29 April 2014 | Tennis Queensland

The 2014 Oakley State Inter Academy Team Challenge took centre stage at the Queensland Tennis Centre from the 26th – 28th April. Tennis Australia Project Talent has worked hard to cement this event as a must in twelve and under calendars by bringing together some of Queensland’s best academy programs and coaches to compete in a fun and competitive “team based” competition.

Sixteen teams in total were invited to compete in the event, which accounts for one of two State Talent Development Camps, delivered by Tennis Australia Project Talent each year. Event organisers were thrilled also with inclusion of the Maribyrnong Jets, from Victoria, and the ITF (Oceania Pacific) – Team Pasifika, featuring players from Noumea and Tahiti.

All Project Talent initiatives aim to cater to, inform and develop four key groups – CAPS – Coaches, Athletes, Parents and Staff. With this, the camp showcased not only some great on court action, but fantastic development sessions for athletes, coaches and parents alike. Guest speakers included Rob Barty, father of Ashleigh Barty, Dr Cliff Mallett, Associate Professor of Sports Psychology and Coaching in the School of Human Movement Studies at The University of Queensland, Martin Oosthuysen, ITF white badge referee, Queensland’s own Gary Stickler, Talent Development Coach Mentor and finally Brent Larkham, AIS/National Academy Queensland Head Coach. One of Victoria’s leading Talent Development coaches and Manager of the Marribyrnong Jets, Marc Sophoulis, also took time to present to our coaches.

On court, we saw; 16 teams, over 20 managers, 358 matches and 170 hours of tennis, reach an exciting climax, when the top four teams crossed pools for a place in the final (rain meant revised schedule). Semifinal one, saw TFP come up against Team Pasifika, with TFP going through to play the winner of the Marribyrnong Jets and Gold Coast United, which was the Jets.

At 1pm it was decided in a very tight final, that Marribyrnong would be the first Oakley State Inter Academy Team Challenge winner from inter-state, taking out third time finalists TFP. In closing, presentations included acknowledging finalists as well as rewarding positive behavior exhibited by individual players, coaches and parents throughout the weekend.

Congratulations to the following award winners:

• Parent Award: Momoko Sonton
• Coaching Excellence: Darran Wrighton (Team Pasifika)
• Ultimate Competitor: Isabella Bovasevic (Gold Coast United)
• Best Sportsmanship Male: Stirling McAvoy (FNQ Crocs)
• Best Sportsmanship Female: Lea Bolo (Team Pasifika)
• Best Team Player Male: Stefan Milenkovic (Maribyrnong Jets)
• Best Team Player Female: Mickayla Zahirovic (Northern Force)
• Best Risk Taker Male: Seth Macute (LifeTime Waranties)
• Best Risk Taker Female: Kristina Lane (TFP)

Congratulations again to Marribyrnong Jets, individual award winners and all other athletes on a wonderful weekend of tennis, and the spirit in which matches were fought.

If you are interested in Tennis Australia’s Project Talent initiatives or want more information on Coach Education or Player Pathways please contact one of our staff members on 07 3120 1918.