2004 NEWS

125 YEARS OF BECKENHAM GRASS, June 2004

On Saturday 19th June, 2004, Maria helped Beckenham Lawn Tennis Club celebrate 125 years of grass court tennis on the famous Foxgrove Road courts.

Beckenham holds a very special place in Maria's heart and she has been an honorary member there for over 15 years. She even has her own lounge, named in her honour!

The 100 year old listed tennis pavilion was thoughtfully restored by a group of dedicated tennis members, officially re-opening in 2003 and including the Maria Bueno Lounge which is full of interesting memorabilia relating to Beckenham's glory days.

This year Maria presented the prizes to the winners of the club tournament.

Here she is pictured with triple crown winner Brett McLennan, the club pro who won the singles, doubles and mixed.

AWARDS

Maria (photographed left Joan Chandler) was inducted into the International Women's Sports Hall of Fame in October 2004 at the 25th anniversary of the Annual Salute to Women in Sports Award Dinner held at the Waldorf Astoria in New York.

Some of the best female athletes in the world were presented in the Grand March during the gala event, and awards were given out for their significant contributions to the development of women’s sports, raising more than $1 million to help advance the lives of girls and women through sports and physical activity.

Attended by over 1,400 corporate and individual benefactors, the benefit featured some 80 Olympic and champion female athletes representing over 35 amateur and professional sports.

Photographed on the right are IWSHF inductees Nancy Hogshead-Makar (Swimming), Beverly Kearney (Track & Field Coach) and Maria with Wilma Rudolph Courage Award winner jockey Julie Krone and Sportswoman of the Year Misty May (Beach Volleyball) at the press conference on Monday, October 18 2004 (Photo by CAFoell)

Founded in 1974 by Billie Jean King, the Women’s Sports Foundation is a charitable educational organisation seeking to advance the well-being and leadership skills of girls and women through sports and fitness.