21 February 2011 | Tennis West

The WA Foundation Cup teams travelled to Sydney and competed in the Interstate Challenge from 10th – 14th January 2011.

The Interstate Event is organised by the Fed Cup Foundation. The Foundation’s main aim is to assist and nurture talented young athletes from rural and regional Australia who have the potential to one day represent their country in Fed Cup or Davis Cup.

The Boys’ Team comprised of Josh Bowen (Midwest), Matthew Taylor (Moore Districts), Michael Offerman (Lower Great Southern) and Thomas Vellios (South West) and Manager Paul Oldifeld. The Girls’ Team comprised of Sally Partington (Lower Great Southern), Emily Hannell (South West), Phoebe Vlahov (Midwest) and Samara Williams (Lower Great Southern), and Manager Brooke Koenig.

The athletes competed strongly throughout the three days of play, eventually going down to Victoria and New South Wales, and winning against South Australia. Both WA teams finished in 3rd place, with NSW taking out first place against a gallant Victorian team.

Josh Bowen, from the Midwest Zone, was awarded the John Fitzgerald Medal. The John Fitzgerald medal is for the most outstanding boy of the tournament based on performance, sportsmanship and general attitude on and off the court. This was a fantastic achievement for Josh, Congratulations!