25 May 2016 | Tennis SA

By Jane Kuerschner, Murray Pioneer. Published 20 May 2016

More than 500 tennis enthusiasts travelled from far and wide to attend the 29th Tennis Seniors Teams Carnival last weekend. The three-day tournament kicked off on Saturday with 99 teams taking to courts in Berri, Renmark, Barmera and Loxton. The event is for competitors over the age of 35. The oldest competitor was 85.

Carnival co-organiser Kaye Tanner said the event was cut short on Monday when the heavens opened, but overall it ran smoothly. “It was a really great weekend,” she said. “It was just a matter of getting people to different courts.” Just nine of the 99 registered teams were made up of locals.

“We had 90 teams travel from elsewhere,” said Mrs Tanner. “The teams came mostly from Adelaide, and then we always get four or five teams from the Northern Areas. “We’re gradually getting more from interstate. We had competitors from NSW, the ACT, Queensland and Victoria. “We even had four people come from New Zealand.

“They competitors really enjoy it. They think it’s a great social event.” Mrs Tanner said the influx of visitors provided an economic boost to the region. “They would have brought some money into the Riverland that’s for sure,” she said. “Because it’s a three-day tournament a lot of the competitors stay for four or five nights.”

The Riverland was represented by 42 women across seven teams, along with two men’s teams. Local team The Raqueteers, made up of Georgia Tzanavaris, Karen Rubarth, Gioia Perre, Sarah Haslett and Tracey Jaensch, won the 35+ age group for the second year running.

The Riverettes, consisting of Kaye Tanner, Faye Brodie, Raylene Couzens, Ellen Traeger and Judy Woods, were equal winners in Section B in the 65+ age group. The River Belles were second in the 60+ age group, with team members Jessie Symens, Pamela Kerley, Jill Harris, Sue Fox and Carita Brown only losing one match.

The Mallee Bulls, made up of Shane Semmler, Adrian Fielke, Peter French, David Watson, David McDonald and Murray Fitzclarence, came second in 40+ age group, division one, section B. Funds raised will go towards the Berri-view Lawn Tennis Club. Renmark, Barmera and Loxton Tennis Clubs received hire fees from court use.

The Raqueteers won the 35-plus section at the Tennis Seniors Team Carnival on the weekend.
Pictured are Sarah Haslett (left), Karen Rubath, Gioia Perre, Georgia Tzanavaras, Tracey Jaensch.