Faith was selected for the Central West 12 and Under Tennis team after trials in Bathurst last weekend. She will be playing the best girls in her age in the Jan O’Neill Cup in March.

How long have you been playing tennis? Eight years.

Which club do you play for? Parkes Tennis Club.

What do you like about the sport? I get to play with my friends and I can always improve my skills. I really like my coach Helen Magill. She is always very helpful and supportive. She helps me improve my skills and be a better person.

What is the most difficult aspect of your sport? When I play tough opponents, but it’s always a good way to improve my skills.

What is your ultimate goal? To keep improving my skills so I can compete at higher levels and to keep having fun.

What is your proudest moment so far? Playing and training hard to make it into the Western Team – we played for a week in Inverell. Also playing well enough in the Junior Development Squad to play in The NSW Juniors Closed Championships.

It’s almost time to take a leap and fly again for the Parkes Christian School Senior Design and Technology class.

They have been busy planning and building their plane that will fly into the Yarra River on Sunday, 8th March at the Moomba Birdman Rally in Melbourne for the sixth time.

For the last five years they have won their categories and learned a lot about teamwork, engineering and the power of flight.

This will be the second year where participants in the school category can raise funds for themselves to help them build the flying machine and develop technology. Every dollar raised for their team will be points earned that will go towards the final score and could help lead them to victory again!

The Parkes Christian School team is counting on the local community to support them in this endeavour and they have a fundraising page at this link: https://birdmanrally2020.gofundraise.com.au/page/ParkesChristian

Donations can also be made directly at the school office on 6862 4164 until 4th March. The team’s progress and success can be followed on the school’s Facebook page.

A highlight on the Currajong Disability Services calendar is its annual All Abilities Swimming Carnival to be held at Parkes Aquatic Centre on 4th March.

Participants from Orange, Temora, Trangie, Dubbo, Cowra, Forbes, Bathurst and Parkes will compete in this flagship event. Last year’s event saw 120 entrants, and interest shown so far indicates this year will be bigger and better.

Organiser Indigo Kriedemann said the day was a real highlight on the regional disability calendar and many were already looking forward to it. “It’s a great event that brings together people far and wide within the disability community,” Indigo said.

“The day keeps growing and going from strength to strength. This year is already looking like a bumper carnival!”

In previous years Currajong has often dominated, however Live Better from Orange got the chocolates last year, despite sterling efforts in the pool by Ian Kaupke and Tim McDonald.

As Indigo points out, the day is not about who wins, but who is having a go, and “everyone coming together to connect and meet new friends and old ones”.

“It’s also a real social outing, and many of us get a buzz out of it!”

To register, call 02 6883 4713 or email indigo.kriedemann@currajong.org.au to confirm your organisation’s place in this blue chip event.

Ash Barty had a great summer of tennis and her tag is #playforyou, so in Term 1 Parkes Tennis are encouraging all teenage girls to get outside, get active and enjoy social sporting interaction.

Research and evidence shows that instead of running towards sport and the multitude of physical, social and emotional benefits it brings, teenage girls are walking away. We know taking a break from the stresses of study, and the screens, is vital for everyone’s wellbeing. So there’s many benefits for joining the Girls Only Tennis Program for 12-16 year olds. They can belong in an environment and culture that is inviting, friendly and makes them feel comfortable. It’s non-competitive, stress-free, fun and social and offers everyone activities both on and off-court with the aim to give the girls an opportunity for social interaction, improve their self-confidence and enjoy some great positive tennis and life experiences.

These girls may have come through the HotShots program a few years ago then dropped out, played at school sport or wanted to play and didn’t have the chance to. Head to the courts on Wednesdays 5:30-7pm. It will run for eight weeks from 12th February and the cost is $150. Great chance to use your Active Kids Vouchers. Can’t find their racquet or it looks too small now, no worries there’ll be racquets to borrow. Any girls who would like to be involved in this group please SMS Helen on 0407 253 888 or helenmagill@bigpond.com

Victoria Simpson’s brother had to accept the Junior Sportsperson of the Year award on Sunday for her as she was competing in Sydney and won the Oz Day 10K junior division in wheelchair racing.

Victoria excelled at athletics competing in discus, shotput, 100m, 200m and 800m events at the Combined Catholic Colleges and then at the State Championships.

At just 13 years old, Victoria was selected in the Under 25 AIS Wheelchair Basketball side in Canberra and competed at the international women’s wheelchair basketball competition. Her team won the silver medal – going down to the USA side.

Playing for the Kookaburra hockey team is a dream Sportsperson of the Year, Kurt Lovett, has had since year 4.

His mum Fiona discovered a school work sheet from year 4 asking what you want to do when you grow up. Kurt’s written response was to play for the Kookaburra hockey team.

“Dreams do come true,” said his dad John when accepting the award on Sunday as Kurt was in camp in Sydney with the Kookaburras playing Belgium last weekend and Great Britain this weekend.

“I know Kurt is very humble in winning this award, however he has worked extremely hard over the last four years in which he has finally been selected in the Australian Kookaburra hockey team, where he is now based in Perth,” said John.

Kurt had a few individuals he wanted to thank including George Sommers who coached him in his junior years of hockey, Laurie Wakefield who had a lot to do with coaching Kurt in his teenage years and representative hockey, and the Parkes Hockey Association who supported him for the last 18 years.

Senior Sportsperson or Team: Denise Gersbach (Hockey) and Maureen Massey (Hockey). Maureen won two gold medals, one for the Australian Over 65s side and the other with NSW. She was selected to play for Australia in the 2020 World Cup in South Africa. Denise represented Australia in the Over 45s side, and NSW at Nationals winning a silver medal. She also captained the Australian Over 45s indoor side winning a bronze medal in Hong Kong, and has been selected for the Australian Over 45s World Cup side.

Team of the Year: Parkes Public Boys Hockey team took out the NSW State Primary Schools competition winning 6-1 in the final.

Referee, Umpire or Official of the Year: Cody Reynolds (Touch Football) was inducted into the NSW Touch Association’s Talented Referee Youth Squad (TYRS) progressing to a state level 4 referee. He refereed Open Boys grand final at NSW Combined Catholic College (CCC) state championships. He was ranked first at the National Under 15 All School Touch Championships in Canberra, and officiated in the grand final.

Coach, Trainer or Manager of the Year: Josh Miles (Rugby League) led the Trundle Boomers Rugby League side to their third consecutive Woodbridge Cup grand final title in 2019.

Long Service and Dedication Award: Pat Drabsch, Pauline Nicholson, Val Glasheen and Lyn Pengilly (Parkes Tennis Club Canteen) are in their 31st season and have selflessly made a lifelong contribution to the Parkes community.

Administrator of the Year: Cherie John-stone (Junior Hockey) has been instrumental in successfully gaining State Championship allocations for Parkes Hockey. Cherie’s methods have been recognised by Hockey NSW who are now adopting the Parkes model for promotion to other associations.

Ron Harrison Sports Bursary: Henry Kross (Squash), Matty Price (Swimming) and Kyan Redfern (Karate).