TOM HAYES
TENNIS
TRARALGON INTERNATIONAL By TOM HAYES TRARALGON Tennis Association will open its doors once again in 2023, for the 30th AGL Loy Yang Traralgon International Junior Tournament. From January 13-18, Traralgon will host about 150 boys and girls from around the world, competing for the junior championship. Around a month out from the tournament, on Friday December 15, the Traralgon Tennis Association invited AGL to celebrate the 30th year of their partnership. AGL has been involved with the Traralgon International Tournament since the beginning – 30 years ago. “We are proud to once again be naming rights sponsor of the Loy Yang Traralgon International for the 2023 competition,” AGL Loy Yang general manager, Christo van Niekerk, said. “The tournament not only supports the local community and economy by putting Traralgon on the map for some of the world’s junior tennis stars but provides an opportunity for AGL workers to volunteer and give back to the local community. “We have been working with the Loy Yang Traralgon International since its first year, watching it grow to one of the most anticipated events in the community. “Over three decades, we have worked together to put on fantastic events throughout the year, help upgrade the facilities and put on the annual tournament. AGL Loy Yang looks forward to supporting the tournament and junior tennis stars for years to come.” During its time as sponsor, AGL has seen many boys and girls come to Traralgon to compete, then flourish as international tennis stars. Australian names such as Ash Barty and Nick Kyrgios have competed at the Traralgon International Tournament as juniors, as has 20-time Gland Slam winner Roger Federer. According to Traralgon Tennis Association manager, Susie Grumley, “the Traralgon International is the leading event to the Australian Open Junior Championships at Melbourne Park”. “The Traralgon Tennis Association is honoured to have partnered with AGL Loy Yang over the past 30 years. This is a wonderful, long-standing partnership and we couldn’t have continued without it,” she said. “The support and friendship that all the managers and staff have given to the club over this time has been amazing and extends not only over our major events, but continually throughout the year. “AGL Loy Yang are a wonderful company that supports so many Gippsland sporting and non-sporting events, we are so fortunate to have them and all the team working within our community.” Joining the Traralgon Tennis Association and AGL at the celebration was new entrant, Traralgon’s Sam McGregor. McGregor, 17, has been playing tennis since the age of nine and is now stepping up to the international plate. “It’s definitely nerve-racking, but I’m looking forward to the experience and playing against some strong players,” he said. McGregor plans to move to an American college next year to continue his tennis dream. “The standard is definitely heaps stronger … this is going to be the best step for me to take,” he said. Following the Traralgon International Tournament, juniors have the chance of making the Australian Open Juniors. Traralgon Tennis Association will also be host of this qualification round, which takes place on January 18 and 19.
