12 June 2012 | Tennis Victoria

As Tennis Victoria’s Championships Dinner on 25 June draws closer, we take a look at the finalists in each category; today, we look at the Junior Athlete of the Year – Male award.

This award, presented by Gordon Moffatt, recognises a male junior athlete who is ranked in the top three for their birth year in Victoria, who has represented Victoria or Australia, and who has competed in at least eight Australian Ranking point equivalent tournaments during the nomination period (1 May, 2011 to 30 April, 2012). The recipient must have an outstanding attitude on and off the court, showing appropriate behaviour at all times.

Daniel Guccione

Daniel has been ranked No.1 in Victoria and Australia for his 1996 birth year and has a wonderful attitude both on and off the tennis court. Daniel was a singles finalist and doubles winner at the Optus 16s National Claycourt Championships and, in April 2012, represented Australia as a member of the Junior Davis Cup team that was successful in winning the Asia/Oceania zonal qualifying event. Daniel is a positive role model for other aspiring juniors.

Jacob Grills

Jacob has achieved the No.1 ranking in Victoria and has been ranked in the top five nationally for his 1995 birth year. Jacob won the doubles title at the 2011 Optus 16s Australian Championships and was a member of the 2011 Victorian Pizzey Cup team. Jacob continues to transition into the open professional tennis ranks, winning a qualifying round at the ITF Futures event in Mildura. Jacob is renowned for his work ethic, sportsmanship and excellent attitude both on and off the court.

Marc Polmans

With a fantastic attitude and skill set behind him, Marc Polmans has already achieved great things in his tennis career. He has held the No.1 ranking in Victoria and Australia for his 1997 birth year and has represented Australia in the 14/u World Junior Teams event in May 2011. Marc won the Optus 14s Australian Championships in December 2011 and, in the same month, reached the round of 16 at the Victorian Grasscourt Championships. Marc has enormous amounts of respect for his fellow players and the rules of the game.

Tickets are still available for the dinner which will be a celebration of our local champions, Pat Cash’s Wimbledon triumph 25 years ago and Victorian tennis as a whole. You are invited to come along and attend this fantastic event, and members receive a discounted rate when booking a table of 10.

Affiliate/member table of 10 – $1300
Table of 10 – $1500
Individual – $150 each

Book your seat/table at this inaugural event now by downloading and submitting the Championships Dinner booking form.

For more information, please visit the Championships Dinner page on our website.