1 November 2023 | Tennis Victoria

The Regional Academy of Sport Inter Academy Challenge took place on 15 & 16 October at Bendigo Regional Tennis Centre. Over the weekend, 5 regional tennis academies came together for competitive matches in a singles and doubles team format to stake their claim for the title of strongest academy.

Players from Barwon Sports Academy, Bendigo Academy of Sport, Gippsland Academy of Sport, South West Academy of Sport and West Vic Academy of Sport attended, with 50 players competing over the weekend. All coaches and Chief Executive Officers from each academy were present to support their athletes and witness some high level tennis over the weekend.

Thank you to Jackson Varney, Barwon Academy Coach and State Grade / Premier League player for speaking to the players before Day 1 of play. He spoke about his journey as a regional junior player and how he navigated the pathway of tennis all the way to college tennis and overseas team tennis in Europe. He then talked through his own coaching pathway which now has him supporting regional athletes in the Barwon academy.

Format:

Players were grouped in tiers, playing singles and doubles matches while accumulating points for their academy.

Final Results:

1. Bendigo
2. Barwon
3. South West
4. West Vic
5. Gippsland

Sportsmanship Awards:

There were sportsmanship awards given out throughout the weekend for players that showed great attitude (on and off court), encouraged their team mates and also gave amazing effort. Academy coaches and Tennis Victoria staff allocated the following awards:

• Harry Allan – West Vic
• Tano-Li Quach – West Vic
• Malachi Hedt – Barwon
• Paige Hosford – Gippsland
• Candice Bramwell – Gippsland
• Oliver White – Barwon
• Zach Hind – Bendigo

Upcoming Trials for the 2024 program:

Each academy is conducting their registrations and trials from November 12, for the 2024 program. Trial locations, dates & times:

Gippsland – Sunday 12th November 12-3pm @ Traralgon Tennis Association

Barwon – Sunday 19th November 4.30-6pm @ St Stephens Tennis Club

Bendigo – Sunday 19th November 3-5pm @ Bendigo Regional Tennis Centre

West Vic – Sunday 19th November 10.30am- 12.30pm @ Ballarat Regional Tennis Centre 

South West – February 2024 TBC

For more information about the program and how it fits into the pathway of regional tennis please click here.