Ashton McLeod will play his first Australia Clay Court Nationals tournament in Canberra on April 6.
The rising star from Yarramundi, who attends St Thomas Aquinas Primary, is coached by his dad Andrew McLeod at Springwood World of Tennis at Springwood Tennis Club. He also receives coaching from Lleyton Hewitt's sister Jaslyn Hewitt at Homebush, and has been training once a week on clay for the past seven weeks.
Due to the unpredictable nature of the bounce on clay, Ashton's been practicing being lightning fast on his feet.
"You are moving into the ball because the bounce is weird on clay," Ashton said.
The 11-year-old trains five days a week and says he loves "playing, competing and having fun".
"I want to go pro, that's my dream," Ashton, who's been playing tennis since age four, said.
He looks up to Roger Federer - "I like his volleys" - and fellow left-hander Rafael Nadal for the way he hits the ball.
Tennis has taken him around Australia to various state-based and national tournaments.
In January he captained NSW to victory over South Australia at a national tournament. In February, Ashton was one of the top 15 boys in Australia in his age group (under 12s) selected to attend the Davis Cup and a national training camp. "I learnt a lot from watching the pros play," he said.
His top four ranking in Australia in his age group has landed him a year's sponsorship from Tecnifibre, who supply him with racquets.
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20 May 2025
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Another day full of fun, challenge and team work. Just a few snaps from the high ropes and giant swing today.![459854762807679_1289902543136226-1]()
20 May 2025
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Year 6 had a great night and already off and running. Looking like a beautiful day. A few more photos from yesterday and a lovely view this morning.
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20 May 2025
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Another day full of fun, challenge and team work. Just a few snaps from the high ropes and giant swing today.
20 May 2025
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Year 6 had a great night and already off and running. Looking like a beautiful day. A few more photos from yesterday and a lovely view this morning.
19 May 2025
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And we’re off. Year 6 left this morning on camp to The Collaroy Centre where they will learn together about cooperation, mateship and team building. They’ve arrived safely and are already into their first activity.
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Many of our students featuring on the Catholic Schools Parramatta Diocese page for National Walk Safely to School Day!!
16 May 2025
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16 May 2025
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Walk Safely to School Day! Today was Walk Safely to School Day. Despite the weather, many families took the opportunity to walk to school. The day is an opportunity to promote safety while being a pedestrian and the importance of an active, healthy lifestyle. #activekidssta #walksafelytoschool
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🎾🎾🎾🎾Move over Alex De Minaur, STA has our very own surprise packet climbing the ranks! Dustin Mcleod of year 4 last week battled it out at Bathurst in the NSWPSSA competition as a member of the MacKillop team . Dustin moved from 5th to 3rd in his team due to teammate injuries where 6 sets a day and 7am starts were in force. After some very tough matches, Dustin’s team finished in 8th place! What an amazing experience you have had and well done on achieving such a high level of success. We look forward to seeing you in action again very soon no doubt…Congratulations Dustin!🎾 🎾🎾🎉🎉🎉
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Our Year 5 Faith in Action students had an inspiring day at West HQ! ✨ �They deepened their formation through powerful encounters and hands-on workshops focused on HOPE and how to bring that hope back to school through the Vinnies Winter Appeal. We're so excited to take what we’ve learned and spread warmth and kindness in our own community! ❄️❤️
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🏃🏽♀️➡️🏃♀️🏃🏽♂️🏃🏃🏻♂️➡️🏃🏽♀️➡️It was rain, 🌧️ shine 🌞 and rainbows 🌈 today at Sydney Motorsport Park at Eastern Creek for all of our STA’s Diocesan Cross Country runners. Every person in their age group brought it home with speed and tenacity as they burst across the finish line securing their position. For many runners it was their first time competing and for other’s it was even more of an improvement from last year’s efforts! A tremendous amount of parents and grandparents were able to witness their child’s outstanding achievements and it was obvious just how proud our students made us all! What a mighty team we have! Well done everyone! 💪💪💪 🏃 🏃♀️🏃🏻♂️➡️🏃🏻♀️➡️🏃🏽♂️🏃🏽♀️➡️ 🎉
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Knitting and craft club has commenced at STA as part of our Vinnies Winter Appeal. Thank you to all those who have donated their spare knitting needles, wool and time. 🧶
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Mother's Day Liturgy! This morning, we celebrated mothers with a beautiful liturgy of the word. With many students involved throughout the liturgy making it an extra special event.
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Today we celebrated our mothers, grandmothers and other special women in our lives. Before school our students and their families had the opportunity to make some craft together. Folllowing our liturgy our families were invited to a special morning tea.