13 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 – Female award.

This award, presented by Gordon Moffatt, recognises a female 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.

 Eliza Long

Eliza Long has been ranked in the top three in Victoria for the 1995 birth year and has achieved fantastic results in many Australian Ranking points tournaments. In December 2011, Eliza won the Optus 16s Australian Singles Championship as well as the AMT Platinum event held at Waverley. Eliza represented Victoria at the 2011 Pizzey Cup and commits herself to everything she does, as demonstrated by her long travel times to training and competitions as she strives to grow. She is very enthusiastic about her sport and assists at her local club when possible.

Jaimee Fourlis

Jaimee Fourlis has been ranked in the top three in Victoria and Australia for her 1999 birth year, and has competed in many tournaments nationally and overseas. Jaimee won the singles and doubles at the Optus 12s National Grasscourt Championships in February 2012 and was a singles finalist and doubles winner at the Optus 12s Claycourt Championships in April 2012. She led Victoria at the Optus 12s Australian Teams Championships event in December 2011 and is well liked by her peers, coaches and officials.

Zoe Hives

Zoe Hives is a determined, competitive and skilled player who is ranked in the top three in Victoria for her birth year. In September 2011, Zoe won her first national singles title at the Optus 14s Spring Nationals and was awarded Tennis Victoria’s 2011 Grade 1 Pennant Player of the Year. In January 2012, Zoe qualified for the Australian Open Junior Girls singles, and in April won her first ITF Junior Title in Queensland. Following this success, Zoe was selected to represent Australia, as a member of the Junior Fed Cup team.

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.