Big numbers expected for club's grasscourt tournament

It's an Australian Money Tournament (semi-professional) as well as a Tennis Australia Junior Tour Tournament.

But this year organisers have tweaked the draw to help grow the game.

President Kim Tobin said there were additional junior categories to encourage more south-west kids to get involved.

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The tournament will have three new non-points junior events - 11 and under, 13 and under and 15 and under singles.

"They're non-points events so the less experienced tournament players can have an opportunity, particularly our local kids, of experiencing a tournament," Tobin said.

"They'll be in among all the players that travel to come to this event.

"But they will be gaining some invaluable experience and it's a good way for them to start."

She said players were signing up to the new age groups.

"We've got some good numbers in those age groups as well, so thrilled with that," she said.

Tobin credited tournament director Jake Dunn with the innovative idea.

Dunn, who is based at Lara, is past club member.

Otherwise, junior players from across Australia will compete to accumulate points toward their Australian junior ranking.

Warrnambool cousins Toby Gedye, 13, and Cooper Lynch, 11, are taking the opportunity to play against some of the nation's best juniors.

The pair hone their skills in junior pennant on Saturdays and also receive coaching.

Gedye will play singles and doubles in the 14 and under category.

The Emmanuel College student will partner up with Koroit's Mitchell Lloyd for the tournament.

Gedye said he enjoyed the social aspect of the big grasscourt event.

"It's good fun, you meet lots of new people," he said.

"You can play against a bloke in the singles and you might ask him to do doubles in the next tournament.

"And then you're friends at the next tournament."

Lynch is excited to take on the competition in the 12 and under singles and doubles.

His doubles partner is Koroit's Austin Lloyd (Mitchell's brother).

Lynch said his goal was to keep improving his tennis.

"I want to be the best I can be and I look up to (Novak) Djokovic, he's a very good player," he said.

Tobin said adult numbers were up for the five-day event.

The men's Australian Money Tournament (AMT) already has 85 players while 32 players have registered for the women's AMT.

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