Kelvin Grove State College tennis players prepare for team national championships starting Saturday

Kelvin Grove State College tennis players will contest the team nationals starting Saturday after a stellar season which saw the side fly Australia’s flag at the world championship in Italy earlier in the year.

Kelvin Grove State College tennis players will contest the team nationals starting Saturday after a stellar season which saw the side fly Australia’s flag at the world championship in Italy earlier in the year.

The players, who contributed to Kelvin Grove being named School of the Year at the recent Queensland Tennis Awards night,gained valuable life and tennis experience at the world championships.

Full Digital Access: $5 per month for the first 3 months (conditions apply)

Trent Steele, Tennis Excellence co-ordinator at Kelvin Grove State College, said the team came fifth, but as much as they were competitive on the court, the whole experience developed them.

Kelvin Grove State High School tennis players Nicola Schoeman, Sydney Stones, Lara Smith and Ella Ptiiendreigh.

“Even the location. The whole community got involved in the tournament. There was a procession through the town, the local primary schoolchildren even made an Australian banner for us,’’ Steele said.

Steele said the team was continuing a proud tennis tradition after the program was started three decades ago by passionate teacher Max Bates.

Kelvin Grove State High School tennis players Sydney Stone in front of the Ashleigh Barty mural at the Queensland Tennis Centre.

“As an entire program we aim to prepare the students to be professional, if that is what they want to do.’’

He said there was an enormous amount of work off the court as well through gym, physiotherapy, yoga, fitness and psychology. “We have an all-round approach to tennis.’’

Kelvin Grove State High School tennis players Nicola Schoeman, left and Ella Pittendreigh at the unveiling of murals for Sam Stosur and Ashleigh Barty.

Steele stressed tennis at Kelvin Grove was not only for the most talented. “I am really proud of our elite players who have get the accolades at the moment.

But he was just as proud of the players under the top tier.

Kelvin Grove State High School tennis player Martine Carroll.

He said the program, which starts with students from years 4-6, aimed to improve students to the best of their tennis ability, regardless of the standard they attain.

Bardon’s Jade Liebenberg is a member of the program. Steele said she had been a “a positive influence on the program upon rejoining from a year and a half hiatus’’.