Tennis clubs around the Riverland will become a hive of activity early next month as part of a week-long launch of the 2022/2023 summer tennis season with the Barmera Junior Series Event, State Foundation Cup and Tennis SA State League All Stars all set to hit the region.
The Barmera Junior Series Event will take place at Barmera Tennis Club from Saturday 1 to Monday 3 October 2022 with the junior participation event open to players aged 18-and-under, including a 10-and-under Green Ball event.
“We love hosting tournaments and we believe the timing is absolutely perfect leading into the summer of tennis here in the Riverland,” Justin Bannear, Barmera Tennis Club President said.
“We are running a format where the kids are guaranteed plenty of tennis over the three days, so our message would be to come and have a hit.
“I don’t think I can recall kick starting a tennis season like what we’ve got happening this year! School Carnival, followed by Junior Event, Foundation Cup and then the weekend after that is the All Stars event, it’s a pretty jam packed calendar for the community to get involved in.”
The State Foundation Cup will return to Berri Tennis Club for the ninth consecutive year from Tuesday 4 to Friday 7 October 2022.
A record of 168 players across 11, 13, 15 and 17/u age groups are expected to take part in the four day event.
The event will see representative teams from six country regions across the state take part in both a team competition and individual tournament. Players will be accompanied by two Tennis Australia qualified coaches from within their region.
The event has a strong focus on the development pathway for junior regional players, engaging them in competitive opportunities to prepare them for their future in tennis.
“It’s huge for our club to host this event. The Foundation Cup is the largest event that we hold each year and the one that requires the most resources,” Julie Day, Berri Tennis Club President said.
“It’s really special to see the regions come together each year and that’s why we love working on this event so much. It has such a good vibe and the kids just have a ball. It is definitely our favourite tournament of the year.
“From Barmera to Berri to Renmark, it’s going to be a great way to start off the season with a bit of a bang and hopefully all of the hard work is going to pay off.”
The final event will see the Tennis SA State League All Stars visit the region to launch the 2022/2023 Tennis SA State League season.
Tennis SA, in conjunction with the Renmark Paringa Council and Riverland Tennis Association, will host the event at Renmark Tintra Lawn Tennis Club on Saturday 8 October 2022.
This will be the second time the state’s highest level competition visits regional South Australia, following the highly successful inaugural event held in Port Lincoln, Eyre Peninsula in 2021.
Eight Tennis SA State League players will join eight local tennis players to make two teams for the match, with players to be announced in the coming weeks.
Festivities will kick off with a Tennis Hot Shots Red Ball Carnival commencing at 9:30 am on Saturday 8 October. The Carnival will come following Tennis Hot Shots District School Carnivals held in Renmark and Waikerie during August, with Loxton and Barmera to be held in mid-September.
Local school students and junior tennis players are being encouraged to sign up through their local club to join a team for the Carnival as a curtain raiser for the Tennis SA State League All Stars match commencing at 11:30 am.
“It is truly exciting to have the All Stars visit the Riverland. It should draw tremendous support from our tennis community and it is something that we are really looking forward to,” John Pick, Riverland Tennis Association President said.
“I think it allows our juniors to see what tennis can look like at the highest level in the state. It’s a great unifying event for the Riverland community, with all clubs involved, all in the name of tennis and all looking to make this a truly memorable event.
“The Red Ball Carnival will be a follow up to the School Carnivals held around the region and I’d urge all kids to sign up and be a part of it on the day, with and alongside the best players in the state and the Riverland.
“To have these three events one after another, you couldn’t get any better and it’s possibly the best start to a season we’ve ever had. We are hoping that it can kick start a really exciting tennis season here in the Riverland.”
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