Melbourne, Australia.  Jan12-14, 2007

Maldini and Di Cori in Action at Sth Melbourne

Whilst Melbourne was preparing for and receiving some of the world's best hard court tennis players, South Melbourne Beach was host to the 1st Australian International Beach Tennis Championships.  Thanks to all our International athletes, making the journey to Australia to support and compete at the inaugural Australian Championships.  It was a pleasure to host them and have them see the spirit and passion of beach tennis here in Australia.

The beach was graced by some of the world's best from Italy, France and Portugal, and not to forget the raw and new Aussie talents.  Pioneers of sorts and passionate journeymen and women of a very different, but skillful sport of beach tennis, adding some spice to the sand and enthralling the passers by and spectators at their unique talents and athleticism.

After week long practise sessions and opportunities for players to see and practice against their overseas counterparts, it was game on!

Day 1.  would see our juniors take the court and provide some great of mums and dads passing by, as to how to get their kids playing.  C;mon kids all you have to do is come to the beach, and we'll teach you to play and who knows, make a world champion out of you!  At least a local legend!

The double trouble of local duo, saw Matt Nicol and Alex Holdsworth hold out Connor Danaher and Ryan McGhien what was an epic tiebreaker coming back from the dead, to take out the Open Junior Doubles.  12 and under, saw a round robin event, which saw new players and lots of natural talent on show.  The eventual winner would see Lachlan de Burgh, take the kings spot with Briana O'Brien a close second, edging out the tenancious Yianni Christopoulos and classy Eliza de Burgh.

Open Singles saw the West versus the Bayside in a stoush of attacking and creative play.  However it was the west that ruled supreme, with Connor Danaher taking the gold in a unrelenting pressure cooked tiebreaker to win 6-5.

Day 2.  The men's draw was full, and with a sprinkling of home grown talent, was sure to provide an element of surprise and a spectacle of fine competition and sportsmanship.  With the Italians keen to further their grip on this international game, they fielded 2 very strong combinations of players, all national representatives, and holding world champions at some time in the past 2 years.

The winds of the Melbourne prevailed, and posed some tricky but testing conditions.  The Mens Open was littered with quality, but with the human Aeroplance, Maurizio Di Cori, would take the first Aussie title, showing consistency and skill in the wind, would see him triumph over Alan Maldini.  Local pinup boy and ATP Ranked player Robbie "The Rock" Haybittel would sneak up the draw, and finish 3rd, defeating Bertrand Coulet (3rd at 2006 Worlds) Paulo Tronchi of Italy.  Truly great matches to watch.

The Women's event would see Tina Bianchi, current Sandfly representative in local talent, dispose all in her path, finally defeating Marta Peralta of Portugal in the final to take out the title.  Other credible performance were that of Anna "Twinkle Toes" Brown who added the right amount of grunt and intensity on the day, to slot in to 3rd place.

Over 35's men saw the might of Maurizio Di Cori of Italy, prove too much for the french finnesse of Bertrand Coulet, who found difficulty in the windy conditions.  Local beach tennis brickwall Dean Metcher, flew the flag for the Aussie's finishing third.

The mixed saw 'the Aussies' finishing in number 1,2 and 3 position with the James Knaggs and Kim Davis taking the title having to fight their way back in the elimination draw.  Great effort!

Women's Singles

1.  Tina Bianchi AUS
2.  Marta Peralta PORTUGAL

3.  Anna Brown AUS

Men's Singles

1.  Maurizio Di Cori ITA

2.  Alan Maldini ITA

3.  Robbie Haybitel AUS

Over 35 Men's Masters

1.  Maurizio Di Cori ITA

2.  Bertrand Coulet FRA

3.  Dean Metcher  AUS

Mixed Doubles

1.  James Knaggs/Kim Davis (AUS)

2.  Mick Mulcahy/Tina Bianchi (AUS)

3.  Anna Brown/Paul Mapley (AUS)

Day 3. Blue Ribbon Doubles day.  The day that we all had been waiting for a day that would define our progress and one that will give us a chance to have a crack at the internationals, at competition level.  One that all our players are hungry for, and one that will see a greater player base form that will see the spread of competition on Australian soil, so as to provide a great national intiative.

Oliver Statham: Almost Local Legend!

In brief

Men's Open Doubles

1.  Maurizio Di Cori/Alan Maldini (ITA)

2.  Massimo Mattei/ Paulo Tronchi (ITA)

3.  Ruben Statham/ Paul Mapley (AUS)

Women's Open Doubles

1. Kim Davis/Tina Bianchi (AUS)

2. Ana Noro/Marts Peralta (PORT)

3.  Muriel Coulet (FRA)/Anna Brown (AUS)

Men's Over 35 Doubles

1.  Paulo Tronchi/Maurizio Di Cori (ITA)

2.  Jeff Quilici/Bertrand Coulet (FRANCE)

3.  Dean Metcher/Paul Mapley (AUS)

The spirit of all events in both the mens and women's draw was evident and defining the reason why we are passionate, and love the game of beach tennis.  Well done to all who competed and special thanks to those who made the tournaments an iconic event, that will see the sport progress.

