THE Mount Gambier and District tennis grand finals were called off due to the heat rule on Saturday, with the deciders to now be played on March 16.
However, that was not the only action the sport had scheduled for the weekend and Sunday’s cooler conditions allowed the Tennis Australia junior bronze tournament to go ahead as planned.
A total of 74 juniors from the South Eastern Tennis Association region played in the event, which was held at the Olympic Park and Mount Gambier Tennis Club courts and accommodated for ages from Under 10 to Under 18.
Joint tournament director Dave Boyce was pleased with the turnout and the success of the tournament, as it had been some time since Mount Gambier had hosted such an event.
“It was our first Tennis Australian tournament in seven years,” he said.
“To have 74 entries was a fantastic result and some participants earned Australian ranking points from the tournament.
“The day was a huge success for tennis in the area.”
There was plenty of tough competition on the day, but in the end there could only be one winner for each grade.
Ethan Schultz took out the Under 18 boys win, defeating George White in the final, while for the girls it was Emily Edwards who claimed the Under 18 honours.
She defeated Laura McIntyre in the decider.
In the Under 14 category Zayne Young accounted for Ty Lang in the boy’s division to win the event, while Poppy Moyle-Read was the victor for the girls, after she won over Jorja Mitchell.
Jace Maxwell claimed the Under 12 boy’s win from Jonty Collins.
For the Under 12 girls, Jayme Young finished on top, while Kiele Longbottom was runner-up.
The joint Under 10 divisions saw Sam Haase claim the win over Lucy Handbury.
The consolation winners in the Under 14s were Jessica Stutley and Shaun Robinson, while Charlotte Clyne and Toby Stutley won the Under 12 consolation finals.
Deemed as a success, the tournament reflected the strength of junior tennis in the region, despite the struggle faced by the senior divisions of late.
“The juniors have not gone backwards in numbers now for four years in our local competitions,” Boyce said.
From the tournament, players will now be selected to compete against other country teams in the Foundation Cup in Berri later this year, with a trial process to be conducted on Sunday, March 24 at Olympic Park.
“The tournament was a great help to choose the team for Foundation Cup in October,” Boyce said.
“That is a country areas tournament which is held over four days in Berri.”
From there several pathways can open up, with the chance to be recognised on the national circuit.
