The State’s top juniors are preparing for an assault on the nation’s best at the Spring Nationals to be held in Sydney next week. The event, open to the nation’s 12 and 14 year old players, is one of four national level events which is held throughout the year culminating in the December showdown in Melbourne.
Tennis West sat down with National Head Coach Adam Carey to discuss the upcoming nationals.
TW: From looking at the draws it seems WA will be well-represented in both the 12 and 14 age groups. Are you expecting a lot of wins this week?
AC: We define ourselves not by wins and losses, but by our effort and always giving our very best. The players have trained hard and I’m very confident they will compete, and represent WA and their private coaches incredibly well.
TW: For some of the players it is their first nationals. What is the message the coaches have tried to impress in preparation for the event?
AC: At this age it is about continual growth. Making a nationals and travelling to East Coast to compete against the nation’s best is a huge opportunity for our player’s and its one they aim to make the most of. Tara Gilich, Narayan Judge and Ben Dachs are all competing in their first nationals so, it’s about getting to work and bringing the preparation and effort they have learnt in training from their coaches into competition.
TW: Do you see the travel as a disadvantage for the WA players who always have to go east for nationals?
AC: It is an important part of their tennis development. They get to learn the challenges of competing away from home. Our ability to offer duty of care gives the athletes the chance to experience training and coaching in a team environment, and this process is an integral part of the molding of an elite player. The reality is that if they are to progress in the sport, life on road is a real part of becoming an elite player.
TW: Why is it important for the coaches to make the journey?. They can’t coach during the matches right?
AC: Again it an important step in the player’s development. The private coaches have the ability to evaluate the player under the pressure and adversity of competition. We see competition at this age as the best way to develop the mental toughness and preparation needed to be great in the future.
We have a large number of coaches going over for the event and it reinforces the importance of coaches being present to view their players. Talent Development Coaches John Roberts (Brixton Street), Peter Schoolkate (Claremont), Brad Dyer (Greenwood) and John Thorpe (Dalkieth) are all travelling over with their players. Alongside Len Cannell from the State Program and Laura Bugg from Talent Development, we have a strong team of coaches to prepare and get the best out of our athletes.
TW: Who are some of the younger up-and-coming players in the hunt at this event?
AC: We are strongly represented in the 12s by, Tristan Schoolkate and Connor Enslin in the boys, and Monique Barry and Tsige Lacey in the girls. In the 14s, Lachlan Casey and Christian Harding are two that have an opportunity to prove themselves, as do Olivia Rimmer, Sara Stikic and Gurkawal Kaur Bajal.
A full list of players and the clubs they are representing are listed below:
Tara Gilich – Hensman Park TC, coach Marc Leuba
Ben Dachs – State Academy, private coach Joe McCarthy
Connor Enslin – Dalkeith TC, coach John Thorpe
Jessie Voitetich – Brixton Street TC, coach Tate Roberts
Monique Barry – Greenwood TC, coach Brad Dyer
Tsige Lacey – State Academy
Tristan Schoolkate – National Academy
Lachie Casey – State Academy
Christian Harding – State Academy
Olivia Rimmer – State Academy, private coach Joe McCarthy
Sara Sticik – State Academy
Gurkawal Kaur Bajal – State Academy
Latest
WA