Thirty lucky students at Good Shepherd Primary School received a visit from world No.288 Kimberly Birrell (Qld) and world No.994 Edward Bourchier (Tas) who are in the capital for the Apis Canberra International.<\/p>\n
The players enjoyed a hit of tennis with the children on the ANZ Tennis Hot Shot Courts at the school, before answering questions from the children about their idols, favourite foods, and hardest matches.<\/p>\n
Good Shepherd Principal, David Austin said that the visits from the players were very exciting and beneficial for the students.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt really shows the kids that they can play sport for enjoyment, but are also able to see that it\u2019s possible to go on and do something really good\u201d.<\/p>\n
Austin also emphasised the benefits of playing tennis at primary schools.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe role of tennis at Good Shepard Primary is to get kids outside, teach them some skills, help fulfill the curriculum and have a bit of fun\u201d.<\/p>\n
The school was given the player visit as part of a competition from last years\u2019 tournament, when each school was given a player to back in the tournament, with Good Shepherd getting the eventual women\u2019s winner Olivia Rogowska.<\/p>\n
Birrell, a hopeful for this year\u2019s title, was enthusiastic about her role as an ambassador for tennis in the community.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s something really cool about being a tennis player in getting to spread the word, and helping to get a younger generation involved. It\u2019s awesome to see- I wish when I was at primary school that we had sportspeople come in and speak to us, so it\u2019s really cool to do.\u201d<\/p>\n
Birrell, coming off her biggest win to date in the Darwin Tennis International last month, hopes to use the confidence she gained there during her time at the Canberra Apis International.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s coming to the end of the year, so it\u2019s one of my last tournaments of 2018. I\u2019m just looking to end the year on a really good note. I love playing here in Canberra and I\u2019m really excited to be back\u201d<\/p>\n