The tournament encourages fun grassroots participation and promotes a healthy lifestyle among children. It gives year three and four students at Public, Catholic and Independent schools a pathway for success and provides opportunities to give them exposure to the sport.
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Parkes Public and Holy Family won through to the State Finals after a Regional Day in Parkes in September. Each match involved doubles and mixed doubles games in which points were accumulated over a time period using red balls on a modified court which involves calculated decision making and plenty of strategy.
Up to six girls and six boys could play in each team. Parkes Public included Flynn Thompson, Ewan Dean-Moody, Tyson Lennox, Joel MacGregor, Samuel Quince, Tia Dunn, Faith Clarke, Liliani Latu, Lucy Hall and Ella McColl.
Holy Family were represented by Mitchell Arndell, Jake Dunn, Henry Rice, Bill Mahon, Hayden Arndell, Lucy Chapman, Lily Collins, Meg Rice and Mhairi Wyllie.
Parkes Public had to play Young, Kenthurst(last years winners), Tamworth and Holy Family ACT while Holy Family played South Wagga, Birchgrove, Pacific Hills Christian and Kings Langley.
Holy Family finished third in their pool which was a superb effort as they only had four practise sessions as a team after qualifying for the Finals. Parkes Public meanwhile had close to 80 students try out for their team and have been in training three times a week for most of term three and four.
This commitment by Mrs Dolbel and the students was evident and should be applauded as their results justified time spent practising their modified skills. Parkes Public won their pool and advanced to the semi finals where they defeated South Wagga five matches to three matches and then played the final against St Raphaels Cowra who possessed some well drilled players.
They proved too consistent for the Parkes side and won five matches to three. A fabulous effort from the Parkes Public school players and a wonderful experience for all involved including parents.
It is hoped next years Regional Day on September 21st will be bigger and better and encourage more schools to participate with the wonderful opportunity to experience the State Finals on offer.
Junior Competition: Round 6 to be played today with the final round scheduled for November 21. The list for the BBQ and Presentations will be on the canteen bench so if you would like to attend please add your name to the list for catering.
State Finals: This Friday a group of Parkes juniors who have worked hard during the year to qualify for the State Finals will travel to Penrith to start their campaigns from 3pm. Those heading to the Finals include Hannah and Phoebe Potts and Ben Evans in the 16s, Abbey Kennedy, Maddy McCormick and Holly McColl in the 14s, Ellen Dolbel and Molly Kennedy in the 12s. All 96 players will play one round on Friday afternoon then the boys will play out their events on Saturday while the girls will be involved in a Talent ID Training Day with the Tennis Australia National Academy.
