St Mary’s student rewrites record books as youngest girls’ winner of prestigious Pardey Shield

Giving away up to five years experience was no obstacle for teenage tennis tyro Alicia Dale, who has etched her name into the record books as the youngest winner of Tasmania’s most prestigious school tournament trophy.

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THE prestigious Pardey Shield — Tasmania’s school boys and girls trophy first held in 1918 — has a long and illustrious list of previous winners.

Now it has a new record holder for youngest girls’ champion.

The likes of five time Grand Slam doubles champion and Australian and French Open singles finalist Helen Gourlay, former Australian and Tasmanian cricket captain George Bailey, state coaching icon Simon Youl and current tour professional Harry Youl all have their names on the honour roll.

And teenager Alicia Dale has joined them following a history making victory at the recent 2020 event in Launceston.

The prestigious Pardey Shield is the state’s school boys and girls trophy, first held in 1918. This years winners, Sam Edgar (18) and Alicia Dale (13). Picture: RICHARD JUPE

At 13 years and six months, Dale has taken the mantle as youngest champion from the late Angie Cunningham, a three time junior Grand Slam winner who the Hobart International trophy is named after.

Cunningham was one month older when she saluted in the 1986 edition of the tournament.

Dale defeated defending champion Charlotte Ingram in the final, continuing a blistering run of form which has included the 2020 Rosny Junior Championships and 2020 Hobart Junior Championships.

“It felt pretty good, pretty surreal I guess,” the St Mary’s student said.

“I felt I could play some good tennis, but I didn’t think I could [win].”

Dale’s coach Mickey Conallin has been working with the budding star since she was six, and said what she lacks in power against older opponents she makes up for in court craft.

“Playing kids that are older than her, the power coming on to Alicia, she just has to try and stabilise it and go for opportunities when she can go for them.

“We try and rally as much as we can and when she gets an opportunity, take it.

“The other players can hit her off the court, but tactically she is as good as I’ve ever seen for someone her age.”

Alicia Dale (right) become the youngest ever girls winner of the Pardey Shield while Sam Edgar claimed his maiden title. Picture: RICHARD JUPE

There was also a breakthrough success in the boys event, with Sam Edgar, 18, triumphing over Launceston’s Sam Whitehead.

A recent finalist in the Clarence and Cygnet Opens and a quarterfinalist at last year’s 18 and under national championships in Melbourne, Edgar was determined to play well after missing the 2019 Pardey Shield.

“There is a lot of great players there from Tasmania’s history and not playing last year, I really wanted to win this year,” said the Hobart College student, who missed a month of action in June while recovering from jaw surgery.

“We had a tournament in Hobart a few days prior and I played pretty well making the finals so I had some confidence.”

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