EMERGING Albury tennis player Rory Parnell has bounced back from last year’s disappointment by being selected in the NSW PSSA team.
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Parnell made the state line-up for the national championships in Year 4 but was forced to withdraw from last year’s trials at Tweed Heads due to injury.
He won 10 of his 12 rubbers playing for MacKillop at Newcastle last week.
MacKillop and state coach Phil Shanahan said Parnell had earned his spot in the seven-member boys side.
“Rory was exceptional,” Shanahan said.
“He had a great week and played some really good tennis.
“He lost to the Sydney North No.1 boy Sean Wang 7-5 after leading 5-3.
“It’s a really strong side we have picked for the Bruce Cup and probably as good as we have had.”
MacKillop finished runner-up in the boys and fourth in the girls out of the 13 regions.
The national championships will be held at Shepparton in October with Parnell likely to play at No.2 or 3 in the boys competition.
His prospects of doing well will be helped by playing on grass.
Shanahan has coached some outstanding players in Bruce Cup including Jordan Thompson and James Duckworth.
“It’s a privilege and honour to go away with the Bruce Cup side,” he said.
“I was at the French Open last year supporting the Australians and especially Jordan Thompson who we took away one year.
“After a match I went up and gave him a massive hug and he was just appreciative of those early years which helped him become a professional tennis player.
“Those early years are really important to them.”
