By RUSSELL BENNETT
THE first ever Fountain Gate Tennis Club Hotshots Championships were held recently, with players ranging from four-years-of-age to 12 taking part for the honour of being crowned champion in either the red, orange, or green ball competitions.
In the initial round-robin phase, each player took part in a minimum of three 15-minute matches. Players were grouped according to age and ability with the top four players in the red, orange and green groups reaching the semi-final rounds.
Michayla Allen defeated Caleb Talbot in the first red semi-final, and Rayven Henderson defeated Luis Moreno in the other before going on to defeat Michayla in the final 4-2.
Harrison Foley outlasted Trevor Hudswell in the first green semi-final, while Jesse Morton defeated Jasnoor Daliwal in the other. He kept up his impressive form to beat Harrison 4-3 in the final. Sam Sires, meanwhile, proved a little too good for Tony He in the orange final.
Following the championships, Fountain Gate coach Pete Jedrys promoted the club’s programs with some hands-on activities at the neighbouring Westfield Shopping Centre – on Level 1 near the escalators up to the Village cinemas. From July 9 to 11 he estimates over 1000 youngsters spent time hitting tennis balls at the Hotshots stand during their school holidays.
“There are so many kids who don’t have an opportunity to play and this was about giving them a chance,” Pete said.
Pete (the owner of ‘Oracle Tennis’), the Fountain Gate Tennis Club and Westfield have entered into an agreement that will see more ANZ Hotshots programs at the shopping centre during each school holidays.
For any Fountain Gate tennis membership queries, contact club secretary Nicole Mizzi at nmizzi1971@gmail.com. For any coaching queries, email Pete on pjedrys.oracletennis@gmail.com.
