30 September 2010 | Tennis Tasmania

The second week of September saw two new Pardey Shield Champions. The Pardey Shield represents the Tasmanian School Boys and Girls Championships and has been played since 1918. Previous Girls Champions include the likes of Australian and French Open singles finalist and five time Grand Slam doubles champion Helen Gourlay. Previous winners in the Men’s competition include former tennis professionals Simon Youl, Matthew Porter, Andrew Painter, David Drysdale, David Tunbridge and also current Tasmanian Cricket Captain and Australian Representative George Bailey, who is a three time champion.

This year’s boys champion is the brother of another three time champion, Harry Bourchier from the Friends School.  Harry’s Brother, Edward, won three straight Pardey Shields from 2004 to 2006 and is now ranked in the top 100 in America’s College Tennis Program.  Harry easily won his way to the semi final but had to work hard in a tight two set victory over Launceston’s Jono Chapman. This set up a final clash against Elliot Johnstone, Harry won comfortably 6-0 6-1. At just 14 this puts Harry in position to try and win 4 Pardey Shields something that has never been done in the Men’s side of the Tournament.

St. Mary’s College’s Janaya Smith also took home her first Pardey Shield last week. Competing at the Launceston Indoor Sports Arena, Smith cruised through 3 rounds before defeating Launceston’s Brittney Macrostie in the Final, 6-1 6-4. Also only 14 years of age, Janaya also has a chance to win four straight Shields, which has only been done once before.