JACKSON Cheney, a Year 9 student at Bishop Druitt College, has been selected to represent regional NSW at the 2026 US Connect Training Camp.
The camp will run from 12–30 September at the John Newcombe Tennis Academy in Texas, USA.
The training camp embodies a ‘Team-Family-Team’ philosophy, encouraging athletes to build camaraderie and leadership while preparing for the rigorous demands of collegiate tennis.
It brings together the top junior tennis players from regional New South Wales and Victoria, providing them with an opportunity to train in a world-class academy environment and experience firsthand the demands of international-level tennis.
Players will follow a full-time high-performance training schedule and develop their technical, tactical, physical and mental skills with international coaches.
The camp will also include visits to American universities, including Texas State and Trinity.
Jackson is part of Bishop Druitt College’s High Performance Program, which supports students competing at elite levels while balancing their academic studies.
Program head Nat Titcume said Jackson’s selection reflects his dedication to training and competition.
“This opportunity will give Jackson valuable international experience and help expand his future pathways in tennis and education,” she said.
Jackson first picked up a tennis racquet in Year 3, around five and a half years ago, at the Sawtell Tennis Club.
He attended primary school with Oakley Baylis, the son of tennis coach Eli Baylis, who was the first person to suggest he give tennis a try.
Since then, Jackson has been training at the Baylis Tennis Academy at Sawtell Tennis Club, where he now dedicates four afternoons a week to training, along with tournaments on weekends and during school holidays.
By Kate PYE
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