16 November 2017 | Tennis Victoria

The Australian Tennis Award finalists have officially been announced by Tennis Australia, with Victorians featuring prominently.

Victorians Daria Gavrilova and John Peers join, Ashleigh Barty, Nick Kyrgios and Jordan Thompson as nominees for the coveted Newcombe Medal – awarded to Australia’s most outstanding elite tennis player and ambassador for the sport.

Both Gavrilova and Peers have had stellar years, with Gavrilova ending Sam Stosur’s record-breaking streak as Australia’s number one female player in June and Peers enjoying grand slam success at the Australian Open.

“I’m really happy to be nominated for the second-straight year and I can’t wait to celebrate tennis at the Newcombe Medal, it is always a great night,” Daria Gavrilova said.

“It’s an honour to again be nominated for the Newcombe Medal,” John Peers said from London, where he’s competing in the ATP World Tour Finals.

The Newcombe Medal will be presented alongside 14 other categories as part of the Australian Tennis Awards.

Tennis Australia CEO Craig Tiley believes the event is celebrating an inspiring and positive 12 months of tennis.

“We look forward to honouring the contribution of our tennis stars on and off the court at the Australian Tennis Awards,” Tiley said.

“We recognise the exceptional achievements of our athletes but also celebrate the influence our coaches, clubs, schools, volunteers and communities have had on the game across Australia during the past 12 months.”

Of the 14 categories, Victorians feature in 11 of them, which is a remarkable achievement from many of the state’s award winners.

2017 Newcombe Medal finalists:

Coaching Excellence High Performance
Finalists: Nicole Kriz (NSW), Anthony Richardson (Qld), Des Tyson (NSW), Craig Tyzzer (Vic)

Coaching Excellence Club
Finalists: Frank Calabria (Canberra, ACT), Rufus Keown (Malvern, Vic), Helen Rice (Belair, SA)

Coaching Excellence Talent Development
Finalists: Luke Bourgeois (Homebush, NSW), Graeme Brimblecombe (Graceville East, Qld), Sam Wall (Aberfoyle Park, SA)

Female Junior Athlete of the Year
Finalists: Destanee Aiava (Berwick, Vic), Jaimee Fourlis (Preston, Vic), Michaela Haet (Longueville, NSW) 

Male Junior Athlete of the Year
Finalists: Alex De Minaur (Sydney, NSW), Blake Ellis (Bellbowrie, Qld), Alexei Popyrin (Pymble, NSW)

Most Outstanding Athlete with a Disability
Finalists: Heath Davidson (Rosebud, Vic), Archie Graham (Ipswich, Qld), Ben Weekes (Strathfield, NSW)

Volunteer Achievement Award
Finalists: James Edwards (Perth, WA), Shirley Peake (Fawkner, Vic), Charles Webb (Darwin, NT) 

Most Outstanding 35+ Tennis Senior
Finalists: Adrienne Avis (Avalon Beach, NSW), Ros Balodis (Canberra, ACT), Glenn Busby (Eltham, Vic)

Excellence in Officiating
Finalists: Phillip Goodman (Mill Park, Vic), Glenn Toland (Engadine NSW), Emma Walter (Swinger Hill, ACT) 

Most Outstanding Club
Finalists: Boroondara Tennis Centre (Vic), City Community Tennis (NSW), Redland Bay Tennis Club (Qld) 

Most Outstanding Australian Ranking Tournament
Finalists: 2017 Federation Cup Foundation Bronze Women’s AMT and Girls’ JT (SA), 2017 Glenorchy Open (Tas), Melbourne Wheelchair Tennis Open 2017 (Vic) 

Most Outstanding Professional Tournament
Finalists: ACT Clay Court International 2017 (ACT), Hutchinson Builders Toowoomba International 2016 (Qld), Mildura Grand Tennis International 2017 (Vic) 

Most Outstanding School
Finalists: Brisbane Boys’ College (Toowong, Qld), Giralang Primary School (Giralang, ACT), Riverton Primary School (Riverton, WA)

The Newcombe Medal will take place on Monday 27 November at Crown Palladium, Melbourne.