The Tennis SA Performance Team was thrilled to host eight players and two coaches from Hyogo and Okayama Prefectures in Japan as part of the Japanese Friendship Tour last month.
The objective of the Japanese Friendship Tour is to open up a high performance multicultural avenue between Japan and South Australia.
Riku, Sho, Maki, Eito, Aoi, Kanata, Reina and Aiko, along with their coaches Yoshi and Akemi from the Japan Tennis Association, joined our Tennis SA squads to take part in regular training and match play opportunities.
Players also took part in the Littlehampton Junior Tour tournament, with Aoi winning the 12/u Boys Singles and Reina winning the 12/u Girls Singles. In the doubles, Aoi and Sho won the 12/u Boys, while Reina and Aiko won the 12/u Girls.
Off court, players enjoyed a team barbeque, visit to Cleland Wildlife Park, hiking at Mount Lofty, swimming at Henley Beach, mini golf at West Beach and a team Easter egg hunt with Tennis SA staff at Memorial Drive.
“We need experience in different culture, learn lifestyle in other countries, this is why this kind of activity is important,” said Yoshi Nakayama, Female Junior Head Coach Japan Tennis Association.
“On court, they need a focus on competitive tennis and experience from coaching in English.”
“This program has now opened the doors more globally. I am really happy that this regional team has this opportunity in another country,” Mr Nakayama continued.
The visit saw the players develop lifelong friendships and as word spreads we hope to have this as an ongoing reciprocal relationship between South Australia and Japan. Congratulations to our Tennis SA Performance Team who worked tirelessly to ensure the visit was a great success.
アデレードを訪問していただきありがとうございます (Thank you for visiting Adelaide!)
お会いしましょう (Hope to see you soon!)
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