Cream of Port Stephens tennis talent showcase skills at Foreshore Tennis Junior Championships Port Stephens Sport Property/Sports/Opinion - popup ad Sport by News Of The Area - Modern Media - December 28, 2023 Talented prospects Val Hammerton (Stockton), Jonty Hutchings (Tilligerry), Archie Morris (Stockton), Sam Judge (Tilligerry), singles champion Sam Gretencord (Stockton), runner up Ari Fuller (Stockton) and Noah Segal (Stockton) participated in the Foreshore Tennis Junior Championships Green Ball division. TANILBA BAY prodigy Olivia McLoughlin has continued her dominance on the tennis court. At the annual Foreshore Tennis Junior Championships staged at Stockton Tennis Club, the emerging Port Stephens prospect defended her Yellow Ball Girls singles title to underline her potential. Twelve-year-old Olivia overcame the balmy conditions and demonstrated her court skills to eclipse Tilligerry club mate Sophie Hutchings in the final with an impressive straight sets triumph. It was another encouraging performance by the highly rated schoolgirl who has developed her game under the tutelage of leading Foreshore Tennis coach Kelly Wildon. Promising Stockton junior Ben Segal, twelve, defeated Mitchell Humbles, fourteen, in the Yellow Ball Boys Final. In the modified events, Izaak Mehla (Stockton) toppled Tilligerry’s Oscar Breaden to clinch the Red Ball title while Stockton’s Lucas Petersen was crowned Orange Ball champion after downing club mate Brody Goeldner in the decider. Talented Stockton junior Sam Gretencord showed his natural ability to outclass another exciting Stockton prospect in Ari Fuller and claim the Green Ball trophy. Foreshore Tennis Head Coach James Bellette told News Of The Area, “This year’s Junior Championship event attracted 42 of the best junior tennis hopefuls from the Hunter region. “Despite the stifling heat the players produced a high calibre of tennis throughout the various divisions which augurs well for the future,” quipped James. “Special thanks to tireless volunteers Penny Judge, Helen Tucker, Anne Ward, Melissa Weatherstone, Rhi, Mitch and Kiana and Steve Tucker for their support of the event and Port Stephens Council for kindly assisting with a Rapid Response Grant that provided funding towards trophies, court hire and sausages from Steak N Chops at Tanilba Bay Butchers,” he revealed. “A big thank you also to Yolanda and the team from Coles Tanilba Bay who generously donated two $50 gift vouchers that were claimed by Piper W and Cooper B as lucky door prize winners,” James added. By Chris KARAS Tanilba Bay hot-shot Olivia McLoughlin (right) won back-to-back Yellow Ball Girls titles at the recent Foreshore Tennis Junior Championships. She is pictured with runner up Sophia Hutchings and leading coach Kelly Wildon.
