State versus state for top juniors

IT isn't quite mate against mate but this weekend's Junior State of Origin tournament will showcase some of Queensland's and New South Wales' best young players.

Jack Moore.

IT isn’t quite mate against mate but this weekend’s Junior State of Origin tournament will showcase some of Queensland’s and New South Wales’ best young players.

The two-day competition, which will be held at Tewantin Tennis Club from 9am each day, will involve 24 of the country’s most promising junior tennis players battling for bragging rights.

The tournament is one of the biggest on the calendar for players aged between 11 and 16.

In the 14 years boys’ group, North Arm’s Jack Moore is favoured to perform strongly after finishing last year’s tournament unbeaten.

Queensland coach and Noosa Springs programs coordinator John Gould said his team was looking strong this year.

“We’ve been beaten the last couple of years but this year we’ve got a strong side,” he said.

“A handful of the first-choice players are still playing in a national ranked tournament so they won’t be there but we’ve managed to assemble a quality squad.”

The average ranking of the Queensland team is 541 in the country overall (including senior players), while New South Wales has an average of 721.

Sarah Tomic, sister of young Australian sensation Bernard, will be competing for Queensland in the 14 years girls’ division.

“After this there are a couple of tournaments around the state and country and this will set them up well for the nationals,” Gould said.

To qualify for this tournament, the juniors had to perform strongly at a recent competition in Rockhampton.

Originally published as State versus state for top juniors