Louise Is Tennis' Latest Calender Girl
Illawarra Mercury
Saturday December 27, 1997
A decade on the international tennis circuit has done little to dull the spark in livewire Louise Pleming.
Popular among her higher-profile peers because of her lack of pretence and self-described "wild streak", Los Angeles-based Pleming remains one of the most entertaining doubles players on the tour.
The 30-year-old from Wagga Wagga has a reputation for drawing a crowd whenever she and doubles partner Olga Barabanschikova practise during tournaments because of their love for non-traditional outfits.
With her flair for eye-popping fashion and charisma to match, super-fit Pleming seemed a natural choice for a sporting calender.
But rather than wait for an offer, Pleming came up with her own calender featuring Australia's tennis stars.
Included are Pat Rafter, Mark Philippousis, the Woodies, Nicole Bradtke, Rachel MacQuillan and Jason Stoltenberg.
Pleming also appears astride a motor scooter on a highway on the outskirts of her home town.
In Wollongong for a few days to train with coach George Vangelovski before hitting the Australian summer circuit, a candid Pleming is hoping the Oz Tennis-backed calender is a hit.
"We had a great time with the calender. We haven't done a typical tits-and-arse calender because it's all been done before. The players look very cool out of their sport clothes and the shots show their personalities," she said.
"The Rafter shoot was quite a scene because there was hardly anyone around when we got started. When people began realising it was Pat taking his shirt off we soon had a big crowd."
Pleming, who designed the calender with brothers Daniel and Michael in what she called "a Pleming family gig", said the proceeds of its sales will almost all go to underprivileged children.
"A lot of kids are disadvantaged and don't get the opportunities other kids get. Hopefully we can help give them those opportunities they wouldn't normally receive and they can get involved in tennis through coaching and training."
NOTE: The calender is only available through newsagents.
© 1997 Illawarra Mercury