Juniors primed for Pat Cash Cup

Wimmera tennis players are gearing up to represent their region at the Pat Cash Cup – a statewide junior tennis tournament this year hosted at Horsham Lawn tennis courts.

The event is a two-day pool roundrobin tournament for teams of four in 12-and-under, 14-and-under, 16-andunder and 18-and-under age groups.

The event, on Saturday and Sunday, is open to Tennis Victoria metropolitan associations and country regions across Victoria.

In recent years the tournament has been hosted at Warrnambool, Yarrawonga and Wodonga.

Wimmera Regional Tennis representative players, August Koch, 15, and Ella Thompson, 15, are excited to play in the tournament on their home courts.

“We play open in juniors and A Special in seniors for Horsham Lawn,” Thompson said. “I’ve played in the Pat Cash Cup before, but it’s very exciting to be playing at Horsham and even more so at my home club.

“It’s like playing at regionals – there will be tough competition and it will take hard work to win.”

Koch said it was his first time on the Wimmera representative team.

“I’m looking forward to playing some high-level players and gaining some experience at this level,” he said.

Wimmera Regional Tennis events co-ordinator Sandra Casey said there was capacity for 16 teams in the tournament.

“We’re expecting to see about 250 players for the weekend competition,” she said.

“It’s a big event and strong competition, so our Wimmera team will be challenged.

“I’m sure it will be a very successful event and a big shout out to Horsham Lawn for hosting it.

“It is great for exposure to the town and our local clubs.”

Wimmera representative players are: 12-and-under – Frazer Shurdington, Archer Reading, Hannah Heard and Lydi Boyd; 14-and-under – Harry Allan, Eli Bailey, Adele Joseph and Emma Streeter; 16-and-under – Aiden Richardson, August Koch, Ella Thompson and Tara Mcintrye; 18-and-under – Logan Casey, Jordan Friberg, Tahlia Thompson and Gemma Walker.