Sisters inspired by tennis legend
“I started playing three years ago and I love the fitness and being around my friends.”
The sisters, who train seven days a week at Edmonton Tennis Club under the watchful eye of coach Guy Thomas, are hoping for an invite to the Evonne Goolagong Cawley Foundation’s (EGF) Queensland training camp held in October.
“Giselle is on the court from around 5.30am,” proud mum Jacinta says.
“Sophia starts a little later, then I race them off to school before they train again in the afternoon.”
Jacinta says GoolagongCawley’s incredible journey from country NSW to 14-time Grand Slam winner has inspired her daughters.
“The things Evonne tells them are incredible. She’s definitely someone to look up to,” she says.
“The girls love her. What she’s accomplished is amazing and I love that my girls have an indigenous female athlete to look up to.
“It’s pretty special that Sophia and Giselle can talk to her in person.”
EGF program coordinator Anzac Leidig says the foundation’s aim is to develop strong leaders.
“We had six or seven players that we have already identified attend our event this week in Cairns and they’ll be up for state selection (to our camp),” he says.
“We want to encourage young kids to pick up a racquet but also be good role models within their community. Evonne talks to them a little bit about that as well as the value of healthy eating.
“With Giselle, she’s a really confident young girl who’s shown she has some ability.”
The Kawanes’ next junior tournament is the Innisfail Open in July.