James Murphy
AN icon of Mount Gambier and District tennis has been recognised for her service to the sport in the Limestone Coast.
Cassie Edwards has been a mainstay of the tennis scene over several decades, with her work in the junior ranks most notable over the last 20-plus years.
Now her legacy has been immortalised, with Court 3 at the Olympic Park complex named in her honour.
Upon stepping down from the Lakes Junior Tennis CEO position for the 2023-24 season, the Association decided to acknowledge her many years of service in a special way.
“I had no clue, it was a complete surprise,” Edwards told The Border Watch following the announcement.
“Honoured and humbled would be the two words I would use.”
Court 3 already held a special piece of Edwards’ heart, being her go-to coaching court.
Now it holds even more sentiment.
Edwards served at the head of the Lakes Junior Tennis Association for 19 years and while she stepped down from the head position this season, she has remained actively involved behind the scenes.
As a result, Mount Gambier and District Tennis Association president Andrew van den Hurk and his committee decided to present a gift to Edwards for her service.
Her name now resides alongside several other Limestone Coast stalwarts of the game, a privilege which was not lost on Edwards.
“I feel very emotional and very honoured, especially just to be included with those other special people,” she said.
She thanked the MGDTA and all involved for bestowing her with the honour.
When asked what has kept her involved with the sport for so long, Edwards said “it (was) the passion”.
“I have always loved tennis,” she said.
“I think it is a great sport because you can play at any level, at any age and it is a great social sport.”
The roots of that passion lie in working with junior players and helping them grow and thrive both on and off the court.
“I get a lot of enjoyment out of watching the kids improve,” Edwards said.
“They start as these little guys who can’t hit the ball and then they end up being good.
“It is not only the technical improvement and watching them become good at the game, but also seeing them enjoy the game.”
Some of the A Grade players who competed in the recent grand finals were long-term students of Edwards.
She said it was “very special” to watch them grow up and still possess a love for the game.
A love for tennis runs in Edwards’ family and she now even has a granddaughter who has picked up a racquet.
“My kids love tennis – in the old days I would play tennis and they would all be there playing around and it was a great family atmosphere,” she said.
“It is a great sport.”
Edwards thanked the MGDTA and all involved for their continued support.
