By Mark Heenan
MEET Australian Diamonds’ netballer Tegan Philip – the newest race ambassador for the Ocean Grove Surf Life Saving Club Rip to River Classic this month.
The Melbourne Vixens netballer who hails from Anglesea on the Surf Coast, was presented with her Rip to River Classic souvenir singlet on 30 November.
“I am definitely interested in supporting this event – I think it is a great community event and fund-raiser,” Philip said.
Philip, 28, the all-time leading goal scorer at the Vixens, missed the 2016 season after she ruptured the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in her left knee while playing in an ANZ Championship pre-season practice match.
The Geelong-based athlete has earned nine Australian test caps and was a member of Australia’s 2014 Commonwealth Games gold medal-winning side.
The star goal attack is well known in local sporting circles after she conducted a series of leadership talks at the Ocean Grove Netball Club in recent seasons.
Philip became the face of the iconic run after Geelong-raised triple Olympian and marathon runner Lee Troop based in the US, was unable to fulfil the prized ambassador role due to overseas work and family commitments.
Preparations are underway for the 37th Rip to River Classic, Ocean Grove SLSC biggest annual fund-raiser, on Saturday 31 December.
Adult prices start from $45 online for this summer’s most anticipated beach fun run.
Event categories include the 10km Beach Run or Walk, 5km Beach Run or the 1.4km Ripper Nipper Beach Fun Run.
Log on to oceangroveslsc.asn.au/ for more information on how to registrate for this summer’s iconic event.
The joint Rip to River Classic and inaugural K rock Ocean Open Water Swim Festival launch takes place at Ocean Grove SLSC on Thursday 15 December.
