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Carrum Downs scores new playing field A NEW regional training hub is set to be built at the Carrum Downs Recreation Reserve for local clubs and school groups which will include a new synthetic oval. Victorian Sports Minister John Eren and Carrum Labor MP Sonya Kilkenny announced on Wednesday 24 January a $500,000 commitment towards the project as part of the Carrum Downs Recreation Reserve Redevelopment. The multipurpose synthetic sports facility will cater to a range of codes including Australian Rules football, cricket and soccer. Southern United Football Club – who have an elite level team in the Women’s National Premier League as well as five other female teams – will call the hub home. The $2.2 million redevelopment of the reserve, which Frankston Council is contributing $1.7 million towards, will also deliver a central cricket wicket, sports field lighting, fencing and various line markings. Mr Eren said the new training facility will open up new doors for clubs and reduce the wear and tear on other local grounds.
“This community loves their sport and participation is growing. That’s why we’re making sure local clubs in Carrum Downs have the facilities they need to play in all conditions,” Eren said. The mayor Cr Colin Hampton welcomed the announcement saying the synthetic surface will revolutionise the playing and training experience for sporting clubs, especially with the high demand for female and junior participation. “We know that improving local sports infrastructure helps build stronger, healthier and more connected communities and increases participation amongst children and adults alike,” he said. “This is an exciting time for sports and recreation within Frankston City, with part of the Carrum Downs Recreation Reserve refurbishments already completed or underway and further improvements to come in the future.” The announcement follows the $700,000 sale of the old Carrum Downs Memorial Hall which was redirected towards the new $4 million multipurpose pavilion.
Celebration: The Carrum Downs Recreation Reserve receives funding for new synthetic playing field. Picture: Frankston Community Noticeboard
Riley reaches world’s junior top 10 By Ben Triandafillou WHEELCHAIR tennis player Riley Dumsday has broken into the top 10 world junior boy’s rankings after taking out the Melbourne Open the week before last. The Mornington Elite Tennis Academy junior pushed through the scorching conditions at the Hume Community Tennis Centre to win the under-18 boys singles and finish runners-up in the mixed doubles. Riley, 12, is now ranked 10th in the world and said he was really happy to win the tournament but even happier to have ticked off one of his main goals for the year. “I’m really happy to make it into the top 10,” he said. “It was one of my goals that I made at the end of last year and I was able to do it after my first tournament for the year. “The weather was really hot, it was in the 40s and high 30s but I think I coped fairly well.” Mornington Elite Tennis Academy director Kate Antosik said she was stoked to see Riley have a great week
at the Melbourne Open. “The coaching team at Elite Tennis Academy Mornington are very proud of Riley,” she said. “Not only in his results from this tournament but also for breaking into the top 10 junior wheelchair players in the world. It is exciting times ahead
for Riley.” In the same week another Mornington Elite Tennis Academy junior, Emmerson Priest, won her first singles title on the Australian Ranking Junior Tour. Emmerson competed at the 2018 Mornington JT Bronze January tourna-
ment held at the Mornington Tennis Centre and won the 12 and under singles against Western Australian top seed Talia Edgar (4-6 6-4 11-9) as well as the 12 and under doubles with partner Amelia Zylberman (1-6 7-6 10-8). Antosik, who is also Emmerson’s personal coach, said it was great to see Emmerson’s hard work and training pay off with her results in the tournament. “It is a huge milestone to be winning tournaments after only beginning to compete on the Australian Junior Tour less than 12 months ago,” Antosik said. “I promised her that if she won a tournament by the end of the Summer Season I would give her four new rackets and she won the last tournament of the summer. “This is the first singles tournament that Emmerson and I have won since working together and I am excited to see what 2018 brings for her.” Rising stars: Mornington tennis players Riley Dumsday, left, and Emmerson Priest, right, celebrate their victories. Pictures: Supplied
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Mornington News
30 January 2018