Tennis duo to shine on centre stage

PREPARATIONS are underway to accommodate more than 250 tennis players who will flock to Swan Hill for the 60th annual Inter-regional Country Championships in a financial coup for the region.

Among those preparing for the event are two young tennis up-and-comers, Bridie Gardner, 15, and Elise Morrison, 15, who are both looking to win their age championship for the Northern Mallee Region in front of a home crowd.

Both have experienced the Inter-regional Country Championships before, but the women want to make the 2016 event their coming of age events.

After picking up a racquet for the first time when she was two-years-old, young Bridie said she was stoked to be playing in her home town.

“I have played this tournament for three years, played the first at home in Swan Hill, and it was good, I didn’t expect there to be so many people who came down to watch it,” she said.

“We hadn’t really seen that before. I have grown up a bit since then and I hope I can win it this year or go near a final.

“My goals are to just have fun, make new friends and meet new people. I want to keep developing my game, get used to playing and putting me against some of the best will also be good.”

More than 11 country tennis teams will arrive in the Mallee before the on court showdown begins on Friday, January 8 at the Tennis Club.

Elise said she was a bit nervous with the amount of quality players coming to the event.

“It will be my first time playing this competition in Swan Hill … it is a bit daunting but it will be pretty good,” she told The Guardian.

“I have been preparing for it for a while, having a few hits, but my main focus will be the footwork and ground strokes.

“My family will come down and support me, they will be here, and that is exciting and nerve-wracking.

“I played in the event last year, it was really different but it is fun. I met some new people and it helps me improve lots and hopefully will take me far in tennis.”

The event will be hosted by the Swan Hill Lawn Tennis and Croquet club after being selected for the amount of quality grass courts the club has to offer.