The 2025 Bendigo Community Bank Merbein Junior Tennis Tournament was held last Saturday at the Sacred Heart and St Andrew’s Tennis Club in Mildura, celebrating over 30 years of annual junior tennis tradition.
The event continues to provide a welcoming yet competitive platform for young players across the Sunraysia region and beyond.
With a round-robin format ensuring maximum court time, the tournament featured singles competition across five age divisions.
“It has been a busy time at our tennis club with the club hosting the Australian Open 2026 Ball Kid trials on Friday 6 June,” said Sacred Heart junior club delegate Carole DeMaria.
“Jon Watson from Tennis Victoria held a coaching session for the Sunraysia Tennis Academy tennis athletes on Sunday as well as a Community coaching course that afternoon.”
Winners on the day included Jack Burford in the Under 18 championship highlight bracket of the day, who lifted the Merle Watson Perpetual Shield for a second consecutive year.
Aydin Yazici, Onat Guzelburc and Ethan Davis all picked up first place positions in their respective boys age groups.
In the two girls categories, Nicola DeMaria and Samuella Allieu were triumphant while William Harrison and Victoria Pedler claimed the 10 and under age groups.
“Thanks to the generous support of the Bendigo Community Bank Merbein, winners received sports vouchers, with the 18/U champion also awarded a $100 Visa gift card,” said DeMaria.
“Sacred Heart and St Andrew’s Tennis Club would like to thank the Bendigo Community Bank Merbein for their continued support, which plays a vital role in the success and growth of this community event.”
The tournament continues to grow as it appeals to aspiring youth tennis athletes of varied ages and abilities.
This development coincides with the ambitions of the Sacred Heart and St Andrew’s Tennis Club.
“Our latest initiative involves installing automatic lighting to four of our courts, extending the hours during which tennis can be played,” Club Secretary Marion Vorwerk said.
“We are working on plans for the future of the complex to grow tennis in Sunraysia,” said DeMaria.
With the conclusion of the annual championships, junior winter tennis continues each Saturday morning from 9 to 11am, alongside Hot Shots from 9 to 10am.
The Seniors winter competition runs every Saturday afternoon from 1pm.
