Darran Wrighton writes that “the 2014 Oakley State Inter Academy Team Challenge took centre stage at the Queensland Tennis Centre from the 26th \u2013 28th April. Tennis Australia Project Talent has worked hard to cement this event as a must in twelve and under calendars by bringing together some of Queensland\u2019s best academy programs and coaches to compete in a fun and competitive \u201cteam based\u201d competition.<\/p>\n
Sixteen teams in total were invited to compete in the event, which accounts for one of two State Talent Development Camps, delivered by Tennis Australia Project Talent each year. Event organisers were thrilled also with inclusion of the Maribyrnong Jets, from Victoria, and the ITF (Oceania Pacific) \u2013 Team Pasifika, featuring players from Noumea and Tahiti.<\/p>\n
All Project Talent initiatives aim to cater to, inform and develop four key groups \u2013 CAPS \u2013 Coaches, Athletes, Parents and Staff. With this, the camp showcased not only some great on court action, but fantastic development sessions for athletes, coaches and parents alike. Guest speakers included Rob Barty, father of Ashleigh Barty, Dr Cliff Mallett, Associate Professor of Sports Psychology and Coaching in the School of Human Movement Studies at The University of Queensland, Martin Oosthuysen, ITF white badge referee, Queensland\u2019s own Gary Stickler, Talent Development Coach Mentor and finally\u00a0Brent Larkham, AIS\/National Academy Queensland Head Coach. One of Victoria\u2019s leading Talent Development coaches and Manager of the Marribyrnong Jets, Marc Sophoulis, also took time to present to our coaches.<\/p>\n
On court, we saw; 16 teams, over 20 managers, 358 matches and 170 hours of tennis, reach an exciting climax, when the top four teams crossed pools for a place in the final (rain meant revised schedule). Semifinal one, saw TFP come up against Team Pasifika, with TFP going through to play the winner of the Marribyrnong Jets and Gold Coast United, which was the Jets.<\/p>\n
At 1pm it was decided in a very tight final, that Marribyrnong would be the first Oakley State Inter Academy Team Challenge winner from inter-state, taking out third time finalists TFP. In closing, presentations included acknowledging finalists as well as rewarding positive behavior exhibited by individual players, coaches and parents throughout the weekend.<\/p>\n
Congratulations to the following award winners:<\/strong><\/p>\n Congratulations again to Marribyrnong Jets, individual award winners and all other athletes on a wonderful weekend of tennis, and the spirit in which matches were fought.<\/p>\n If you are interested in Tennis Australia\u2019s Project Talent initiatives or want more information on Coach Education or Player Pathways please contact one of our staff members on 07 3120 1918.”<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Darran Wrighton writes that “the 2014 Oakley State Inter Academy Team Challenge took centre stage at the Queensland Tennis Centre from the 26th \u2013 28th April. Tennis Australia Project Talent has worked hard to cement this event as a must …<\/p>\n\n