THE annual John Fitzgerald Cup is providing Australia’s next generation of potential tennis stars with a pathway from the bush to the big time.
The teams event, held
this year in Swan Hill, features the best under 13s boys players from country Victoria.
On offer is the chance to represent the state at the Australian Made Foundation Cup in the lead-up to the Australian Open.
Held on Sunday and Monday, 10 teams of four took to the courts at Swan Hill to play singles and doubles.
Defending champions Central Gippsland won the tournament for the fourth consecutive time.
Local team Northern Mallee was represented by Lachlan Hewitt, Daniel Hughes and Sunny Handy from Swan Hill and Xavier Kendall from Mildura.
Tennis Victoria’s Nick Hinneberg said the event provided players the opportunity to progress to a higher level of competition.
“Cricket and football are so well connected with their pathways,” he said.
“Events like these offer players a great opportunity to compete as a team and it puts them in front of state selectors, giving them a chance to play on a national stage.”
Hinneberg said the event also espoused the values former Australian grand slam doubles champion John Fitzgerald would be proud of.
“It’s all about fair play and teamwork — something John Fitzgerald knows about being a doubles specialist,” he said.
SHLTC president Hayley Siddons said the club was proud to host the event, with the girls’ equivalent coming up next month in Warrnambool.
“It’s been fantastic from the club’s perspective. We’ve been able to put all the kids on at once and that’s a real plus,” she said.
“There are not too many clubs around with this many lawn courts of this quality. People have been amazed by the facilities we have here,” she said.
