Montana Grenfell is hoping to gain a place in Victorian tennis’ new elite training program, the National High Performance Academy.
By Marc McGowan
DINGLEY Grade One Pennant star Montana Grenfell is on the cusp of entering Victoria’s newly formed elite tennis program, the National High Performance Academy, which begins next month.
Grenfell, 15, enjoyed a prosperous 2006, gaining her first junior International Tennis Federation points and going undefeated in singles as Dingley reached the finals in Grade One Pennant.
The exciting academy has its origins in Craig Tiley’s appointment as the new head of player development for Australian tennis in July 2005.
Tiley implemented the structure of the program, which is operational or preparing to be operational in five states – Victoria, New South Wales, South Australia, Queensland and Western Australia.
Head coach Chris Mahony and manager Mick Hinneberg will orchestrate the Victorian academy and are excited about its potential.
“It is no secret that we’re a bit light on at the very top at ATP and WTA level,” Mahony said.
“We have been very spoilt there – we were exceptional back in the 50s and 60s.
“We can get there again. Many of the countries that are consistently producing top 20 players now didn’t compete at that level in the past.
“There is now no athlete that can’t get found and get developed.
“We are heading in the right direction and it is my opinion that in 10 years from now we will be in a much better state of affairs.”
A meeting was held with the cream of Victoria’s tennis talent three weeks ago to discuss the program, and Grenfell was in attendance.
“He (Mahony) knew who I was and just explained which scholarship I could possibly get into,” she said.
Grenfell is ranked seventh in her age group in the state and the top four gain automatic entry into the program, but Mahony pointed out that it was not the only way to participate.
“We have the ability to place a couple of wildcards into the program. Some age groups are quite strong, whereas some are a bit lighter on,” he said.
“We will look at the fifth and sixth (ranked players in each age group), although there won’t be a ton of wildcards.”
