Tennis NSW

Tennis Country News

The NSW Country Championships moved to a new home in 2011 – Newcastle.  Nat Maraga from the Central West Region was the Men’s Open winner backing up after winning the title in 2009. Northumberland’s Elizabeth Searl won the Women’s title.

Below are the other successful winners and runners up in the Open events:

• Open Men’s Singles: Nat Maraga def Joseph Teege
• Open Men’s Doubles: Justin Astri/Luke Rankovich def Ciaran Lavers/Jack Maddocks
• Open Ladies Singles: Elizabeth Searl def Britt Huxley
• Open Ladies Doubles: Britt Huxley/Elizabeth Searl def Nicole Bouffler/Bronwyn Plowman
• Open Mixed Doubles: Jack Maddocks/Trudi Musgrave def Jo Teege/Britt Huxley

The junior section of the NSW Country Championships commenced on Sunday afternoon with Medibank Private sponsoring a ten pin bowling event as a welcome to the country championships and was very well received with approx. 100 juniors attending.  This event was run with the assistance of Tennis NSW Community Tennis staff, Michelle Clarke, Nicole Bouffler, Maurice Murphy, Matt Star and Ken Wray as the MC for the event – Tennis Development General Manager, Jackson Hills was also in attendance. Tennis Country wishes to thank the Tennis NSW staff for their assistance in making this “Welcome to the Junior Country Championships” a very friendly and well attended event.

The junior championships commenced Monday morning and with no rain over the five days, play went to schedule with the latest matches being scheduled for 4.15 p.m. daily. Everyone was very pleased with the early finishes and the fact that all events could be played at District Park.

Tennis NSW President, Harry Beck and CEO Glenn Tasker visited on semi final Thursday and spent their time chatting with parents and viewing some great junior country tennis.

“To have the Tennis NSW staff, Harry, Greg and Glenn in attendance gives the event the prestige it richly deserves and all parents, coaches and our juniors enjoy seeing the executive of the organisation in attendance at these events.  It is much appreciated by all” said Wendy Saville, Chair- Tennis Country and Tournament Director.

Friday’s Presentation was held at approx. 1.30pm where all winners and finalists of events completed were presented with their trophies, Perpetual Trophies and Medibank prizes.

Tennis NSW Vice President, Greg Doyle attended on Friday and assisted with the presentation and addressed the players and parents. The 16 girls perpetual trophy has been donated by Pat Bailey – most know Pat as Trish O’Gorman, mother of Gabby and Sam, from Gunnedah. Trish was asked to present her perpetual trophy to winner, Tara Hamilton. The Ken Ritchie Memorial Trophy for Best Sportsmanship displayed during the Country Championships was won by John Gardiner from Merimbula and Tara Hamilton (Junction Hill). They were presented with the trophy by Pat Dunham – Referee.

Tennis Country thanks goes to Medibank Private, who has been the naming rights sponsor to our Junior Country Championships for the past 4fouryears and to Tennis NSW for their on-going support.

Tennis Country Delegates and Tournament Director, Wendy Saville congratulate all the winners and finalists and all those who participated in the 2011 Country Championships. Thanks also to the Tourament Referee, Pat Dunham, court supervisors and Top Spin Tennis – Newcastle who provided restrings, clothing/merchandise and food and beverage  to satisfy the hungry players and anxious parents watching the play!

The event returns to Newcastle in 2012 – so pencil it into your tournament schedule for next year!

Click here for a full set of the Open results

Click here for a full set of the Junior results