Collaroy Tennis Club was once again privileged to host the elite Premier League Ladies Competition on Saturday 18th November. It was a day on which some absolutely wonderful tennis was on display as the Collaroy girls took on a team from the Vince Barclay Tennis Academy and the Kooroora club played Tennis World.
To give you an idea of the standard, two of the girls from Tennis World, including the very promising Jizelle Sibai, represented Australia in the 14 and Under event at Wimbledon back in July.
CTC Committee Members Kenny Moyle, Glenn Robertson and Kate Byrne made sure all teams were well looked after on the day, organising a fantastic spread of healthy food and ice cold drinks.
In a sensational display on their home courts, the Collaroy girls won three of the four singles matches on the day, plus both doubles, for a resounding overall win.
This is only the second year that Collaroy has fielded a Premier League team and for the second consecutive year, our team has made the Semi-Finals, finishing 2nd on the table after the regular rounds, just 1 point behind the top team.
We’re set to play the Kooroora club at their home courts in Roseville today, 25th November. Though we beat this team in our last meeting, unfortunately injuries and tournament commitments mean most of our top ranked girls are unavailable for the Semi. We’re up against it, with two reserves including 11-year-old (yes, 11!) Maaia Salbiera and Sunna Bedford answering the call to arms, but given Collaroy’s reputation for fighting to the end, Team Manager Scott Fletcher still expects our girls to give a good account of themselves.
Sunna and Maaia both reserved in the final round match against the Vince Barclay Tennis Academy on our home courts and played some great tennis. Sunna won her singles in a tight three-set encounter and then combined with Maaia to also win their doubles in a Match Tiebreaker. Though disappointed to lose her singles, young Maaia played exceptionally in the Doubles. Two or three years at that age makes a big difference, but you could tell that Maaia has an innate confidence beyond her years. By the time she turns 14, the other girls had better watch out!
It’s been that kind of Comp. with a bye round and even a forfeit received from one team preventing the best outcome. But indicative of the prestige in which the Club is held, one player travelled all the way from Tamworth to be part of our team this year. 17-year-old Taya Powell is off to the U.S. to play College tennis in 2024, but was so keen to play for Collaroy in the prestigious Premier League that she made the 6-hour journey from her home town on match day to do so. We wish our girls all the best in the Semi-Final and know that, regardless of the result, they’ll do us proud. Should they win, the Premier League Final will be played the following Saturday, December 2, at Sydney Olympic Park.
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