28 February 2022 | Tennis West

With Term 1 in full swing, the SunSmart Schools Tennis Classic – the largest participation tennis tournament in Western Australia – kicked off last week, with over 170 students hitting the court.

The first of 14 team events took place at Beverley Tennis Club, Hyden Tennis Club and Bunbury Tennis Club and saw some of the state’s best young players showcase their skills on court. Players ranged from Years 3–12 from 13 different schools and competed in three major events: the Slazenger Cup (incorporating the Mursell Shield) and the Herbert Edwards Cup for secondary students and the Academy Plate for students in Years 1–7.

Running since 1935, the month-long SunSmart Schools Tennis Classic series facilitated by School Sport WA and Tennis West sees metro and regional primary and secondary school students compete in local play-off teams-based events with the regional competitions held across the Great Southern, Upper Great Southern, Central Districts, Eastern Districts and South West zones.

Tennis continues to be the number one preferred sport in schools with the SunSmart Schools Tennis Classic teams event a key step in the pathway to lifelong participation in the sport.

Tennis West’s Schools and Pathways Coordinator Radu Vaidean said the SunSmart Schools Tennis Classic allows young players to experience the nature of competitive tennis, in a fun and supportive environment.

“The SunSmart School Tennis Classic is a fantastic event that brings students from all around the state together to compete and represent their schools,” Radu said.

“The opportunity to compete in an environment where they can showcase their full athletic potential with the chance to improve and play for the title of Schools Classic Champions is incredibly beneficial in developing students’ passion for tennis and sport in general.”

Teams play in Round Robin Pool matches and the winner of each pool is entered into an elimination finals draw with the finals taking place at the end of March.

The SunSmart Schools Tennis Classic Academy Plate Country Final, which was first awarded in 1963, is made possible through the ongoing generosity and support of Healthway and the D’Arcy Slater Foundation.

Tennis Development Officer – Regional South Scott Culpin said the capacity of the event to be state-wide created excitement and energy in regional WA and engaged a wide range of students.

“It was fantastic seeing so many students loving their first taste of competitive tennis and we hope these events will drive even greater transition from schools to tennis clubs in the South West region,” Scott said.

To learn more about SunSmart Schools Tennis Classic, click here.