Somerton Park (City/Hills) and Renmark Tintra Lawn (Rural) have been announced as South Australia’s Most Outstanding Tennis Clubs in 2019.
The awards were presented at the Tennis SA Awards Dinner, held at the Hilton Adelaide, in front of 250 attendees on Saturday night.
Following a strong focus on junior participation in recent years, Somerton Park Tennis Club has created a pathway to support and give opportunities to players at all levels. The club is also home to the South Australian Blind Tennis Program, claiming the Most Outstanding Inclusion Program award earlier in the evening.
“We are thrilled to have been announced as the Most Outstanding Tennis Club for the City and Hills,” said Somerton Park Tennis Club President David Thomas.
“We have put an enormous focus on growing the club through ANZ Tennis Hot Shots and to see that work paying off is so rewarding.”
“A huge thank you to our committee, coaching team and club members for their constant support and commitment.”
For Renmark Tintra Lawn Tennis Club, this award sees them take home their first Most Outstanding Tennis Club title after being a finalist in 2018.
The club prides itself on being dynamic, progressive and inclusive, offering a wide range of programs for the community.
“We are so honoured to have won the rural award for Most Outstanding Tennis Club,” said Renmark Tintra Lawn Tennis Club President John Pick.
“It is a huge team effort and wouldn’t be possible without our dedicated committee and members who we would very much like to thank.”
East Torrens Kensington Gardens, Greenacres and Rostrevor were contenders for the City/Hills accolade, whilst Crystal Brook, Two Wells District and Victor Harbor were finalists in the rural category.
The Tennis SA Awards Dinner celebrates players, coaches, clubs, schools, communities, volunteers and officials for their service to the sport in South Australia.
Alex Bolt (Murray Bridge, SA) and Amber Marshall (Gulfview Heights, SA) were awarded South Australia’s most prestigious player awards, the Burr and Boyce Awards.
Marshall also took home the Gwen Thiele Memorial Trophy for most outstanding 18-and-under female, while Oliver Douglas (Coromandel Valley, SA) won the Don Turnbull Memorial Trophy for most outstanding 18-and-under male.
The City of Marion won the award for Most Outstanding Council or Government Department, while Sam von Einem (Glengowrie, SA) was announced as the Most Outstanding Player with a Disability for the third year running.
Sam Wall (Aberfoyle Park, SA) took home the Coaching Excellence – Talent Development award for the fourth time, Domenic Marafiote (Nailsworth, SA) won the Coaching Excellence – Club award for the second time and Elizabeth North Primary School (Elizabeth North, SA) was named the Most Outstanding School.
“The Tennis SA Awards Dinner was a fantastic celebration of the outstanding achievements of our players, coaches, clubs, communities, volunteers and officials,” said Tennis SA CEO Steven Baldas.
“Our wholehearted congratulations to all of the award winners and finalists for their tireless work and efforts in our sport.”
The full list of award winners is as follows:
Boyce Award (best and fairest female tennis player)
Amber Marshall (Gulfview Heights, SA)
Burr Award (best and fairest male tennis player)
Alex Bolt (Murray Bridge, SA)
Gwen Thiele Memorial Trophy (best female 18-and-under tennis player)
Amber Marshall (Gulfview Heights, SA)
Don Turnbull Memorial Trophy (best male 18-and-under tennis player)
Oliver Douglas (Coromandel Valley, SA)
State League Players of the Season
Melanie Clayton (Linden Park, SA) and Mislav Bosnjak (Cumberland Park, SA)
State League Fair Play Awards
Casey Jackson (Camden Park, SA), Jacqui Scott (Kingswood, SA) and Todd McLean (Clarence Gardens, SA)
Most Outstanding Athlete with a Disability
Sam von Einem (Glengowrie, SA)
Most Outstanding 35+ Tennis Senior
Roger Davey (Aberfoyle Park, SA)
Excellence in Officiating
James Goode (Andrews Farm, SA)
Most Outstanding Council or Government Department
City of Marion
Most Outstanding Tennis Club – City/Hills
Somerton Park Tennis Club (Somerton Park, SA)
Most Outstanding Tennis Club – Rural
Renmark Tintra Lawn Tennis Club (Renmark, SA)
Volunteer Achievement Award – City/Hills
Darren Wunderer (Lockleys, SA)
Volunteer Achievement Award – Rural
Chris Scheid (Victor Harbor, SA)
Coaching Excellence – Talent Development
Sam Wall (Aberfoyle Park, SA)
Coaching Excellence – Club
Domenic Marafiote (Nailsworth, SA)
Most Outstanding School
Elizabeth North Primary School (Elizabeth North, SA)
Most Outstanding Inclusion Program
South Australian Blind Tennis Program (Somerton Park Tennis Club)
Most Outstanding Event
City of Playford Tennis International (Elizabeth East, SA)
Most Outstanding Australian Ranking Tournament
State Foundation Cup (Berri, SA)
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