Hosts St Patrick’s defeat all challenges

Five Great Southern Schools took part in the SunSmart Schools Tennis Classic Great Southern Zone play-off with Katanning’s St Patrick’s Primary School going undefeated on their home court on March 9.

Schools Sports WA along with Tennis West ran the event that attracted 27 students from Broomehill Primary School, Braeside Primary School (Katanning), Gnowangerup District High School, St Bernard’s Primary School (Kojonup) and St Patrick's Primary School in the mixed round robin games.

St Patrick's could not compete in the Academy Plate Country Final in Perth for the country zone winners due to prior commitments, so runners-up Broomehill Primary School were due to take their place.

Broomehill had been set to compete against winners in South West, Upper Great Southern, Central Districts and Eastern District zones.

The final was due to take place at the State Tennis Centre and Belmont Tennis Club on Friday, March 27, but has been postponed until further notice because of the COVID-19 crisis.

The five country zone play-off events, and Perth based Country Academy Plate Final, form part of the larger SunSmart Schools Tennis Classic tournament series, which boasts as the largest participation tennis tournament in WA.

The metropolitan and regional, secondary schools competition culminates with the finals of the historic Slazenger Cup(Years 7-12) and Herbert Edward Cup(Years 7-9) at the State Tennis Centre, Robertson Park and Alexander Park Tennis Centre.

Metropolitan primary school teams will contest the Academy Plate at the State Tennis Centre and Alexander Park Tennis Club while the metropolitan and regional secondary schools competition culminates with the finals of the historic Slazenger Cup for years 7-12 and Herbert Edward Cup for years 7-9 at the State Tennis Centre, Robertson Park and Alexander Park TC.

The Slazenger Cup stands as WA’s longest-running secondary schools competition, with the historic cup dating back to 1913.

The Herbert Edward Cup for lower secondary school students was first contested in 1944, whilst the Academy Plate, for metropolitan and regional primary schools, was first awarded in 1963.

Tennis West Schools Development Co-ordinator and Tournament Director Jason Marrablesays the country zone play-offs were well contested by all involved.

“What’s been noted across each of the country zone play-offs, is a great standard of tennis, alongside fine examples of sportsmanship and comradery displayed by all students and teams,” he said.

“The country zone play-offs brings schools and students together from across the regions and pleasingly we’ve seen a record number of teams and players.”