28 November 2017 | Tennis West

President of the Onslow Park Tennis Club, James Edwards was last night awarded the Volunteer Achievement Award at the prestigious Newcombe Medal, Australia Tennis Awards, held at Crown Palladium in Melbourne.

 

Edwards was one of three national finalists for this award which honours the volunteers within tennis who foster relationships within and between their club and the community, and recognises the contribution they make to the sport, specifically in the area of delivering more active players.

 

Edwards was presented with his trophy by former world number 1, Evonne Goolagong and 2017 Newcombe Medal winner, Ashleigh Barty in front of a packed crowd of over 500 members of the tennis fraternity.

 

Edwards has held the position of Club President for the last 13 years, and under his leadership the Onslow Park Tennis Club has been transformed into a thriving club, with connections throughout the Shenton Park and Subiaco community.

 

Edwards’ vision has reinvigorated Onslow Park from an all-grasscourt club, breaking even, with less than 100 members, into a 4 hardcourt, 7 grasscourt club with thriving juniors, pennants, adult memberships and social memberships. Onslow Park now has 240 members and is looking to convert 2 underutilised grass courts into flood-lit hard courts to enable Onslow Park to grow further.

 

The club’s nomination of Edwards was not only based on the transformation the club has experienced, but also on the countless hours he invests in club activities, with no club task considered too large or trivial for Edwards to fit it into his otherwise busy professional life. This includes coming down to the club on his weekends to fix dilapidated pergolas, attending junior awards ceremonies to present trophies, and welcoming new international members to his home to enjoy some Australian hospitality.

 

Humble in his accolade, Edwards is delighted to be recognised, but also credits the work of his committee.

 

“This award is not only a reflection of my efforts, but the commitment and support of the committee members and many dedicated volunteers” Mr Edwards said.

 

Edwards was one of two finalists flying the flag for WA at the Newcombe Medal, with Riverton Primary School also a finalist, and eventual winner in the Most Outstanding School category.

 

Tennis West CEO, Michael Roberts is proud of the achievements of the WA finalists.

 

“Volunteers really are the backbone of our sport, and tennis is extremely fortunate to have volunteers of the ilk of James Edwards within our community”.

 

“It is fantastic to see James’ hard work, passion and dedication recognised at a national level, he is truly deserving of the honour bestowed to him” Mr Roberts said.

 

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The Newcombe Medal, Australian Tennis Awards recognises players, coaches, clubs, communities, volunteers and officials for their service to the sport. The awards ceremony has been held annually since 2010.

 

The Newcombe Medal is the premier award presented on the night, and is awarded annually to Australia’s most outstanding elite tennis player and ambassador for the sport. Nominees for the award are selected by an esteemed panel of Australian champions and highly respected individuals in the tennis community. The award is named in honour of the achievements of Australian tennis legend John Newcombe.

 

Ashleigh Barty claimed the Newcombe Medal after edging out fellow nominees Nick Kyrgios, Daria Gavrilova (Vic), John Peers (Vic) and Jordan Thompson (NSW).