FOR the love of tennis the Albury grasscourts have been abuzz with some of the brightest young stars from across the country.
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Not even Monday’s torrential downpours could dampen their spirits and enthusiasm as some of the top-ranked girls and boys battled it out as part of the annual National School Teams Challenge.
Among those participating were first time competitors Cecil Hills High School from Sydney, winners of the NSW State Schools Championships.
“We don’t have a tennis program, we don’t have a sports program,” teacher Belinda Vidot said.
“These girls are here on their own merit — they’re all awesome.”
Vidot said the girls have had a heavy schedule with study, with year 12 and HSC.
“The last three months have been school and study,” she said.
“So unfortunately tennis has been put on the back-burner.”
But when you love the game, there’s little to stop you.
On the team is 15-year-old Alexandra Bozovic, a nationals champion and ranked 70 in Australia.
“I just love tennis,” the talented youngster said.
“I just can’t stop — I get bored when I don’t play.”
The girls have taken it to their competitors, many of whom come from far stronger traditions of school sports programs.
“The girls are going really well,” Vidot said.
“We knew we could be competitive — but it’s exciting we can come to an all-schools tournament and match our opponents who have extensive sports programs and have the kind of funding that we don’t.
“It shows these girls have the skill to match anyone and that’s quite exciting.”
School Sport Australia, national tennis secretary John Ferguson said the boys had their standouts too, with Jack Jade from Brisbane Boys College offered a scholarship to the University of Southern California.
“The standard and particularly the standard of the girls who are here has been exceptional,” he said.
“The four semi-finalists are worthy of anything in the Australian Open Junior girls at the least.
“And on the four courts going in front of the clubhouse here there has to be some of the best ladies tennis we’ve seen in Albury for a long time.”
Winners of yesterday’s semi-finals will play off for first and second place, while the losers will play off for second and third today from 8.30am.
