In January Chilee will travel to Adelaide to represent NSW at the national Australia-Made Foundation Cup.

The Cup gives children 13 and under from rural and regional Australia the opportunity to compete nationally, without worrying about cost and travel constraints.

Chilee travels up to 1,000 kilometres each week for training and tournaments, training in Nowra and Sydney and attending tournaments as far away as Bathurst.

The Year 7 student from St Johns Nowra says her favourite player is Serena Williams, who she hopes to join one day on the professional circuit.

“I either want to become a professional tennis player or study at university,” she said.

“I have now started doing a little training in the gym to prepare for Adelaide, so I can get my fitness up for the hot conditions at the Cup.”

Chilee first began playing tennis at the age of four, then started playing competitively as an eight-year-old with her career highlight being part of the NSW State champion team at the Jan O’Neill Cup in March this year.

Like any Mum, Lisa Roland is extremely proud of what her daughter has  achieved in tennis at such a young age.

“There is a lot of commitment behind it, lots of training that has gone on continuously since the age of four,” she said.

“Miles and miles of travel and additional schooling.”

Ms Roland believes there is a number of benefits for Chilee from her tennis.

“I think the sport has really developed her as a person through the life skills that come with all the commitment.

“It is something I am really proud of.”

Tennis NSW CEO Alistair Macdonald is excited for what the NSW state team can achieve at the tournament.

“The Australian Made Foundation Cup is a fantastic event and it is a great achievement for all the NSW players selected.

I know they will all be looking forward to the competition in January and we wish all the players the best of luck.”