Local youngsters represent Mid West in Bunbury during Darcy Slater and Women in Tennis Foundation Cup

More than 20 junior tennis players travelled down to Bunbury over the last weekend of October to compete in the Darcy Slater and Women in Tennis Foundation Cup, representing the Mid West.

Led by coach Alana Miles, 23 juniors were organised into four girls and two boys teams.

Miles said this year had been a real positive turn in the number of girls willing to participate in the program.

“Using our No Limits Program, funded by Tennis Australia, we’ve worked really, really hard to get girls on court,” she said.

“We got that up and running at Sun City Tennis Academy, and from that, we’ve ended up getting 48 girls on court, which has been fantastic.”

The No Limits Program is aimed at young female athletes and encourages them to grow a love for the game of tennis and to compete at events such as the Darcy Slater and Women in Tennis Foundation Cup.

From the 48 girls that participated in the No Limits Program, 16 girls put their hand up to represent the Mid West in Bunbury, the biggest Mid West team that Miles has sent to the Foundation Cup. The rising stars competed in singles matches followed by team matches.

Miles said the results spoke for themselves.

“We had nine girls out of the 16 make a final, and one to go on and win her singles final and two that were runner-ups,” she said.

Miles said the importance for the boys and girls to gain exposure to this sort of event was invaluable to their development.

“It is so important for them, its huge,” she said.

“Not only is it great for them to play in a competition such as this but the memories they will now have of such a great weekend away will last forever.

“It just makes me really happy. Seeing it just gives you an idea of the love that they’ve got for it.”