As the 2023/24 Tennis West State League Season approaches, the anticipation for an exhilarating display of skill, grit, and sportsmanship is mounting among tennis enthusiasts across Western Australia. With a diverse lineup of seasoned champions and promising newcomers, this season is set to be a riveting showcase of top-tier tennis talent. Let’s take a closer look at the teams and players that are expected to set the courts ablaze this year.
Men’s Teams:
Cottesloe
2022/23 Finish: 1st
Captain: Will Hann
Last year’s triumphant champions, Cottesloe, are back to defend their title in the upcoming season. Despite the departure of Men’s State League MVP Max Weir and Matthew Burton, the team has strengthened its roster by regaining the seasoned talent of Scott Webster and adding Tom Hann who returns from the USA. With a legacy of success behind them, Cottesloe is gearing up to maintain their dominance on the court and leave a mark of excellence once again.
Peppermint Grove
2022/23 Finish: Did not compete
Captain: Sam Chapman
Making their debut in the State League this season, Peppermint Grove brings a breath of fresh air to the competition. Bolstering their lineup with international talent, this ambitious team is poised to make a splash and challenge the established order. Tennis enthusiasts are eagerly awaiting to witness the synergy of the new faces and their impact on the league’s dynamic.
Mt Lawley/Sorrento
2022/23 Finish: Mt. Lawley- 8th
Captain: Jerome Iaconi
A newly joined team led by former Alexander Park young gun Jerome Iaconi, Mt Lawley/Sorrento is determined to make a strong impression in the upcoming season. With a combination of experience in Brydan Klein and fresh energy of up-and-coming talent in Jake Dembo, they aim to carve their own path and establish a legacy of their own within the competitive framework of the State League. Home grown player Michael Faulkner returns to Mt Lawley/Sorrento from Alexander Park.
Blue Gum Park
2022/23 Finish: 5th
Captain: Cameron Fenner
Fulfilling the promise of a young and talented squad, Blue Gum Park, despite narrowly missing out on finals last season, Blue Gum Park is prepared to elevate their game and contend for a top spot. With their youthful vigor and determination, they are expected to provide formidable competition and keep the audience captivated with their spirited performances. The addition of Ethan Cook’s doubles partner to the team Aaron Addison will provide additional depth to this up-and-coming team.
Alexander Park
2022/23 Finish: 3rd
Captain: Ashwin Sharma
Under the leadership of the seasoned Captain Ashwin Sharma, Alexander Park enters the arena with a rich history and a legacy of competitiveness. With a blend of experience and emerging talent, they are set to demonstrate their prowess on the court and challenge their opponents with a strategic and skillful approach. Alexander Park added Austin Vos who has come over from Hensman Park but lost Michael Faulkner who has gone back to home club Sorrento.
UWA
2022/23 Finish: 4th
Captain: Luka Katsamakis
Playing on clay and making last year’s Finals Series, UWA are gearing up to make a definitive statement this season. With a unique playing style and a resilient spirit, they aim to capitalize on their strengths and deliver an impressive performance that showcases their tenacity and adaptability on the court. Tim Gray and young Chillian Hans Bustiman return to be a one two punch at the top of the playing order.
Women’s Teams
Peppermint Grove
2022/23 Finish: 1st
Captain: Caitlin Hindmarsh
Having secured the championship title last year for the first time in the club’s history, Peppermint Grove’s women’s team returns with the same powerful lineup, ready to defend their hard-earned title. With their formidable chemistry and unwavering determination lead by the experienced Caitlin Hindmarsh, they are set to maintain their stronghold and continue their reign as one of the most dominant teams in the Women’s State League. Players to watch are youngsters Jessie Culley, Tara Aleksic and Sara Nikolic who all have bright futures in tennis.
Alexander Park
2022/23 Finish: 2nd
Captain: Katy O’Shea
Last year’s runners-up, Alexander Park boasts a lineup brimming with experience and skill. With a focus on strategic play and consistent performances, they are determined to go the extra mile and claim the championship title that narrowly eluded them last season. Katy O’Shea continues as team captain along with experienced players Marisa Gianotti, Sheridan Currie and Madeline Watson. Up and coming youngster Peyton Duckett will be the one to watch as she continues her impressive form from last year. Expectations are high as they aim to challenge Peppermint Grove’s supremacy and carve their own path to victory.
Dalkeith
2022/23 Finish: 4th
Captain: Lauren Nikoloski
Led by Women’s State League MVP Lauren Nikoloski, Dalkeith is fueled by the determination to improve on their 4th place finish from the previous season. With Nikoloski’s leadership and the team’s collective drive, they are expected to bring an extra edge to their game and pose a formidable challenge to the top contenders in the league. The team added Hayley Burton from Hensman Park and Ruby Culley. Dalkeith will be looking for Gabriella Da Silva-Fick from Kooyong Tennis Club in Melbourne to play additional matches this season to take the team two steps further than last season.
Applecross
2022/23 Finish: 6th
Captain: Ruby Broadbent
Returning for their second year in the Women’s State League, the Applecross team is determined to make significant strides and improve upon their finish from the last season. With a renewed focus on growth and development, they aim to showcase their progress and resilience on the grass courts of Applecross, promising an engaging and competitive performance. The young players from Applecross led by Ruby Broadbent will look to make a name for themselves this season and make a Finals Series appearance.
Royal Kings Park
2022/23 Finish: Did not compete
Captain: Amelia Tatafu
Making a comeback in the Women’s State League, the Royal Kings Park team comprises a talented group of young players brimming with potential. With five players under the age of 18, they are geared up to make a strong impression and establish themselves as a force to be reckoned with in the competitive landscape of women’s tennis in the future. The team is led by Amelia Tatafu and includes four players who have crossed over from Greenwood in Saanvi Tak, Amy Findlay, Rhea Makesar and Justine Hayward-Janney.
Hensman Park
2022/23 Finish: 3rd
Captain: Anja Dokic
Having secured a commendable 3rd place finish last season, the Hensman Park team is back with a good mix of experience and youth, brimming with confidence and a thirst for victory. With their collective experience and strategic gameplay, they are determined to build upon their previous successes and contend for the championship title, promising some thrilling matchups and intense rivalries on the court. Players to watch out for are 2021/22 Women’s State League MVP Ella Nurkic and up and coming talent Alice Stevens.
As the 2023/24 Tennis West State League Season unfolds, fans can look forward to a series of gripping matches, fierce rivalries, and the embodiment of true sportsmanship. With a blend of established champions and ambitious newcomers, this season promises to be an exciting journey filled with unbridled passion and the relentless pursuit of excellence on the tennis court.
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