Go to the mapley website www.mapleybeachtennis.com and see all the points and photos from the event and do your bit for beach tennis, get out there and play!

See www.mapleybeachtennis.com for a more comprensive report. 

Be involved in a first of many national, local tournaments and events that will elevate the sport to greater heights.

Volunteers, always welcome.  If you have some time to give around any event and would like to be involved, contact us and we would be happy to welcome you on board.

Start practicing today!  Over the coming months, we will be promoting and marketing to schools, clubs and sporting organisations.  Don't forget the World Champs in Italia, in August, 2007.

We hope to see you on the sand, for what will be something truly grand!

Supporters & Partners

With the support and participation, we would like to offer the potential to a weekly graded social competition.

Mapley Beach Tennis is proud to announce that it will host a number of programs in the coming months. The potential of a 5 week team competition will incorporate, men and women in a mixed and social format.  Contact Kellie to express your interest, once we have enough interest we will implement a date.  kellie@beachtennis.com.au.

What a great opportunity for business houses to enter as a team, or individuals to enter a more formal way of trying to better their game and skills in a highly social and fun environment. Teams will be made up of 2 men and 2 women and will feature a singles, doubles, mixed played by all players. Teams will be graded based upon ability. Matches will commence on time and be completed in approx 1 1/4 hours, due to the fast moving and scoring systems adopted.  Courts will be availiable before and after play for further practice.

And KIDS, don’t forget, matches and fun games for children 10 and over start at 4:30, until 5:30 at a cost $5 per player.

We hope to see you there and come together to join the   

Beach Tennis Tribe!!

Any enquiries contact Kellie on 0411 485 511 or email kellie@beachtennis.com.au

Register online for competitions at: www.mapleybeachtennis.com

Sponsorship and Supporters of the 2007 Championships

Thanks to the sponsors of the 2007 Australian International Beach Tennis Championship.

Special thanks to:

Frank Gordon Real Estate

Looking to rent, looking to buy, FRANK's your guy!

Supporting Grassroots sport and local communities.

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Melbourne Supper Club and The European.

Thanks to Con and Jo Christopoulos for your support and player party.  It was a great night! Thnaks to the staff and Rufino and Alfie.

South Melbourne Life Saving Club

The home of beach tennis in Australia and supporter and provided of facilities and first aid.

Nudie Juices

For all those who Nuded up, over the event, it was great.  We have we have their continue support and look forward to keeping healthy and fit the nudie way.

RBAR

Restaurant and Bar of Port Melbourne.  To Di, Phil and Belinda for supporting beach tennis and opening their doors for our International visitors.

Coastal Watch

For their ongoing support and multi media

Sport The Library, the official photographers Courtney Jeff and Emily of the 2007 Australian International Beach Tennis Championship.

Chaos Industries and Sixbucksforty Clothing

Official apparrel of the 2007 Champs

Bay Street, Port Melbourne

Thanks Marty and Duncan

DJ Paul Lazar

Spinning Vinyls of latest Beach House on the Saturday/Sunday.  For your DJ needs contact 0423 876 701

Kamel Restaurant

To Nigel and Mindy supporting local sport and community spirit.

It was great to see those businesses and services get behind the belief and support the passion of ground level and grassroots sport.  People like this will ensure that beach tennis has its place in Australian life.

Thanks to you all, and we look forward to having you on board in 2007 for a journey of tribal proportions, and vision.

Special Thanks

With the many great performances at the recent Australian Championships it would not have been possible without the generous support of volunteers and tournaments organisers and staff, and their families.  Thanks to all those who made the event what it was, and have left a great experience in all the minds of those who competed and took part.

Beach Tennis Apparel

Did you miss out on your official Tournament shirt, ORDER NOW.  Get your essential beach tennis shirts and tops, that identify that "YOU" are a supporter and player of the game!

Available in many colors and designs, long sleeve and short.  Men's and women's and kid sizes.  We aim to make a shirt that you will be proud to wear, on and off the court.  See web for prices and more designs

HOT OF THE PRESS!  Beach Tennis Equipment

Just when you thought, someone had everything!

New 2007 Mapley models: 

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The wahine Hot Pink and happening!  And the big Kahuna!!  Cool and Stylish

Get yours today.  Make the difference in your game, Endorsed by the AFBT & IFBT.

Ask Paul or Kellie, if you can demo a racquet, and you can buy your new racquet at the beach!

Get your hands on a Mapley racquet today.

Take advantage of great introductory price of $80 + GST

Mapley Sword, Surfer and Grommet models all $70 + GST

Sales and Equipment:

Contact Paul on 0418 522008

Or visit our website to check out our range of beach tennis equipment