Sports Stars of Tomorrow: Christian O'Fagan | Canterbury Sport | Surfing, Rugby, Soccer, Football, Cricket in Canterbury

Strong Christian faith is reaping rewards in senior tennis.

St Bede's College fifth former Christian O'Fagan got the best present for his 16th birthday three days late last Saturday when he helped Waimairi win the senior men's tennis final for the first time. Although O'Fagan lost his match in the final, he's certainly repaid the faith of his coaching mentors and Waimairi team mates Alistair Hunt and Vernon Aubrey this summer.

In his first season in senior tennis, the teenager has shown the benefits by beating some players in the second round who had beaten him in the first.

"I've gained experience and a mental edge with Vernon and Al," he said. "It's great for me playing with people like Al, whose been on the tour, and Vernon, who's had so many senior wins."

That mental edge helps him when he's playing fellow juniors, he said.

Winning the final in your first senior season is special, but O'Fagan has other trophies to show from a super summer. He won the Canterbury 16 and 18 singles titles, and made the top 12 at the national 16s hardcourts.

O'Fagan started playing at Waimairi when he was about 10, first under the guidance of Robyn Legge-Hunt and then Alistair Hunt.

Because of his youth, he needed a dispensation to start playing in senior division two in 2004-05, then the following summer played division one ? with his father Bernie in the same team ? before stepping up to senior grade.

As for his tennis future, when he leaves St Bede's, onward Christian will soldier to US college tennis, if he has his way.