Golden Grove (City/Hills) and Barmera (Rural) have been announced as South Australia’s Most Outstanding Tennis Clubs in 2022.
While professional athletes Thanasi Kokkinakis and Charlotte Kempenaers-Pocz were awarded South Australia’s most prestigious player awards, the Burr and Boyce Medals.
The awards among others were presented at the Tennis SA Awards Night held at the Adelaide Convention Centre in front of 330 attendees on Saturday night.
“The Tennis SA Awards Night was a wonderful celebration of the achievements of our players, coaches, clubs, communities, volunteers and officials over the past 12 months,” Tennis SA CEO Debbie Sterrey said.
“The past two years have been incredibly difficult for us all, but it is fantastic to see the way our tennis family has come together to offer opportunities for everyone to get involved in the sport.
“Our congratulations to all of the award winners and finalists, we are very proud of you all.”
Golden Grove Tennis Club prides itself on its welcoming and friendly atmosphere, ensuring that all players are valued, included and given the best opportunity to develop their game. Participation numbers continue to grow through coaching and the variety of programs on offer.
Golden Grove Tennis Club President Craig Mousley was excited to accept the award on behalf of the club.
“We are thrilled to have won the Most Outstanding Tennis Club award for the City and Hills,” Mousley said.
“It is great to recognise all of the clubs doing great work out there in the community.
“A key achievement for us has been building our new clubhouse. It’s the first clubhouse that we’ve had in our 100 year existence and our volunteers have worked tirelessly to utilise the venue, holding a variety of events for our members.
“We have focussed heavily on supporting our local community this year and it means a lot to be recognised for that work.”
For Barmera Tennis Club, this award is recognition for their dedicated volunteers who work tirelessly to ensure the club is able to host a variety of tournaments, competitions and events. Facility improvements have been a recent focus for the club to ensure long term sustainability.
“We are extremely proud to win this award, not just for the club, but also representing the Riverland,” Barmera Tennis Club President Justin Bannear said.
“We are a small club, of just over 100 members. We are really proud of our facilities, we are 100% volunteer driven and this is just nice recognition for the work that we put in.”
Reade Park Lawn and Warradale Park Tennis Clubs were contenders for the City/Hills accolade, whilst Cudlee Creek Tennis Club was a finalist in the rural category.
Ron Russo was inducted into the South Australian Legends Club, with Peter Smith and Kent Thiele inducted as Tennis SA Life Members.
Kempenaers-Pocz also took home the Gwen Thiele Memorial Trophy for most outstanding 18-and-under female, while Edward Winter won the Don Turnbull Memorial Trophy for most outstanding 18-and-under male.
The City of Playford won the award for Most Outstanding Council or Government Department, while 14-year-old Ethan Cook was announced as the Most Outstanding Player with a Disability.
Domenic Marafiote and Sam Wall were dual winners of the Coaching Excellence – Development award, while David Grainger took home the Coaching Excellence – Club award. Torrens Valley Christian School was named the Most Outstanding School.
The full list of award winners is as follows:
South Australian Legends Club
Ron Russo
Tennis SA Life Members
Peter Smith and Kent Thiele
Burr Medal (best and fairest male tennis player)
Thanasi Kokkinakis
Accepted on behalf of Thanasi by Trevor and Voula Kokkinakis
Boyce Medal (best and fairest female tennis player)
Charlotte Kempenaers-Pocz
Don Turnbull Memorial Trophy (best male 18-and-under tennis player)
Edward Winter
Not in attendance
Gwen Thiele Memorial Trophy (best female 18-and-under tennis player)
Charlotte Kempenaers-Pocz
Most Outstanding Club-based Competition
Greenacres Tennis Club
Most Outstanding Council or Government Department
City of Playford
Most Outstanding Inclusion Program
South Australian Blind and Low Vision Tennis Program
Most Outstanding School
Torrens Valley Christian School
Excellence in Officiating
Robyn Tucker
Not in attendance
Most Outstanding Athlete with a Disability
Ethan Cook
Most Outstanding 30+ Tennis Senior
Ian Delbridge
Coaching Excellence – Rural
John Pick
Coaching Excellence – Club
David Grainger
Not in attendance
Coaching Excellence – Talent Development
Domenic Marafiote
Sam Wall
Not in attendance
Volunteer Achievement Award – Rural
Julie Polkinghorne
Not in attendance
Volunteer Achievement Award – City/Hills
Brandon Oster
Most Outstanding Tennis Club – Rural
Barmera Tennis Club
Most Outstanding Tennis Club – City/Hills
Golden Grove Tennis Club
State League Premiers
Men
Tea Tree Gully Tennis Club
Women
Glenlea Tennis Club
State League Players of the Year
Men
Ashwin Vijayaragavan (Tea Tree Gully Tennis Club)
Women
Cydney Crumbie (Seacliff Tennis Club)
State League Fair Play Awards
Men
Andrew Tavella (Trinity Gardens Tennis Club)
Women
Cydney Crumbie (Seacliff Tennis Club)
Metro League Premiers
Men
Division 1: Hallett Cove Beach Tennis Club
Division 2: Glenlea Tennis Club
Division 3: Reade Park Lawn Tennis Club
Division 4: Colonel Light West Tennis Club
Women
Division 1: Memorial Drive Tennis Club
Division 2: Seaside Tennis Club (Blue)
Metro League Strike Rate Awards
Men
Division 1: Nick Watts (Warradale Park Tennis Club)
Division 2: Bradley Mousley (Golden Grove Tennis Club)
Division 3: Tom Downey (Seacliff Tennis Club)
Division 4: Kyle Gaweda (Warradale Park Tennis Club)
Women
Division 1: Melissa Beadman (Memorial Drive Tennis Club)
Division 2: Noeleen Oatway (Seaside Tennis Club)
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