Sport
27 December, 2023
Player matches Ash Barty
A FAR Northern Ash Barty is in the making. Vanessa Fitzgerald, nine, has won the 10-and-under Queensland State title for two consecutive years as part of the Blitz Kids tennis program which has won 13 titles over the course of 13 months.
Operating out of Edmonton and Gordonvale tennis clubs, the program features 50 juniors, some younger than eight.
Just one of the many superstars who are part of this program, Vanessa has won the 10-and-under Queensland State title for two consecutive years.
Other titles won by members of the program include four Queensland singles titles, four doubles titles, Rod Laver Queensland singles and doubles titles, two Queensland junior singles development titles, as well as the 14-year Cairns women’s singles title.
Blitz Kids coach and Edmonton Tennis Club president Guy Thomas said it had been a great season.
“Vanessa has won the Queensland state titles’ 10-and-under division for two consecutive years now,” he said.
“The last person to accomplish this was Ash Barty.
“Although she will still be eligible for the 10-and-under division next year, Vanessa will be playing 12-and-unders.”
Mr Thomas also shared the potential he saw in younger members of the program. “There will be another four young people coming through next year,” he said.
“I see potential in all of them, but it’s all down to hard work.
“These kids train every day, some even train twice a day. Even the parents get involved.”
Mr Thomas also praised the accessibility of the program, finishing with his experience of the last few years of running it.
“We’ve made sure it doesn’t cost a fortune, so it’s accessible to most people,” he said.
“I’ve seen these kids go from nothing to winning titles in the span of just months.
“The program has been a great success over the last few years, I have great expectations for the future.
