COBDOGLA’S Sophie Nettle has been announced as the winner of the 2019/20 Riverland Lawn Tennis Association Darnley Taylor Sportsmanship Award.
The 13-year-old was a key part in Cobdogla’s division one premiership win this season, as she finished as the competition’s most outstanding women’s player, while also being named top women’s number one.
Sophie’s father Shane Nettle, who is a stalwart of the Cobdogla Tennis Club, said his daughter was “incredibly proud” to win the award.
“Our family had a lot to do with Darnley, especially Mum and Dad and I played against Darnley when I was probably 16 or 17,” he said.
“He was a great ambassador for Riverland tennis and a great person that we all looked up to.
“Sophie realises the significance of it when she talks to her grandparents about Darnley.
“It is a great honour, but just a pity with the way the season ended because it would have been nice to have it presented in front of her peers.”
Shane pinpointed one particular key to what he described as “a really good season” for Sophie.
“She probably hit for two months during winter this year as well as playing netball and really that gets the kids up and running,” he said.
“We had a group of about 17 or 18 kids that hit throughout the winter and it really helped develop their tennis.
“It really benefited her tennis hitting with kids from around the Riverland over the off-season with John (Pick) and myself.”
Shane said Sophie is well-placed to further pursue tennis if she chooses.
“She is really keen about her tennis and she obviously enjoys it,” he said.
“She really enjoys being part of the club and Riverland tennis.
“She’s not overly committed and if they want to be any good they probably have to start training six days a week and that is something for her to consider now when she looks at where she wants to go with it.
“As far as women’s tennis goes she is probably at a pretty good stage at her age level within the state and definitely in the Riverland.
“She has got the levers, is quite rangy and is a good ball striker.”
Shane also highlighted Sophie’s work around the Cobdogla Tennis Club.
“She is a great role model for the younger kids,” he said.
“Most of the kids at Cobby work with the younger kids with mentoring and I think that is why we have so many kids stay in the game because of the really strong relationships that they build.”