FOREVER YOUNG

FOREVER YOUNG – A Geoffrey Reed Film

This documentary is a true-life story of indomitable spirit by the world’s oldest competitive tennis player, set against the Russian War against Ukraine.

A heart-warming story about the life and times of the legendary Henry Young, now the world’s oldest competitive tennis player at 102 years of age.

In February 2022, Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine, starting the biggest conflict in Europe since World War II. The war brought a refugee crisis and  over 1 million wounded and dead. In the news was a story about a Ukrainian Tennis player Leonid Stanislavskyi. Then 97, Leo held the Guinness world record oldest competitive tennis player title.

Geoffrey checked with Henry who is six months older. The Russian Invasion was an outrage. I remember the frustration of feeling powerless to do anything about it. This triggered Geoffrey’s idea for Henry to challenge Leonid for the title. The match was called The Clash of the Centurions to raise money for Ukraine war victims.

Henry was on-board in a heart-beat. Together we filmed Henry’s  challenge Ukraine’s Leonid Stanislavskyi, to a match to decide the title role. Leonid was then refusing to leave his apartment in Kharkiv, which was severely bombed during the Russian invasion.

Australia’s National Newspaper has called our Clash of the Centurions the best “good news story” of the year in 2022-23.

The 2023 Australian Open loved the story too. We got a greenlight and Clash of the Centurions match was played on centre court at Rod Laver Arena in January 2023. A sell-out crowd of 15,000 watch our centurions play alongside Zverev and Tiafo together with Rafa, Andy Murray, Demon and other world’s top players in a fundraiser for Ukraine War victims. 

After the 2023 Australian Open, Tennis Plays for Peace, run by the ATP, WTP, ITF and the 4 Grand Slams had raised over $4 million for Ukraine war victims.

Forever Young then showcases Henry’s newfound celebrity as a guest on The Front Bar, The Project, plus his many remarkable exploits on and off the court. These include: Skiing at Mount Buller, winning the ITF Super Seniors Singles in Majorca, Spain. Inducted into the ITF Hall Of Fame, Co-Piloting a Jet Fighter, and receiving an OAM from Her Excellency Frances Adamson at Government House the week before his 102^nd birthday.

Forever Young will have its world premiere at The Capri Cinema Goodwood at 3pm on Sunday February 8, 2026.

FOREVER YOUNG MOVIE TICKETS on sale at HUMANITIX

Henry, Geoffrey and David Penberthy will appear onstage after the movie to conduct a Q&A with the audience. First public release DVD copies of Forever Young will be on sale for $25 in the foyer. Mail orders $30 including postage. Part Profits to Ukraine War Victims charity Tennis Plays for Peace.