Tennis NSW

Country Starz

 Country Starz is a post junior program developed by Tennis NSW’s Tennis Country Management Committee.  The program was created due to a void in player development for athletes aged 18-22 years. 

Tennis Country also acknowledges the need for financial assistance for regional athletes at tournaments and competitions, especially in this age-group.  As such Tennis NSW through the Tennis Country Management Committee has invested significantly into the country starz program to assist a team of 12 selected players with accommodation, travel, training assistance and management at more than six selected regional tournaments, the NSW Country Tennis Championships and NSW State Academy Training Days during the year.

Frequently Asked Questions

How will the Country Starz team be selected?

Tennis Country has appointed a Program Manager; Chris Maddocks (Northumberland) and a selection panel which consists of four current country delegates.  They are;  Chris Maddocks, Ellen Gordon (Northumberland), Andrew Mitton (Central West) and Justin Sherriff (North West).

Tennis Country has elected to open the applications to all Tennis NSW Registered Players affiliated with a Tennis NSW recognised club or association in any of the six country regions of NSW. Each regions selectors will recommend candidates which will then be considered by the selection panel when selecting the team. 

Entry guidelines

18- 22 years (Must be 18 by the 31 December each year).

What benefits will I receive as a player?

Each player on the team will be financially subsidised at six (6) selected regional events; NSW Country Championships and NSW State Academy Team Challenges and Training Days at Sydney Olympic Park. Financial subsidies will include accommodation costs when housed with the team, team transport costs, team meal subsidies (breakfast and dinner), team tracksuit, team accessories bag – including strings, over grips etc.

What is expected of me as a player?

The Country Starz program expects that all athletes will uphold the standards of fair play, sportsmanship and all areas of the Tennis Australia Code of Behaviour when participating in sanctioned tournaments and competitions. Please remember that you are at all times promoting Country Starz and any behaviour that does not meet these standards will be dealt with in line with the Player Disciplinary process.

Can my individual coach be involved?

Tennis Country recognises the need to integrate a player’s individual coach into the Country Starz program. All team training sessions will allow individual training to take place. Players with/without individual coaches will have access to Tennis NSW’s player development coaches at all team training sessions and throughout each tournament (when available). Individual coaches will not be financially subsidised through the Country Starz program.

Why did a player get in that wasn’t ranked as high as another?

The Australian Ranking (AR), although considered in selection, is only one of the guidelines used by Country Starz selection panel. The program will support players accumulating AR points, however, some players may be selected because they have supported country tennis but have had the inability to accumulate AR points. Also players who demonstrate high levels of sportsmanship and good behaviour will be considered highly.

Do I have to stay with the team?

All team athletes will be housed as a group. Team, bonding and friendship are vital components of the program. Athletes will be under team rules at each event and will be subject to a code of conduct contract at all times.

What tournaments will I have to attend?

Compulsory events include the NSW Country Championships held in Newcastle each year and the Inauguration Day at the Sydney International in January.

Other current subsidised events for selected athletes include -

1. Gosford AMT – Platinum
2. Wollongong AMT – Platinum
3. NSW Country Closed Championships
4. Grafton AMT – Platinum
5. Bathurst AMT – Gold
6. Griffith AMT – Platnium

Expressions of Interest

Please send all expression of interest to Program Manager, Chris Maddocks via e-mail [email protected]