A Mullaley teen has been shortlisted for a national documentary about youth overcoming life's challenges.
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Anna Bishop, known for her tennis prowess, was nominated by Alex Wharton, one of her teachers at Carinya Christian School in Gunnedah.
The 14-year-old juggles tennis training and tournaments with school work and chores on the farm and is no stranger to late nights. She is also on the road almost every day, travelling to and from school and away for competitions.
"I try to make everything balance with school and friends but it's definitely hard, but it's taught me great organisational skills for when I'm older," Anna said.
"Being a 14-year-old girl I have been thinking that sometimes [it's too hard] but I know - and my parents encourage me - that I just need to push through that. Sometimes I'm just tired so I take off a few days and have a break."
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Anna said Carinya has supported her in her crazy schedule and she has "really close tennis friends" and "amazing parents" she can chat to when she is struggling.
"The school has been amazing. It's been flexible with letting me be away with tennis and visiting family in America, but I've made a deal [with them] to be really focused on my studies and keep going with that when I'm away," she said.
Anna knew that Mr Wharton had nominated her for the documentary but "it's such a big competition that I didn't think much would come from it". The news this week that she made the top 11 came as "a real surprise".
"I hope I can share my story because it's been an amazing experience," Anna said.
The high school student said there's much more to tennis than meets the eye.
"It's not really just a sport. It's such a mental game. It's not just about how strongly or how you hit the ball ... you have to be so focused for an hour or two and have to be focused on every shot ... you don't have a moment to turn off if you need to," she said.
"It's taught me so many things already that will help me in the future, that are already helping me now."
Things have quietened down on the tennis circuit because of COVID-19, so Anna has mostly been playing games in town.
"[I've] found a lot of happiness with that and it's a great experience playing older players and more experienced players. It's less stressful, and relaxing," Anna said.
I try to make everything balance with school and friends but it's definitely hard.
- Anna Bishop
Her mum, Carolyn, said Anna has had "a huge support group all along the way", which has become vital during the drought, which added extra pressure to family life and finances.
"All of our workload, for all of us, increased on the farm during the drought ... We were extremely time-poor but we had to find time to make it work," Mrs Bishop said.
"To her credit, she has juggled her school work, and that has come from an amazingly supportive school, which has worked with Anna to allow her to do that from a very young age.
"We thought she might not be able to maintain that but she was able to do that."
Mrs Bishop said being involved in tennis on a national level, and the responsibilities and opportunities that come with that, has "helped her grow and mature". The fact that COVID-19 hasn't dampened Anna's drive for tennis "is a sign that she loves it".
Mr Wharton said Carinya staff were "very proud" of Anna.
"[I] think the way in which she has overcome challenges of distance and drought to continue to persevere with her tennis goals, as well as maintaining her outstanding academic profile, is worthy of recognition," he said.
- Anna will progress through to the next round of the competition if she receives enough public votes. To vote, click here and follow the instructions.