Tennis
Age Eligibility, and Participating States and TerritoriesSchool Sport Australia Exchange
(12 years of age and under)
ACT NSW NT QLD SA TAS VIC -
School Sport Australia Championship
(19 years of age and under)
ACT NSW NT QLD - TAS VIC WA
Rules and Guidelines
- School Sport Australia Tennis Exchange (The Bruce Cup)
- School Sport Australia Tennis Championship (The Pizzey Cup)
Primary Tennis Exchange - "The Bruce Cup"
The Bruce Cup was presented by the Hon HA Bruce, MLA, a former Minister of education in Queensland, for interstate Primary schools' tennis competition.. The first series of matches were played in 1938 between Queensland and new South Wales. With the exception of the war years 1939-1945 and two other occasions when industrial difficulties prevented travel, the Bruce Cup competition has been continuous.
Many players who were later to win Wimbledon and become amongst the finest players in the world had their first representative matches playing for their state in the Bruce Cup. Ken Rosewall defeated Roy Emerson in 1948 and met his future wife Wilma McIvor, a Queensland team member. Rod Laver, arguably one of the greatest tennis players ever, represented Queensland in the Bruce Cup, as did Robyn Ebbern, later to win the Ladies Doubles at Wimbledon with Margaret Court. Lew Hoad, Jan Lehane, Fred Stolle, John Alexander, Phil Dent, Gail Sherriff and Wally Masur all represented their state in the Bruce Cup.
More recently, past Bruce Cup participants Jason Stoltenberg, Pat Rafter, Mark Woodforde, Todd Woodbridge, Mark Phillipousis, Andrew Ille, Rachel McQuillan and Evie Dominokovic have all performed with distinction on the international scene.
It is almost certain that Mr Bruce, who loved all childrens' sport would surely be pleased to see how the competition has developed to include five states and both the Australian Capital Territory and the Northern Territory. The Bruce Cup now provides the beginning for many children, not only to be part of a sporting, educational and social experience, but to start them on a journey of opportunity and international fame.
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