28 November 2011 | Tennis Queensland

Australia’s newest Grand Slam champion and World No.6, US Open winner Samantha Stosur, leads the field of finalists for the second annual Newcombe Medal, to be staged at Crown Palladium on Monday 5 December.

Stosur was the inaugural winner in 2010, the first time the tennis community gathered to recognise not only the player of the year with the Newcombe Medal, but the entire tennis community through the Australian Tennis Awards.

Joining Stosur in contention for the Newcombe Medal are Wimbledon quarterfinalist, rising Davis Cup star Bernard Tomic; Perth’s Matthew Ebden who broke through to reach the quarterfinals at the Shanghai Masters, and Jarmila Gajdosova who achieved a career-high ranking of 25 during 2011 after reaching the third round of Roland Garros and Wimbledon and shining in Fed Cup competition.

The Newcombe Medal, Australian Tennis Awards recognises service to tennis at all levels – club, coaches, volunteers, community, officials and players. The evening’s top prize, the Newcombe Medal, is awarded to the year’s most elite player and is named in honour of Australian tennis legend John Newcombe.

“The inaugural Newcombe Medal night last December surpassed my expectations,” Newcombe said.

“It was great to see Sam Stosur be the first recipient of the Medal, and what pleased me more than anything was the number of administrators and volunteers who were recognised from around the country.

“This year is going to be bigger and even better.  I can’t wait,” he added.

Sam Stosur, Australia’s top player and world No.11, is also looking forward to this year’s event.

“The Newcombe Medal, Australian Tennis Awards is a really good initiative for tennis,” Stosur said.
“To have a night where all the Australian tennis community can come together and celebrate the sport is very important and will only add to its growth in the future.

“Tennis is such an intrinsic part of our culture in Australia and it has a great history. Recognising those who are doing their best for the sport, now and in the past, will only develop this rich history further.

“I was extremely honoured to be the first winner of the Newcombe Medal in 2010 and I am looking forward to attending the event at Crown next weekr,” Stosur continued.

In 2011 the night will also feature a showcase of Australian entertainment including a headline performance by popular performer Guy Sebastian.

2011 Newcombe Medal, Australian Tennis Awards

Newcombe Medal
Finalists: Matthew Ebden (WA), Jarmila Gajdosova (Vic), Samantha Stosur (Qld), Bernard Tomic (Qld)

Coaching Excellence – High Performance
Finalists: Matthew Limpus (Qld), Anthony Richardson (Qld), David Taylor (NSW)

Coaching Excellence – Club
Finalists: Clint Fyfe (Qld), Peter Lumsden (Vic), Peter Owen (Vic)

Coaching Excellence – MLC Tennis Hot Shots
Finalists: Danielle Borle (Vic), Wesley Horskins (Vic), Helen Rice (SA)

Excellence in Officiating
Finalists: Donna Kelso (NSW), Tom Sweeney (Vic), James Tucker (Qld)

Female Junior Athlete of the Year
Finalists: Naiktha Bains (Qld), Ashleigh Barty (Qld) – Wimbledon Junior Champion

Male Junior Athlete of the Year
Finalists: Jason Kubler (Qld), Luke Saville (SA) – Wimbledon Junior Champion

Most Outstanding 35+ Senior
Finalists: Glenn Busby (Vic), Alan Hocking (Qld), Andrew Rae (Vic)

Most Outstanding Athlete with a Disability
Finalists: Keegan Oh-Chee (NSW), Ben Weekes (NSW), Kelly Wren (NSW)

Most Outstanding Tennis Club
Finalists: Geelong Lawn Tennis Club (Vic), Parkes Tennis Club (NSW), Sale Tennis Club (Vic)

Most Outstanding Tennis Community
Finalists: Barwon Region (Vic), Bendigo Tennis Association (Vic), Tennis Gove (NT)

Most Outstanding Tournament
Finalists: Cliffs Esperance Tennis International (WA), Love ‘N Deuce North Shore Open (NSW), McDonald’s Burnie International (Tas)

Most Outstanding School
Finalists: Griffith East Public School (NSW), Middle Years Tennis School at Box Hill Secondary College (Vic), Yarra Valley Grammar School (Vic)

Volunteer Achievement Award
Finalists: Colin Ackland (Qld),Tom Hancy (Vic), Wendy Saville (NSW)

Spirit of Tennis Award
Recipient selected by a panel appointed by Tennis Australia

Watch live streaming of the 2011 Newcombe Medal on Monday 5 December 2011 at http://newcombemedal.com.au/ and on YouTube.

Sam Stosur promo video – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k1TiwgV1qyw