As hundreds of locals congregate around the expanses of Howe Park for this Saturday's SDCA grand final few will take notice of those competing on the adjacent tennis courts. But they should.
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Because it is here where you will find teenage sensation Adam Walters practicing with his coach Gary Brenton.
The Merewether based 16-year-old has enjoyed a successful summer under the wing of his mentor; competing across the grasscourts of Victoria from Albury-Wodonga to Warrnambool.
He then brought his form back to our region when making the ANZ Newcastle Silver AMT & Gold JT 16 & U boys final (only to go down to Canberra's Charlie Snow 6-3 0-6 2-6).
"We did a little business model of what we need to work on, what let us down and what we did well over the summer; that leads to the process of setting up for tournaments," Brenton explained.
While the 175cm tall Walters hopes to emulate the physicality, forehand and backhand of his idol in Novak Djokovic the gracious rising star continues to pay tribute to his coach after each training session.
"I've been with Gary for over two years now and he goes above and beyond," Walters said.
"That's not to say my other coaches weren't valuable to my development but Gary put it to me and asked if I want to put in 100% because he was prepared to do so.
"Now I actually stay at his place on a Friday night so we can have a hit in the evening and then train for all of Saturday.
"He (Brenton) gives a lot and I give a lot back and its working well."
