DYLAN SMITH
Lachy Finnerty is having the tennis experience of a lifetime this week representing the 11-and-under Australian Country team at the Australian Teams Championships.
Playing in the annual tournament held on the Gold Coast, the Country team will face each of the states and territories, as well as New Zealand and Oceania.
For Lachy, who plays with the Gunnedah Tennis Club, it’s another exciting chapter in the sport after previously attending the national camp at the Australian Open at the start of the year.
The Country team is a new addition to the tournament with just a handful of children from NSW selected for the experience.
“Lachy’s goal this year was to make a national event,” his mum Leslee Finnerty said.
Lachy had been undergoing rehabilitation in recent weeks for a suspected elbow injury but it wasn’t as serious as initially thought.
Lachy, who enjoys playing in RMS events in the region and trains with the Louis Tennis Academy, is
excited for this week’s championships.
He started training with the Gunnedah-based tennis academy at five years of age when the family moved to the town.
“He trains with Craig a few times a week,” Leslee said.
“Craig and all the staff are amazing.
“Craig will push him when he needs to.
“He’s a perfectly balanced coach.”
Lachy has also enjoyed having a hit with older boys on hard courts in Tamworth in preparation for the championships.
“He’s lucky he’s got a lot of people looking out for him,” Leslee said.
Lachy’s parents have encouraged him to have a go at all sports. He’s also enjoyed playing some junior AFL.
“Tennis is the one constant,” Leslee said.
“It’s the one he loves the most.”
Such is Lachy’s commitment to the sport that he and his family travelled to Sydney Olympic Park once a week last year as Lachy was a member of the state squad.
The weekly Sydney travel paid off, paving the way for Lachy’s selection in the Australian Open camp.
Being in the lower part of the age group at this week’s championships, Lachy could also be fortunate to attend again next year.
“He’s a real go-getter,” Leslee said of her son.
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