made sure that every week, with my tennis lessons, we saved enough money so that I could go and enjoy and have a good life.”
Lizette Cabrera as a child with her mother. (Provided)
Tennis has also provided opportunities for 22-year-old Priscilla Hon, who is also on the international circuit and ranked 132nd in the world.
Her parents – who emigrated from Hong Kong in 1996 – made sure she was exposed to every sport she wanted to try.
Priscilla Hon began traveling in Europe at the age of 12 playing tennis. (Provided)
“I did every sport I could: I did swimming, I did running,” she said.
“I started traveling to Europe when I was 12 and I never would have been able to do it if I hadn’t played tennis.“
Priscilla Hon with her family. (Provided)
“Know where to go”
Multicultural Australia has said it is concerned that a large proportion of migrant children in Australia are not receiving the same opportunities.
The organization’s CEO, Christine Castley, said local clubs needed to understand the cultural and linguistic differences that are one of the many challenges faced by migrants and refugees.
“Cost is often a major issue, as well as being able to access programs and knowing where to go,”
» said Ms. Castley.
Although research is lacking, the organization is concerned that 51 per cent of children born in Australia regularly participate in “leisure activities”, compared to just 25 per cent of children born overseas.
That’s why Multicultural Australia is launching a pilot program in south-east Queensland to sponsor up to 1000 participants to try a new sport over the next two years.
“We work with clubs who are very, very keen to welcome new participants, particularly from immigrant backgrounds,” Ms Castley said.
Athletes would benefit from a four-week introduction to sports such as AFL, football, tennis and netball to help them assimilate into local sporting clubs and groups.
“We’re starting out with a focus on South East Queensland, but as we sign up more clubs, we’re absolutely keen to participate with clubs across the state, in regional communities, and we can go into some of those rural areas,” Ms Castley said.
Athletes like Cabrera and Hon would be ambassadors for the project, alongside netballer Romelda Aiken, AFL star Cam Ellis-Yolman and A-League goalkeeper Jamie Young.
“For me, tennis has created a lot of incredible opportunities, incredible friendships,” Cabrera said.
“I was able to travel and do things that I might not have been able to do if I hadn’t played sports.”
Lizette Cabrera and Priscilla Hon in their youth. (Provided)
