26 September 2025 | Tennis Tasmania

Balin Russell (Marist Regional College) and Alicia Dale (St Mary’s College) claimed victory at the 2025 Pardey Shield over the weekend.

Dale made history by becoming the first girl to win the prestigious title five times, cementing her place among Tasmania’s most successful junior players. She secured the championship with a 6-2, 6-2 win over Escher Case-Boag.

On the boys’ side, Russell produced a strong performance to overcome Charlie Marsden 6-4, 6-3, earning his name on the historic shield for the first time.

Both players will now see their schools proudly display the Pardey Shield until next year’s competition.

The Pardey Shield represents the Tasmanian School Boys and Girls Championships and has been played since 1918, where the trophy was donated by Dr Pardey of Launceston in 1917.
Previous Girls Champions include the likes of Australian and French Open singles finalist and five-time Grand Slam doubles champion Helen Gourlay and Angie Cunningham (nee Woolcock). Previous winners in the Men’s competition include former tennis professionals Simon Youl, Matthew Porter, Andrew Painter, David Drysdale, David Tunbridge and ex-Tasmanian Cricket Captain and Australian Representative George Bailey, who is a three-time champion.
The winners each year can have the shield on display at their school until the next competition which is run annually.