PASSION
A life without passion is no life. To find passion you must look within yourself. Do not listen to those who try to influence you to take precautions against your passion. Look inside yourself, what you truly wish to do and you will find it there.
JOY
That which gives you most joy in life is to manage to rejoice with what you manage to do. I remember the joie de vivre of my own mother. She worked so hard to allow my brother and I to complete our education but always maintained that infectious sparkle in her eyes. She has been my inspiration and has taught me never to complain or find excuses for my mistakes and to believe that there are no limits to what we can achieve in life and to rejoice when achieving them.
COURAGE
It is fundamental to learn about courage and to learn to believe in ourselves. To have problems and to make mistakes is normal. However, do not allow yourself to be defeated and never give up in your pursuit of what matters to you. The most important thing, more than an outcome based on winning and losing is to know that you have given all you had. To have tried to the best you could in the best way you could and according to your means to look to the future and finish each day one step forward.
SUCCESS
If you follow joy and passion with courage, we can talk about success and this is one word which has value to most in today’s society but what does it mean to be successful? To me is what you do with what you have and to realise what you are in the best possible manner and this is the same for everyone.
SACRIFICE
I was raised by a single mother with no father. Back in Italy in the 70s, this was a stigma. Life was not easy but I have managed to prosper within my own means, created my work opportunities and I have found personal success through sacrifice and I assure you that sacrifice is not a bad word. Sacrifice is the essence of life and the door to discover meaning.
Youth is the time of building your foundations. This is why you need to apply yourselves now and every day. You owe it to yourselves and this will pave your future. This is why this time of your life is so important. Do not believe that which is available without sacrifice. Do not trust it, it is an illusion. Your effort and hard work build your bridge between your dreams and your reality.
All my life I have tried to be true to myself. As a result some people truly love me and some love me a little less. To the former I say thank you for believing in me. You are part of my overall inspiration pushing forward to create, inspire and sustain.
To the latter I say try not to judge me based on your individual perception, or my accent or the way I look. Instead consider what has been achieved through my efforts and those of all the individuals who have supported this project and what we can continue to build if we truly work together.
This completes a personal dream for me. My job is done, my promise complete and yet what remains is a strong desire to continue to experience that amazing wave which is life still full of hope and full of dreams and to those who come behind me I say embrace your dreams and follow them. Daily heroes are those who give their best in life on a daily basis. Daily heroes include your fathers and mothers who bring a family up despite the many challenges all around. They include your teachers who work so hard to give you an education. You have my deepest respect and thank you again for your support.
To undertake and complete a project of this size requires significant support and I would like to acknowledge with deep gratitude the following individuals who have given their professional expertise often without remuneration over so many years.
Anita Esslinger and her team of lawyers (Gupinder, Martin and Sarah) at Bryan Cave. You have been part of my angels.
David Cox of Fenn Cox and Partners. Accountant and friend.
David Wood and George Caddy. You are incredibly successful in your own right. You do not need to be involved and yet you make time for your community by continuing to serve as Trustees.
David Waldon of WWJ – you are just incredible and you can even make someone like me look tall, dark and handsome. That is marketing for you…making you believe.
Tina – the day you stop, this club will stop. You and I cannot retire, ever. Period.
All the many families and friends who have been loyal. If I mention one is not fair towards the others but you are here and you know who you are and I thank you for your support and if you are not here you will receive a copy of this speech. To you all I say without you we cannot exist.
Daniel Blyth and all the other tennis leaders and coaches. When I see what you young people are capable of doing I watch in amazement. You refuel my inspiration on those rare occasions when my tank is temporary low.
Adam Thorne for supporting this project and making his staff and the School’s resources available to us. I am aware of the challenges this project has presented to the School and I am grateful to you and your team for your support.
Brigid Hardy – the latest addition to the School and the project. You reinforce in me the belief that when individuals really want to do something they just can and will not stop at the first challenge.
Concluding, it is my pleasure to welcome so many of you here along with our special guests and our funders. Welcome to Hylands at the Albany, a new era in sporting and educational achievement.
