What a fantastic first season for Hume Tennis and Community Centre in Victorian Premier League – this is just the beginning, and next season’s goal is to make the top 3, which we were so close to achieving this year.
Craigieburn, Victoria, Australia
Lisa Whybourn (Captain), Lisa was the driver of bringing the team together. Her determination is an inspiration to us all, and I am sure is a quality the younger players look to imitate. Lisa’s Round 5 singles win against Kooyong and Australia’s rising junior, Sara Tomic showed that although Lisa has retired from the circuit she hasn’t lost form...Thanks again Lis – it is unbelievable to think you have been here only just over a year because the impact you have had on Hume Tennis and it’s members seems much greater.
Julia Kimmelmann – how lucky we were Julia played the TCAV Platinum and then took on the challenge to lead the team at number 1. The dedication Julia has to be the best player possible is something all athletes should have and am sure Julia’s ranking will head in the right direction in 2019. The win at Royal South Yarra was Julia’s best against a former Top 100 player and showed a lot of guts and determination. Can’t wait to see you back at Hume soon.
Amy Stevens passion for the game will mean her development in world tennis will be fast. Amy is just 16 years old and will take from the season how close she is to achieving a WTA ranking. Amy’s ability to overpower some of the higher ranked players was very impressive. Without a doubt, Amy’s best quality is her positive spirit, which was illustrated after 4 hours in the car to get to RSY, most people would have been pretty frustrated, but not Amy – she arrived with a smile.
Olivia Symons a 16 year old with a quiet but determined attitude – not to be under-estimated. After a tough first round loss Olivia really bounced back well, with two solid wins in matches 2 and 3. Olivia’s best win was definitely against Liston, on Centre Court at Hume. Just like Amy, Olivia will take encouragement from being competitive with girls older and with much higher rankings. Olivia is also close to achieving a WTA ranking.
Beatrice Hertel, the doubles specialist. Beatrice’s doubles was extremely competitive and the win against RSY with Lisa was a great fight and meant we finally won a 10 point tie breaker!!!! Woohooo. If only we could have won more tie breaks against MCC in Round 2. Beatrice then followed up with a singles tiebreak win against a former high ranked professional and showed a lot of character.
Leann Serna – the youngest player of all of the teams (at just 14 years) to play this season! Leann’s qualification in the upcoming Tennis Australia December Showdown (as one of only a few girls nationally to qualify in 14’s and 16’s), meant she earned her place in the Premier League team. Leann played the Number 1 girl in the country in 18’s (Australian ranking of 32) and while Leann lost the first set 1-6, she lead 3-1 and 40-15 in the second. This definitely shows Leann is not far away from achieving a high Australian and ITF ranking.
We would like to say a big thank you to the team partners – Ray White Craigieburn and Head Tennis – who were an amazing support and also the suppliers of our uniforms – girls all looked very professional. Andrew and Carlo from Ray White have been huge supporters of tennis at Hume – thanks so much. To Danny Cherry from Head Tennis Australia – we are proud to have association with a such respected global brand.
A big thanks to the support staff – which included parents for driving, and the Hume team (Super Round). The effort from all, and to have so many supporters at our Super Round, was great support to the girls.
Paige Pucar (Media) and Louis Gibson (Ball Kids)
Our Super Round was incredible and in a Premier League first – we had Ball kids on all courts. Louis Gibson (just 15 years old) trained all the kids. Louis is an Australian Open Ball Kid trainer and the job he did with 22 of our junior players was amazing. Louis you are a superstar and the world will be your oyster…..
Paige Pucar: Paige is a media student and as part of her studies needed to have a practical component to her Journalist degree – I am sure everyone would agree, she did a stellar job keeping everyone updated.
Thanks again to the girls and all the supporters – I only wonder what might have been if we had won more tiebreakers…. We are already looking forward to a bigger 2019!
Hume Tennis will be participating in Tennis Victoria’s Pennant competition in 2019 and welcomes inquiries from both male and female players.
Hume Tennis and Community Centre is a Craigieburn Tennis Club situated in the north of Melbourne and is one of Australia’s premium tennis centres.
Tim Connelly | Manager Hume Hurricanes
Tennis Victoria’s Womens Premier League