Judy Dalton Cup at Sale Tennis Club
Sale Tennis Club will host the Judy Dalton Cup on the weekend of October 29 and 30.
The Judy Dalton Cup is a Regional Teams competition providing the opportunity for the best 13 and Under girls from rural Victoria to compete against each other while representing their region. Although tennis is largely an individual sport this event gives players the enjoyment of playing within a supportive team environment.
We will have competing teams from Barwon, Central Gippsland, Central Highlands, Goulburn, Loddon Campaspe, Mornington Peninsula, North East, Northern Mallee, South West, Wimmera and of course our own East Gippsland region.
The event is named after Judy Dalton, the former Australian professional tennis player who won nine major doubles titles and completed the career Grand Slam in women's doubles. Five of her doubles titles were with Margaret Court. She reached the final at Wimbledon in 1968, where she lost to Billie Jean King in two tight sets. Dalton reached a career-high singles ranking of No.7 in 1968, the same year she reached the Wimbledon final. She was also a member of Australia’s winning Fed Cup teams in 1965 and 1970. She finished her career with an 18-4 win-loss record in the competition.
Her greatest legacy to women’s tennis was her part in the Original 9. Dalton was one of nine female players who broke away from the tennis establishment to form their own tour to protest the inequality on prize money and support in comparison to their male counterparts. This paved the way for the formation of the WTA. In retirement, Dalton remained active in promoting women in tennis as President of the Australian Fed Cup Foundation.
Our local East Gippsland team will be made up of Mia Goold from Sale Tennis Club, Anna Banson and Bella Prince from Bairnsdale Tennis Club and Paige Hosford from Heyfield Tennis Club.
Spectators are invited to watch the event over the October 29 and 30 weekend. Entry is free and a canteen will operate.
Photo: Sale Tennis Club junior Mia Goold in action.