29 September 2010 | Tennis Tasmania

Hobart’s Edward Bourchier has become the first Tasmanian to gain an Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) singles Ranking. The ITA is the governing body of the American College Tennis Competition which consists of 264 Division 1 teams and over 2000 players.

Bourchier, who is in his third year on a tennis scholarship at Pennsylvania State University, has a 15-7 win-loss record this season and is playing in the teams No.1 position.  Recent victories over the No.36 ranked Jason Jung and No.80 ranked Sebastian Gallego have seen Bourchier awarded an ITA ranking that now sits at 93.

Bourchier puts his recent success down to a number of years of hard work. “I think the hard work and training I’ve done in the past year is really starting to pay off which has been pleasing.” Bourchier said. “I definitely feel like I am playing some of the best tennis of my career. The team at Penn State needed someone to step up and fill the number one spot and I felt it was a great opportunity for me to do so.”

As well as his ITA ranking, Bourchier’s recent form was recognised this week not only by being awarded Big Ten Tennis Athlete of the Week, but also being selected in the Tennis Men’s All-Big Ten Tennis Team. Only five Penn. State players had previously made the All-Big Ten team but Bourchier’s recent results in both singles and doubles have earned him All-Conference honours.

During the American summer break Bourchier will return to Australia for some time off but also play the odd tournament. “I’m planning to play a couple of events in Darwin” said Bourchier, whose younger brother Harry recently claimed a National doubles title. “It’s great to see Harry having some success at National level, we’ll play doubles together in Darwin and hopefully I can provide some advice and help him improve.”