Double honours for Halle Faherty at Tennis Southland awards
Waihopai Tennis Cub member Halle Faherty took out both the Top Performing Junior Female and ILT Senior Player of the Year titles at the recent Tennis Southland awards.
Faherty won both the 16 Girls singles at the ILT Southland Junior Closed tournament and Open singles at the ILT Southland Senior Open, amongst a season of top accomplishments.
The top ranked female player in Southland, Faherty also impressed with her dedication and positive demeanour.
Te Anau club member Sky Lovill was named ILT Senior Player of the Year.
Lovill, who was one of the top ranked juniors in the United States, spent the summer coaching in Southland and was unbeaten as the number one ranked Southland men’s player at Southern Districts fixtures through November and February.
He took out both the Stonewood Homes Wanaka Open and Timaru Kiwi Money Tournament.
Spectators were impressed with the easy-going American’s ability and it’s hoped that he will return to Southland next season.
Club mate Tim Willans, the third ranked male player in the province, was the Top Peforming Junior Male despite battling with injury during the season.
He represented Southland at 14 years and 16 years level and competed at the New Zealand 16U Championships.
Craig Collins’ decision to return to tennis has seen him claim the George Taylor and Greg Thomas Award for Senior Player of the Year (over 35), while Nicole Foskett-Hay was awarded the Judy Gimblett Award for Senior Player of the Year.
Riley Smith (Waihopai Tennis Club) and Maggie Nicholson (Citizens Tenns Club) jointly won The Eye Excellence award.
Jo Smith was a deserved winner of the Joyce Telford Volunteer of the Year award for her many and varied roles with the Waihopai Tennis Club.
Ensign Cup - Most points over 5 tournaments (Northern/Central/Eastern/Invercargill/Western)
Winner: Central 1027
2nd Northern 576
3rd Invercargill 475
Ensign Cup – Most Individual Points
Male Winner: Leo Tagg (Limehills Tennis Club) 81 points
2nd Rafferty McIntosh (Winton Tennis Club) 76 3rd Alex Stevens (Waihopai Tennis Club) 71
Female Winner: Libby Crawford (Waihopai Tennis Club) 70 points
2nd Katy Brown (Waihopai Tennis Club) 64 3rd Poppi Clark (Limehills Tennis Club) 60
