MORE than 350 students took to the oval at Faith Lutheran College Redlands' junior campus in a record-breaking school tennis extravaganza.
Queensland's largest intra-school tennis day took place at the Victoria Point campus on Tuesday, with 353 students from prep to Year 6 taking part.
The school oval was split into 80 mini courts, with students competing to win the Ash Barty Cup for their house, named after the Ipswich player and world number one.
Fed Cup player Kim Birrell presented the trophies to the House captains at the end of the day.
Faith physical education teacher Steve O'Carroll said the day had been six years in the making.
"Tennis has been our Sporting Schools focus ... for many years, usually culminating with sending many teams to the District Red Ball competition," he said.
"Since we couldn't go to the tennis this year, we thought that we would bring tennis to the school and run our own competition, to create an opportunity for our kids to be active, engage in healthy competition and generate a love for the game of tennis."
Redland Bay Tennis coach Tim Low said the students had a ball.
"The excitement around the school is nothing I have ever experienced, and these students would be some of the friendliest kids I have ever worked with," he said.
"This is the first time Faith Lutheran College or myself have attempted a tennis carnival of this size and we have soon found out there was hours and hours of behind the scenes work to make it happen.
The south-east had several local tennis role models models like Barty, Birrell, Priscilla Hon and John Millman.
Mr Low said tennis could aid children's social and emotional development and help them develop important life skills.
"It's not about winning, its about working as a team and using those team-building and negotiation skills we all need in life," he said.
Tennis Queensland chief executive Mark Handley said he was impressed with the ambition shown by everyone involved.
"I am confident that life-long memories will be created for students, staff and coaches during this massive tennis event," he said.
"I applaud all that have a hand in organizing the gala day and it shows, even in this period where we all have to take extra precautions under COVID-19 protocols, tennis is a safe sport for all ages to enjoy."
