mmg.com.au

Kialla Park Tennis Club will host the first Junior Development Series tournament in the Goulburn Region on Sunday.

JDS events do not earn players Australian Ranking Points, but Keystone Tennis Summer JDS tournament administrator Carla Ralph said it was still a vital pathway.

‘‘It’s about time we had a JDS in place, because it’s really important for the kids’ development and player pathway — being right under the Tennis Victoria umbrella,’’ Ralph said.

‘‘The three main things the (Tennis Australia) coach and talent development team typically look at are JDS results, Goulburn Region results, how kids go in Masters (Series events) and for the region and then in the Optus Junior Tour.

‘‘They’re your sanctioned events, so it’s just important we put that third element up here and give them every chance to put themselves forward.’’

Shepparton Lawn’s Goulburn Valley Junior Tennis Championships, which is in January, is the only OJT tournament in the Goulburn Region.

Ralph said entries were capped at 80 because of the limitations at a 10-court facility, but there was still time for players to enter.

The age groups are nine-and-under, 10-and-under and 12-and-under and it is a singles-only round-robin event.

There will be further JDS tournaments this year at Kialla Park on May 26 and August 26, while Benalla Lawn Tennis Club will host a JDS event on November 10.

There will be an 11-and-under age group at Benalla on top of the three at Kialla Park, as well as doubles in the 10-and-under and 12-and-under age brackets.

‘‘The 12-and-under boys is the largest section — like it is with most tournaments — whereas the nine and 10-and-unders are kids just starting to play tournaments,’’Ralph said.

‘‘It’s really going to be a big development focus for them and making sure they’re assisted on court.

‘‘The 12-and-unders will be a good one to watch, because there are a few kids who play in the Master Series who have put their names in it, so that’s really good.’’

Play begins on Sunday at 9am for the nine and 10-and-under age groups and at noon for the 12-and-unders.

Draws will be released on the Tennis Victoria website today.

Phone Carla Ralph on 0407 476 041 for information on entering Sunday’s JDS tournament. The entry cut-off time is tomorrow at 3 pm.