Sovereign Superstars Winners Found

Sovereign Superstars Winners Found

Sovereign Superstars 2009 concluded today at the Heineken Open with both boys and girls competitions going to the wire.

In the girls a count back was required to separate all three in the competition after each won one game in the round robin.

The points favoured Claudia Williams (Auckland) by just the two points, despite being beaten 10-7 by Shaani Temata-Frost in her final game. Temata-Frost needed to restrict Williams to 4 points or less in order to win the title and with an early lead of 7-2 looked every chance.

Williams was delighted to overcome her early nerves.

“I am really happy to win overall but obviously would rather have won the game to get the title. I was really nervous early on knowing I had to get to 5 points to at least share the trophy so it was a big relief when I scored 6. This has been a wonderful experience, I have loved every minute of it. Meeting some top players and getting to ask them questions was really cool.”

Temata-Frost soon overcame her disappointment at just missing the overall win.

“This has been really cool and the best thing for me has been getting more confidence on and off court. My dream is to one day be a professional like these players.”

Suwanaposee was equally enthused.

“Sovereign Superstars has been so much fun. To stay at the hotel, fly to the tournament and experience tennis with umpires and ball kids has been great. For sure I want to one day be on the tour and play professionally.”

In the boys it came down to the third clash between Niko Vulinovich and Arapeta Collier-Waiomio in the absence of the injured Ben Johnston. The two had shared their earlier clashes before meeting for a third and deciding time when Vulinovich won out in a tight match 10 – 8.

Vilunovich was thrilled to win.

“The whole experience has been great and to win is cool. It just confirms for me my tennis dreams, one day I want to be top ten in the world.”

Collier-Waiomio enjoyed his time at Sovereign Superstars too.

“The best thing for me I think was staying at the hotel and being treated like a professional player. I have learned so much and especially from James (Greenhalgh) who has helped us each day.”

The unlucky Ben Johnston was a spectator for the two days but nonetheless enjoyed his time courtside.

“It was frustrating not being able to play but I enjoyed the whole experience. I got to go on radio and do some interviews and meet some great players. I want to go to College in the States and from there continue my tennis career.”

Sovereign Marketing Communications Manager Richard Allen was delighted with the players and the way they performed during the week.

“The delight on the faces of the children and the sense of pride shown by their parents watching them play on centre court is great reward in itself. Sovereign Superstars is all about a unique, money can't buy experience that the children will remember for a lifetime and possibly lead to a full time professional tennis career.

“Thanks also to the mentoring of NZ Davis Cup captain James Greenhalgh the players learn so much in their two days with us. From experiencing staying in the tournament hotel, to VIP transport, to meeting professional players and of course the actual playing of the tennis on centre court in front of a big crowd, Sovereign is proud to be a part of such a positive experience for some of our young up and coming players.”

The Sovereign Superstars brings together the best young players in the country for a ‘money can’t buy’ experience as they live life like a touring professional for a few days. The players and a parent stay in the official tournament hotel, travel by VIP transport and play on centre court live on television with ball kids, umpires and all the trimmings.

Day One Results (each game a super tie break, first to ten)
Pang Suwanaposee 10 Shanni Temata-Frost 5
Niko Vulinovich 7 Arapeta Collier-Waiomio 10
Claudia Williams 10 Pang Suwanaposee 5
Day Two Results
Niko Vulinovich 10 Arapeta Collier-Waiomio 5
Claudia Williams 7 Shanni Temata-Frost 10
Arapeta Collier-Waiomio 8 Niko Vulinovich 10

Girls
Pang Suwanaposee Christchurch
Shanni Temata-Frost Palmerston North
Claudia Williams Auckland
Boys
Ben Johnston Christchurch
Arapeta Collier-Waiomio Hamilton
Niko Vulinovich Auckland

ENDS

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