BRENDAN LINES
COBDOGLA Primary School was toasted at Tennis SA’s recent awards night as the most outstanding school for 2021.
There was multiple cause for more celebration as Riverland tennis picked up a swathe of awards at the presentation dinner held in Adelaide on May 1.
The Riverland Lawn Tennis Association (RLTA) received the award for most outstanding competition, for its senior intertown competition, and the Renmark Tintra Lawn Tennis Club (RTLCA) received awards for most outstanding tennis club (rural) and most outstanding competition (rural), while the State Foundation Cup held in Berri was awarded most outstanding event.
It is the second year in a row the association has won the award for most outstanding event for its senior intertown competition.
John Pick, president of the RLTA, said the award recognised the Riverland tennis community.
“Winning the most outstanding rural competition again was particularly pleasing as it recognises and encompasses the eight clubs that make up our competition,” Mr Pick said.
David Ness, principal of Cobdogla Primary School, was rapt to receive the award on the school’s behalf.
“We’re thrilled to have taken out the award for most outstanding school in all of South Australia,” Mr Ness said.
“It has really been good recognition for the coaches and the school staff for all the work they’ve done and for the students as well.
“We actually made it to the finals as the most outstanding school in all of Australia.
“That’s the next stage that we will apply for, but just being recognised in SA is still a really good result.”
A school of just 130 students, Cobdogla Primary School punched well above its weight among its big city counterparts.
The school, which won the same award in 2018, is now in contention for a national award.
Mr Ness said tennis forms a regular part of the school’s sports program.
“Students walk to the tennis courts on a Thursday after school and there are some really good coaches that support the kids,” he said.
“We get professional coaches like John Pick to come in and volunteer coaches as well.
“It’s a program that’s taken up by all the teachers with a lead teacher supporting them.
“We would have at least 60 per cent of the school’s students that play tennis on a Saturday which reflects the culture of tennis in the school.”
For Renmark Tintra it was the second time in three years the club was recognised as the best country-based club.
Mr Pick said hard work at the club was “paying off”.
“We are proud to accept the rural award for most outstanding tennis club,” he said.
“We have really focussed on being a dynamic, progressive and inclusive club, and we can see that work paying off with membership retention and growth.
“This award is a credit to our committee, members, sponsors and the Renmark Paringa Council, who we would very much like to thank.”
Mr Pick also thanked Barmera’s Justin Bannear who was one of three finalists in the Volunteer Achievement Award.