Young Rockingham players on the rise
A Rockingham Tennis Club team has gained entry into the State League competition for the first time in 15 years.
The club's 16 and under girls have shown their strength in pennants competitions gaining enough points to be chosen in the top six team competition.
Players Danielle Coombe, 14, Jasmine, 13, and Skye Royall, 11, Jessie Voitkevich, 13, and Madeleine Wenham, 16, made the cut and are set to play the toughest teams in WA this summer.
Resident club coach Verne Klein said it was exciting the girls had been selected for the State League competition.
"It gives the club a lot more profile and it gives our younger girls something to aspire to," he said.
"It also gives the other kids who do the coaching something to look up to.
"They'll be able to come in and watch the girls play and hopefully be inspired to improve their tennis as well."
Klein said the State League gave the girls the opportunity to verse the best competition in WA and play in the strongest junior competition.
"It means they can aspire to do as well as they possibly can," he said.
"Some of them are competing in tournaments already - Skye for example is playing off for a position in the State team next week, she is a candidate in the State 12-under team.
"Last year Jessie made the State team, and Maddie helps with a lot of the coaching and is developing as a very good player, she also plays in the club's ladies team."
Klein said the girls would be practicing at least three or four times a week, some every day, and playing competitions once a week at their level. He said the club had two professional players come through its doors, Brydan Klein and Storm Sanders, who in their time off helped coach the rising stars at the club.
The girls had their first game on Sunday against Reabold Tennis Club and won hands down 6-0 winning all their singles and double matches.
For information on the club or training options contact Verne on 040 121 6667.
