RECENT strong performances have seen Gunnedah's Aaron Osmond secure a place on the NSW all schools tennis team.
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The St Mary's College student impressed during the team's qualifying tournament in Bathurst, losing just two matches on his way to claiming a place in the side.
Osmond will now line up alongside seven of the best school-aged tennis players in the state as they take on competitors from across Australia at the national championships in Adelaide.
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Osmond's coach Dale Martin told the Leader the honour was the result of Osmond's hard work.
"He's done really well to achieve this honour," Martin said.
"As far as I know Gabby O'Gorman might be the only other player from Gunnedah to have been named in the side, so it is a huge achievement."
The honour comes fresh off the heels of Osmond's latest achievement, finishing first at the NSW clay court championships.
"We have had a pretty good tradition of players from our region doing well at this tournament and Aaron has kept that going," Martin said.
"It can be a tough surface for our guys to play on given there are very few courts around in our region.
"However, Aaron was brilliant and should be really proud of his effort."
Martin said a commitment to working hard off the court had also contributed to Osmond's recent purple patch of success.
"I think the work he has been doing off the court with Maryanne Perkins has certainly helped Aaron take his game to the next level," Martin said.
"His fitness has really improved and I think it is really starting to show on the court.
"He has been working hard and thoroughly deserves this achievement."
Osmond will now turn his attention to tournaments in Victoria ahead of the nationals in May.
"Aaron will have three tournaments this month in Swan Hill, Bendigo and Albury," Martin said.
"Hopefully they should have him ready to go for the nationals in May.
"Aaron will be one of the younger players at the nationals so it should be really interesting to see how he goes."