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GALLERY: Barty, Special Ks spark tennis interest in Newy

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A new crop of stars is set to lob onto local courts, which has Tennis NSW Central Region – Newcastle TDO Kathy Barber grinning from ear-to-ear.

Thanks to the brilliant efforts of Ash Barty, and that of Nick Kyrgios and Thanasi Kokkinakis, at the Australian open last month, the sport’s governing state body hopes their success – and the attention it generated throughout the country – flows into Hunter Valley centres, too.

World number one Barty claimed the women’s singles crown without dropping a set in the two-week tournament, while unseeded Kyrgios and Kokkinakis, the Special Ks, stunned all to lift the men’s doubles trophy.

“Interest in tennis has certainly risen,” Barber said.

“We’re one of the few sports COVID’s been good for; topped off with our results at the Australian Open.

“Tennis NSW is finding a lot of people are playing social tennis again.

“I guess it’s because we’re such a safe sport in the current health climate.

“Many of them have returned to the game after not picking up a racquet for years.

“Now, all our coaches are telling us they’ve got waiting lists for young kids wanting to take part, too.

“The role models we saw at the Australian Open were fantastic.

“It was great for tennis, even the Special Ks.

“They entertained the crowds and had people talking about the game again.

“It’s about the show as much as it is about the competition.

“Then you balance all that with an amazing person such as Ash Barty.

“We’re definitely riding a wave of popularity right now.”

That was evidenced by last weekend’s turnout at the Regional Match Play Series at Gosford, according to Barber.

“Eighty-plus kids, including many from Newcastle, played on the Central Coast; and we’re at Nelson Bay next,” she said.

“We’re expecting good numbers there as well.

“There are some really good tennis opportunities around.

“Not only to join the Hot Shots Red Ball program for beginners, but lots of junior initiatives, too.

“School trials will also start up soon.”

One of the first Newcastle organisations to take advantage of the sport’s high-profile at the moment was the Hamilton Park Tennis Club (HPTC).

HPTC hosted the inaugural open Universal Tennis Rating (UTR) tournament for 2022 this week, the Hardcourt Summer Series.

“Club coach Stephen O’Malley was the brains behind the concept,” Barber said.

“He registered the event with the UTR system and put together a few local sponsors – including the Newcastle Autism Treatment Service at Broadmeadow – to stage it.

“He’s hoping to conduct these challenges monthly in Gregson Park, the next being for girls.

“Six young gentlemen – Joshua Marsh, Matej Zich, Christian Hernan Pividori, Lachlan Stubbs, Lucas Fox and Rene Boyton – vied for cash and important UTR points.

“Stephen will now invite more players, and anyone with a UTR better than six, to come and play once a month.

“The system is all about contesting games of equal standing.

“So, we’re trying to find matches for those, such as these six boys, who are currently in the 10 (UTR) bracket.

“Presently, they need to locate others at that level to play against.

“These guys [today] are regularly looking for this sort of game to keep their UTR going up the scale.

“That will then allow them to enter satellite and challenger tournaments.

“And, the higher the level, the bigger the prizemoney – and more chances to play on the national stage.

“They’re all aspiring to do that.

“So, it’s terrific to see a coach like Stephen show initiative to give players an opportunity.”

Barber said the Hamilton Park Tennis Club was primed for bigger things, too.

“Not only do they have a new-look UTR series here, they boast a great social program,” she told the Newcastle Weekly.

“As well, thanks to City of Newcastle, we’ve got a whole new development plan for HPTC over the next decade.

“What an exciting place this is going to be in the future.”

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