To get invited to the Central West Junior Development Series Champion of Champions is hard enough as it is, but to head into the comp with no coach, now that is something.
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Five Mudgee young guns will head to Bathurst this weekend to compete in the JDS, after traveling all over the Central West to qualify.
A prestigious achievement for all as only the top eight in each category get invited to play.
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George Mills, Shayna Hickey, Samuel Roth, Joshua Meers and Gabrielle Mills will be representing Mudgee.
Mother of Shayna, Vera Nolan says despite not having a coach, the kids are remaining positive and training hard.
“We probably couldn’t afford to have this long without a coach.”
“They’ve been training very hard this year.”
“They’ll go and do their best and have fun.”
Going into a comp with opponents who undoubtedly have coaching, Lisa Mills says the Mudgee reps are going in on the back foot.
“We’re sort of on a back foot without a coach.”
“They all used to constantly play through the week because they had lessons, squad or social playing, now none of that is happening.”
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Nolan and Mills says their team aren’t fussed about going in without a coach because no matter what, they all have each others back.
“If someone’s having a bad day, they will go and comfort them and make sure they’re ok,” Nolan said.
They all used to constantly play through the week because they had lessons, squad or social playing, now none of that is happening.
- Lisa Mills
“They all wander over when one of them is playing and make sure they’re going good, and just support them,” Mills said.
“They’re very supportive of each other.”
Samuel Roth, 13, has been playing tennis for 10 years, and this will be his first JDS Champion of Champions visit.
“It’s pretty exciting since I’ve never made it before.”
Going in not knowing what to expect, Roth says he’s looking forward to just playing some good tennis.
“I just can’t wait to get there and play some good tennis, hopefully it’ll be a good day.”
All of the team told the Mudgee Guardian if it weren’t for their coach Nathan, they wouldn’t be getting the chance to play at Champion of Champions.
“Nathan has been a big help and helped me get to my first JDS,” Roth said.
“He’s been one of the best coaches Mudgee has ever had.”
The team of five will play in Bathurst on Sunday 28, October, 2019.
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Jay-Anna Sleeman
Reporter for the Western Advocate. First began as a sports journalist with ACM in 2018 before moving on to cover news and court.
Reporter for the Western Advocate. First began as a sports journalist with ACM in 2018 before moving on to cover news and court.
