Champ encourages everyone to get involved
TENNIS THE game of tennis has taken Australian Men’s Wheelchair team member Keegan OhChee around the world and this week he has passed on a few secrets to the next generation of Far North players.
Oh-Chee, alongside 2016 Rio Paralympics gold medallist Heath Davidson and wheelchair tennis coach Andrew Ash, is in the region for Run and Roll FNQ Wheelchair Tennis.
The 24-year-old has been playing the game on wheels for a decade now and encouraged everyone to get involved in the growing sport.
“You do not need four people in wheelchairs at once on the court, you can have one person in a wheelchair and three able-bodied people,” OhChee said. “I have been able to travel the world and earn a living playing tennis.
“Run and Roll FNQ Wheelchair Tennis is an adaptation of tennis and helping to get everyone involved.”
Events are being run throughout the Far North this week for Disability Action Week, including at Mareeba Tennis Club yesterday and Cairns International Tennis Centre from 5.30pm today.
The high-profile wheelchair athletes will also visit St Andrews Catholic College today.
Run and Roll FNQ events are being held by Disability Action Week Champion Club Freshwater Tennis Club in collaboration with Tennis Queensland and Tennis Australia.
Alex Reith, Rick Hotchin and Rangers skipper Dimitri Toumazos are the only three players who have remained in the Premier Men’s team and they can scarcely believe a grand final awaits.
“It’s unreal to be honest,” Reith said.
“The last three or four years now we haven’t been doing so well, but new coach, new players and we’re into a grand final.
“You can’t ask for anything more.
“Everyone’s come in, from different countries.
“We’ve got French, German, Italian ... we just kind of connected, played well and that’s all it is.”
Reith said nothing would change this week for the squad as they relied on the fitness and strength that served them so well in their 3-2 preliminary final win over Innisfail.
“We just train hard, do the same thing,” he said.
“We’ve had two or three close games with Southside. I think we’re going to get them, so I’m looking forward to it.”
Interestingly, Marlin Coast has used a huge 34 players to reach the grand final.
Under coach Chris Collins, Southside have also used a large number of players – with 35 footballers featured in the Premier Men’s competition this year.
Perhaps they have both unleashed a secret to success.
The Premier Men’s grand final kicks off at Endeavour Park on Saturday at 7.30pm. all