Narrabri’s Dangar Park Tennis Centre hosted North West Tennis’ Regional Matchplay Series 2023 Champion of Champions event on Sunday as 62 youngsters lined up to compete for the prestigious trophies on offer in their respective divisions.
Every player who competed on the day must have participated in at least four of the 10 qualifying rounds held between February and August, and been in the top eight point-scoring players in their respective age group.
Those players also qualified for the Northern Foundation Champion of Champions event to be contested in Inverell in October, which will see the North West players travel as a team to line up against the combined Lower North Coast and Upper North Coast team.
Seven of those players included Narrabri Tennis’ Callum Wales, Jack and Sophie Hartnett, Charlie Butler, Charlotte Murphy, Ava Garbutt and Alistair Dowdell.
According to their coach Shane Murphy, they all excelled on Sunday and did themselves and their club proud.
“It’s always awesome to see our local talent putting in that little bit extra by going away and playing the tournaments in the series and getting the results,” Murphy said.
“It’s difficult to qualify for this event because there are just so many kids around the region playing tennis.
“There are a few other Narrabri kids that just missed out, and it gives them something to strive for next year.
“To get seven in the Champion of Champions is an outstanding result because it shows off some of the hard work that these players are putting in on the court.
“We had some sensational results too, with a lot of learning happening as well. It’s great to see them stringing together what we’ve been working on technically and tactically”
Callum was crowned champion of the 16-years boys, and his clubmates Alistair Dowdell and Jack Harnett placed second and third, respectively, in that division.
Ava was the runner-up in the 10-years girls, Charlotte placed third in the 10-years girls, Sophie finished fourth in the 14-years girls and Charlie finished seventh in 14-years boys.
Narrabri Tennis’ head coach Shane Murphy was also the Champion of Champions tournament director on Sunday and kept the event running smoothly as he always does. He was full of praise for everyone who helped make the event a success.
“There were 62 players in attendance because it is not open to anyone; it’s invite-only,” Murphy said.
“It’s top-of-the-line stuff this event, and it was a good day.
“A big thanks goes to the NDTA committee who helped set up the clay courts on Saturday and manned the barbecue and canteen on the day and reworked the courts as well. They do all that important stuff that allows my on-court stuff to work.”
North West Tennis commended Narrabri District Tennis Association and Murphy for running a successful event and congratulated the junior players who both qualified for and competed at the event.
“Well done and thank you to all the players who have competed throughout the season and the parents for transporting them and supporting tennis as a sport for their child,” a North West Tennis statement said.
“The North West has the highest player numbers throughout NSW, and we look forward to continuing this in 2024.
“Congratulations to our Champion of Champions and runners-up.”
A list of champions and runners-up in each age group are as follows:
8-years boys:
Champion – Jakob Schneebeli, and runner-up – Taylor Cattle.
8-years girls:
Champion – Millie Lyle, and runner-up – Belle Nichols.
10-years boys:
Champion – Harry Tudgey, and runner-up – Lachlan Finnerty.
10-years girls:
Champion – Olivia O’Neill, and runner-up – Isabelle Scanlon.
12-years boys:
Champion – Myles Manning, and runner-up – Oliver Riley.
12-years girls:
Champion – Molly Murphy, and runner-up – Macy Graham.
14-years boys:
Champion – Archie McCormack, and runner-up – Darcy Bissell.
14-years girls:
Champion – Trista Dorrian, and runner-up – Sophie Nielsen.
16-years boys:
Champion – Callum Wales, and runner-up – Alistair Dowdell.
16-years girls:
Champion – Sophie Bailey, and runner-up – Ava Garbutt.
