'We never heckle': Behind the all-Aussie cheer squad that rivals the Barmy Army
Gareth Fletcher and Pat Gittoes, the founding members of a cheer squad known as The Dundees, are ensuring their group is well-represented at the Australian Open.
The pair of Queensland mates formed an official Australian tennis cheer squad that rivals the Barmy Army and have travelled to dozens of sporting matches across the globe to cheer on homegrown Aussie talent.
Fletcher and Gittoes recruit Australian supporters from around the country to proudly wear the green and gold and encourage "respectful" patriotism whenever a local athlete takes the court at Melbourne Park.
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Gareth Fletcher and Pat Gittoes - AKA The Dundees. Supplied
"We respect the etiquette of the game, so we never heckle, we only cheer in between points," Fletcher told Wide World of Sports.
"We're just trying to encourage the Australian players to play the best they can."
Between them, Fletcher and Gittoes have attended 18 Davis Cup ties, 20 Australian Opens, three Fed Cup Ties and three Presidents Cups.
At the Australian Open 2025, around 130 Dundees members attended the tennis in its first week.
This year again, you can spot supporters around Melbourne Park donning the green and gold outfits and cork hats.
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The pair of mates have recruited hundreds of supporters to cheer on Aussie players at tennis matches. Instagram/@the.dundees
The Dundees also gathered 50 fans to cheer on the Aussies at the Davis Cup in Sweden last year, and are now recruiting supporters to travel to Wimbledon in June and July.
"We basically support the Australians, get the crowd going and get the atmosphere going inside the stadium," Fletcher added.
Their larrikin mission has been compared to the famous travelling British cricket fan club known as the Barmy Army - but they do things a little differently at The Dundees.
There's no jeering or booing. There is only pure positivity from The Dundees crew.
You can spot supporters around Melbourne Park donning the green and gold outfits. Instagram/@the.dundees
"They're great and they're very entertaining, but they do heckle. They do that in cricket. You can't really do that in tennis, you'd get kicked out," he said.
"We're family-friendly as well. So we want kids and all ages to join."
