One of the Burdekin Sugar Bowl’s most celebrated teams, the Teabags, have stood undefeated for over 16 years. Established in 2010, the team consists of 8 – 9 players spread across Queensland, with each member looking forward to their annual catch up in the Burdekin to reminisce on the past 12 months and make new memories.
“Our team’s success is credit to Kate Casswell, Steve Sunderland, Lex and Pat Anderson for all they have done, and it’s been great to see the Teabags boys turn from kids to fathers,” expressed Teabags’ captain, Bruce Butler.
“It’s good to see the captains each year like Scott Kittle, Andrew Casswell, Troy Debondi, and Will Fraser because it’s the teams that make the Sugar Bowl, and we’re all great friends on and off the court.”
Described as socialites within the tennis community, the Teabags stand as a team always bringing the laughs on and off the court whilst exuding exceptional A Grade tennis talent.
“When anyone gets to the high grades of any sports, players become very serious, and these fellas still take the Sugar Bowl seriously but also really make a social weekend out of the competition; they’re really good value and a top team,” explained Ayr Tennis Association president, Robert Slatcher.
One of the team’s founding members, Dallan Garvey, has been swinging his racquet with many of the Teabags since 2008.
“I’ve been playing with a lot of the guys since we were in the under 10s division, and we’re all best mates who’ve all known each other, and played tennis together for 20 years,” said Dallan.
“We all chat to each other at least once a week, and the Sugar Bowl is such a great chance to catch up, it’s what brings us all together again.”
Coming from all areas of the state, the Teabags cannot commit to team training in the lead up to the annual competition, and many of the members don’t pick up a racquet until the Sugar Bowl each year. However, they believe their continued success is owed to their comradery and friendship above all else.
“As much as it is tennis, we come back each year to have a beer with the boys and almost every year there’s a congratulations moment because someone has had a kid, and it’s just about getting all of us best mates together, and that’s really how we’ve been so successful,” expressed Dallan.
“You’re definitely there to win when you’re on the court, but it’s all just party hard, play harder.”
The Garvey Family who make up the Teabags Team. Photo supplied
