After a busy tennis year, on Friday 9th May we celebrate tennis in Western Australia and recognise the outstanding achievements of our state’s junior and senior players, clubs, coaches, schools, volunteers, officials and administrators of our sport.
Here are all the 2024/25 Tennis West Awards Finalists and Inductees for each category:
HALL OF CHAMPIONS INDUCTEES
Dorothy ‘Dos’ Whitely
Dorothy Whitely or better known as ‘Dos’ to family and friends was a former professional tennis player from Western Australia. Dos was highly talented at a young age, winning many junior and senior pennant titles at Alexander Park Tennis Club. Dos would go on to win the club championships at Alexander Park Tennis Club a record 14 times. Dos was Western Australia’s number one ranked junior and senior player during the 1950s and 1960s winning multiple state titles in both singles and doubles.
Representing Alexander Park Tennis Club, Dos won the inaugural winner of the Champion of Champions event in 1964 and won the event again in 1968. Dos also represented WA in the Junior Wilson Cup team and as a senior in the Australian Championships between the years of 1958 and 1968.
Dos made the singles main draw of the Australian Open on six occasions with a career best result of making it to the round of 16. In the doubles, her best result came in 1962 and 1964 when she made the quarter finals.
In 1965, Dos travelled with fellow West Aussie Pam Brand to London, England in the hope of qualifying for Wimbledon. Dos played 10 tournaments in England with the view of achieving enough successful results to gain direct entrance into the main draw of Wimbledon. Dos was able to successfully play in the main draw of Wimbledon in 1965 and 1966 reaching the round of 64 in 1966.
On returning to Perth in 1966, Dos later married and had two delightful daughters Kristy and Misha. She continued to enjoy her tennis and her love for her family before passing away in November 2023 in Perth, Western Australia aged 81.
Paul Kilderry
Paul Kilderry is a former professional tennis player from Western Australia. As a junior, Paul grew up in Perth and was coached by his father Rob. He reached a high of number five in the world in the junior ITF Junior singles rankings and number four in doubles. His best performance was reaching the semi-finals of Wimbledon as a junior and winning the Japan Open Junior Championships.
Paul made the singles main draw of the Australian Open in 1994, 1995 and 1996, Wimbledon in 1993 and 2000 and the US Open in 1994. His highest World Singles ranking was 138 achieved in 1995. Paul played doubles in all the Grand Slams as well as winning three ATP Tour doubles titles over his professional career from 1992 – 2001.
Paul retired from professional tennis after the US Open and started coaching in Melbourne at Royal South Yarra Lawn Tennis Club, which led to a national coaching position for Tennis Australia. Paul coached Alicia Molik then became a player manager managing the likes of Casey Dellacqua, Samantha Stosur, Daria Saville, Thanasi Kokkinakis and Jason Kubler.
In 2012, Tennis Australia took control of the Hopman Cup – a tournament that had always been close to Paul’s heart. Paul was deputy tournament director before he was appointed tournament director in 2013, a position he held until 2019. In 2023, Tennis Australia appointed Paul as the Director of Professional Development where he remains today.
LIFE MEMBER INDUCTEES
Anthea McGrath
Anthea’s dedication and passion for the sport have made a lasting impact, both on and off the court. Through years of hard work, commitment, and unwavering support, Anthea has earned a place of distinction in our tennis family.
A longstanding member of Cottesloe Tennis Club, Anthea began her journey in WA tennis as a volunteer in the 1980s, and since then, she has undertaken numerous roles with enthusiasm and professionalism. Anthea’s commitment has extended well beyond the tennis courts. She has been an active member of various committees, contributing her insights and expertise to strategic planning and decision-making processes. Her leadership and spirit have been invaluable in driving initiatives that have enhanced the overall experience for members and the broader tennis community.
Her involvement has spanned across various capacities, including competition and leagues coordination, fundraising and committee and governance roles. In addition to these voluntary roles, Anthea also served the Hopman Cup for many years primarily coordinating the transport drivers.
Anthea McGrath’s tireless efforts, passion for tennis, and unwavering dedication to Tennis West make her a deserving candidate for Life Membership.
Congratulations, Anthea on this well-deserved recognition!
ARTHUR MARSHALL COACHING EXCELLENCE AWARD
Eddy Kong – Perth Performance Tennis Academy
Megan Henry – Dumbleyung Tennis Club
Conor Smith – Team Tennis WA
PERTH AUDIO VISUAL COACHING EXCELLENCE – DEVELOPMENT
Phillip Lamprecht – Europe Tennis Academy
Conor Smith – Team Tennis WA
PERTH AUDIO VISUAL COACHING EXCELLENCE – PERFORMANCE
Rhys McDougall – Play Tennis
Brad Dyer – Next Step Tennis Academy
KC AUSTRALIA VOLUNTEER ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
Jodi Johnston – Manjimup Tennis Club
Samantha Vallet – Ocean Ridge Tennis Club
Suzanne Kingston – Bayswater Tennis Club
Chris Tomlinson – Tenterden Tennis Club
SPORTROPHY OUTSTANDING CLUB – LARGE
Hensman Park Tennis Club
North Beach Tennis Club
Belmont Tennis Club
SPORTROPHY OUTSTANDING CLUB – SMALL
Safety Bay Tennis Club
Tom Price Tennis Club
Ocean Ridge Tennis Club
EXCELLENCE IN OFFICIATING
Natalie Dellamarta
Debbie Napier
Rosario Corvaia
DAWN HAY MEDAL – OFFICIATING
Jill Sheridan
Carol Hill
Judith Hawrylak
HEALTHWAY OUTSTANDING COMPETITIVE PLAY EVENT
Beverley Lawn Tennis Club – Annual Easter Tournament
Busselton Tennis Club – March Open Tournament
MOST OUTSTANDING SCHOOL
Wesley College
Applecross Senior High School
St Hilda’s Anglican School for Girls
OUTSTANDING INCLUSION INITIATIVE
Serve Society – East Fremantle Tennis Club
Tennis 4 All – South Mandurah Tennis Club
Femme Friday – Loton Park Tennis Club
MOST OUTSTANDING 30+ TENNIS SENIOR
Paul Moss
CURRENT ELECTRICAL SERVICE TO TENNIS
Suzanne Kingston – Bayswater Tennis Club
Michelle Gethin – Merredin Tennis Club
Warren Davis – North Beach Tennis Club
PRO PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Talia Gibson
Matt Ebden
Tristian Schoolkate
John Peers
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