Lachlan Finnerty was named Gunnedah’s 2026 Junior Sports Person of the Year, following exceptional results as a locally trained tennis player.
After a Sports Team of the Year award had also been given at previous Gunnedah-based Australia Day awards, this year there was just one sports-related award: ‘Sports Person of the Year or Sports Team of the Year’.
Lachlan was selected last year for the U10 state squad, which required weekly training sessions at Sydney Olympic Park.
Lachlan won the U10 singles and mixed doubles at last year’s NSW Country Championships, and also had two title wins at the Gunnedah Tennis Club championships.
Nine years of age at the time, Lachlan defeated his dad Trent in the Division 2 men’s singles decider, as Lachlan played in this division rather than the U10 and U12 age groups.
Trent was able to share the spoils of victory with his son in the Division 2 men’s doubles, as Trent and Lachlan won this title.
Lachlan also competed in the Northern NSW Champion of Champions, and was a finalist in the state event.
Earlier this month, Lachlan represented NSW Country against NSW City during the United Cup in Sydney.
Lachlan was also selected to attend a prestigious national training camp in Melbourne, during the Australian Open.
Lachlan’s Gunnedah-based tennis coach, Craig Louis, commented on a Louis Tennis Academy social media page, “Lachlan’s success is built on daily effort, coachability, and a genuine passion for tennis.
“He consistently turns up ready to learn and compete.
“We are extremely proud of his efforts and the way he represents himself on and off the court.”
