Kassandra Dunser has taken her first 14/u National Singles title in Perth at the Optus 14s Spring Nationals, defeating Victorian Stefani Stojic.
While No. 3 seed Stojic won the first set, 13 year old Dunser's powerful forehand proved the difference in the second and third sets, and saw her take the match 3-6 6-3 6-2.
Tennis Australia's Athlete Development Manger for the Northern Territory and South Australia Rohan Fisher described Kassandra's win as a fantastic result.
"We don't have any clay courts so that in itself is a huge achievement and I'm really proud of her"
Dunser's winning form continued in the doubles, taking victory with Lyann Hoang of Queensland in straight sets over Nicole Hoynaski and Naomi Tran of New South Wales, 6-1 6-3.
The result now gives Dunser the opportunity to be selected to play for Australia next year in the 14s World Teams events.

At the completion of the event, Dunser paid special thanks to her coach Pat Coburn, the Northern Territory Institute of Sport and ISAS - Integrated Switchgear & Systems Pty Ltd,  who have been sponsoring Kassandra's travel since April.

Emily Webb also had an outstanding Nationals reaching the Round of 16 in the singles and the Quarterfinals in the doubles.

The Optus 12s Spring Nationals was held in Perth from the 4^th October. The Territory had Ben Lye and Lachlan Bates both win first round matches, before going down to the fifth and seventh seeds respectively.

Rohan Fisher Athlete Development Manager SA/NT will be presenting a Coaches Workshop in Darwin on Friday 7 November 11.00 am - 12.30 pm at the Tennis NT office.

The workshop is entitles "Darwin Athletes' Trends". 

Two Tennis Australia updating points will be allocated for attendance at this workshop.

Patrick McInerney from Tennis Australia Coach Education Department recently travelled to Darwin to present and pilot the new Trainee Coaching Course.

Potential coaches came from across the Northern Territory to take part in this new coaching initiative developed by Tennis Australia. The course saw a total of 21 Territorians take part in a four day coaching course, where they learnt the fundamental aspects to coaching. With the aim to increase our coaching fraternity so that regional and metro tennis can benefit from this up skilling of new coaches.

These participants will now have the chance to further their coaching qualification by taking part in the Junior Development Course which is scheduled for 2009.

Please contact Tennis NT on 08 8981 5609 for further information.

Entries are now open for the Optus 12s, 14s, 16s and 18s Australian Championships, to be held at Melbourne Park, the home of the Australian Open in December 2008.  This will be the first time that all Australian junior age championships have been held in succession at Melbourne Park. 

The events have been organised to allow for athletes to gain numerous competitive opportunities against the very best juniors in Australia.  The first week of the Championships will feature the Optus 14s & 18s Australian Championships, while the second week will feature the Optus 12s & 16s Australian Championships.  The second week will be highlighted with the Australian Open Play-off from December 15-21. 

Further information including fact sheets and online entry can be found in the Optus Junior Tour tab on the Tennis Australia website.

Do you play in Tennis NT sanctioned tournaments and events? Are you a registered player with Tennis NT?

Competitors who are not registered with Tennis NT will be denied entry into sanctioned tournaments and risk losing ranking points or prize money.

To register ask at the counter of your local club or directly with Tennis NT. Alternatively you could download an application form from our website.

Top Five                                                                                 

	Males			Females
1	Hrehan Hakeem	71	1	Ashlee Brown	99
2	Daniel Parker	138	2	Kassandra Dunser	105
3	Luke Bosio	144	3	Tarlina Tipungwuti	177
4	Nicholas Munro	225	4	Emily Webb	212
5	Jason Vieira	617	5	Matilda Hurst	233

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