Newcastle federal MP Sharon Grierson also presented the Hunter Commonwealth Sporting Achievement Awards.

Receiving these awards is a great honour, especially in the Hunter region with its proud history of sporting excellence.

In the School Sports Awards, tennis was quite prominent with Maddison Blick of Adamstown, Zoe Barton of Maitland, and Rene Boyton of Muswellbrook receiving monthly awards.

A highlight of the presentation was the recognition of the Hunter Academy of Sport chief executive officer Ken Clifford for his outstanding contribution to sport in the Hunter region.

Ken has been the one and only chief execut-ive officer of Australia’s leading regional academy for 20 years and combined with the many other contributions he has and continues to make to sporting organisations in our region; he is an absolute sporting icon in the Hunter.

He richly deserves this award.

Congratulations to the String Quintet team of Gina Williams, Lyn James, Carolyn Nicholls, and Georgina Armstrong for winning the Lake Macquarie Tennis Centre’s Thursday Ladies Midweek competition.

Gina, Lyn, Carolyn, and Georgina domin-ated throughout the competition finishing ahead of the Avengers of Lyn Franks, Kim Tate, Camilla Harrison, and Vanessa Whiting, who played strongly week in week out.

The ladies show their love of the game and dedication by starting the next competition immediately, hitting off this week.

International tennis is fast approaching our shores so look out for some exciting tennis and shock results.

It is the year of the comeback for the women with our own Alicia Molik joining Kim Clijsters and Justine Henin as potential stars during the summer.