Three tennis team members qualify for Oceania Junior C’ships

THREE national junior tennis team members have qualified for the Pacific Oceania Junior Championships later this year after triumphing in the recent West Pacific Regional Championships in Lautoka, Fiji.
The Papua New Guinea Tennis Association fielded a team of 14 junior athletes under coaches Eddie Mera and Abigail Tere-Apisah.
Christopher Kaiulo, Michaela Mesa and Pauline Hyun will represent PNG and West Pacific in the Pacific Oceania Junior Championships.
Tere-Apisah, who made her coaching debut in the tournament, told The National that she was impressed with how the team carried themselves all tournament.
“We had a great week of tennis from all our players with so many positives taken away from our losses,” she said.
“I’m so proud of our players.
“Christopher, Michaela and Pauline qualified for the Under-16s.
“They will represent West Pacific and PNG in the Pacific Oceania Junior Championships later this year.
“We had a couple of finalists and medals winners in the regional championships last week.
“Pauline did well in the U14 singles as well as the U14 doubles with Nepheline Akinu Leah. Christopher and Michael Manolis were the U16 doubles runners-up.
“Michaela finished fourth and Christopher finished third in the U16 singles.
“Michaela was also given the best sportsmanship award.”
Apisah said while her debut as a coach was challenging, she was grateful for the support she received from Mera and the rest of the team.
“It was a rewarding and challenging experience,” she said.
“It’s new to me because there’s a lot of things outside of the tennis court, organising transportation, meals and hotels.
“When I was playing on tour, I had to do all those things, but I think the challenging part was doing it for a bigger group.
“But I have Eddie and a few parents, so we all shared the load.
“It’s great that I get to share my knowledge with youngsters.
“It’s also good to sit on the sidelines and do whatever I can to help the children play to the best of their abilities. I enjoyed the experience.
“The kids made it easier for me, they listened and wanted to compete. I hope it’s the first coaching experience of many to come.”