Left to right (back): Hamish Burt, Jed Newitt, Hamish Fox, Ellie Verran, Lisa McMeikan, Matt Fox (front): James Wilkins, James Bristow, Hayden Horscroft.

A group of juniors from Te Puke Tennis Club are hoping to realise an amazing opportunity to train at the Pat Cash International Tennis Academy in Australia.

A squad of nine young players have been selected for this exciting opportunity. The club’s ambition is to cater for every level of junior player the best it can and this training trip is a way for those players with promise and the right attitude to excel.

The players range in age from 10 to 15 years old and were selected by coach Heath Ingham based on age group performance, ability, potential and most importantly, attitude. The squad will train for a week at the academy, playing alongside some of Australasia’s best juniors.

The squad will travel with Heath and junior manager Louise Fox, who are both excited with what the players will get out of the academy. They say the biggest thing is the massive impact the experience will have on the players’ mentality as opportunities like this aren’t readily available in NZ.

Each player has been out fundraising to cover their own costs of the trip. They have sold raffles and glowsticks, worked at food stalls and put in their own savings. They will also all work at an Art Auction with acclaimed artist Kate Jones Madill at the end of June to try and help them along towards this great opportunity. The trip is to go ahead in September.

 For more information: 
Heath Ingham
heath@hitcoaching.co.nz