Rowan Anderson

Journalist

Local junior William Beck is showing what he can do with racquet in hand.

The 12-year-old Mossman State School recently participated in the National Indigenous Tennis Carnival in Darwin.

He has been part of the MSTC for just over 12 months and he was recently runner up in the club's Junior Championships as well as winning the doubles with his partner Josh Tulacz.

In order to be part of the QLD team he had to attend and try out for selections in Cairns last
month.

Alan Lane from the Mossman Squash & Tennis Club (MSTC) was passionate about locals being involved with the carnival.

"The club feels this is important for our local club and to show our young players that these opportunities exists and how it can benefit them," Lane said.

“Also good for those who have not yet joined but have been thinking about it.”

Former world number one and indigenous Australian tennis legend Evonne Goolagong Cawley was in  attendance which elevated the event to another level for all involved.

Along with the tennis tournament cultural workshops and activities also were run for everybody to take part in.

Tennis Queensland’s Cody Meagher accompanied the Far North Queensland team on the trip.

“180 kids from around Australia competed with twenty-nine players representing QLD and eleven of those players coming from Far North QLD,” Meagher said.

“Queensland had the largest team outside of Northern Territory.

“The first event included a red ball competition with nine teams from remote communities in Northern Territory and one QLD team.

“The second event was the green ball stream with all states competing in the event and the third event was the challenge stream which had an under-14s mixed draw and under-18 girls and boys, with these players being selected based off their rankings. 

“Queensland finished third in the final standings and were awarded a medal for the 2022 Ash Barty Cup.”

Meagher also commented on Will’s individual effort and what he brought to the FNQ contingent.

“Will did an amazing job as part of one of our two green ball teams and won a few matches very comfortably as well as playing in a few doubles’ games with the older players," Meagher remarked.

“Off the court he was having a lot of fun with the team and took part in all the activities, there was a few other boys around the same age, and they all became close friends by the end of the trip."