WEST ORANGE — Rowan Cosh, a 12-year-old from West Orange, has been awarded a wildcard invitation to represent Team USA at the Champions Bowl World Finals – a Junior Olympic-style tennis event drawing young athletes from more than 40 countries in Poreč, Croatia, from Sept. 24-Oct. 5.
Wildcards are extended on a selective basis to junior players who demonstrate exceptional promise, sportsmanship and competitive development, even if they did not qualify through the traditional pathway. Rowan was nominated by the U.S. Champions Bowl organization after years of steady progress, competitive success, coachability and the character he has shown on and off the court.
Cosh is a seventh-grade student at Roosevelt Middle School. He first picked up a racquet at the West Orange Tennis Club when he was 6 years old and the club has been his tennis home ever since. He also was introduced to tennis by a fellow West Orange resident and former high school student, Justin Cadeau, when schools were shut down due to COVID. What began as a fun activity to pass the time and get outside quickly became a passion. Over the years, Rowan has developed into one of New Jersey’s top junior players for his age, while earning six sportsmanship awards for his character, perseverance and love of the game.
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On the court, Rowan is an exciting, creative left-handed player whose game continues to evolve. He enjoys solving problems during points, creating angles and competing against players with different styles. Like many young athletes, his progress hasn’t been linear. There have been breakthrough tournaments, alongside difficult stretches, but every experience has helped him grow. His coaches consistently point to his willingness to learn, his resilience and his genuine love of the sport as some of his greatest strengths.
Tennis has taught Rowan that improvement isn’t measured by one tournament or one ranking, but by continuing to grow through every challenge.
To help make the trip possible, the West Orange Tennis Club is generously hosting a community fundraiser on Saturday, Aug. 22, at 1448 Pleasant Valley Way in West Orange, from 1-4 p.m.
The event will include:
- A Pro-Am with Rowan and his longtime coach, Rafa Zamarripa.
- An adult round robin for players who simply want to play tennis and support the cause.
- Junior and adult tennis clinics.
- Raffles and prizes.
- Food and refreshments.
- Opportunities to support the fundraiser through donations and limited-edition artwork.
To register, call Rowan’s mother, Mary Cosh, at 510-495-7351.
Donations also can be made through a GoFundMe campaign: https://gofund.me/46684f2b2.
One part of the fundraiser that’s especially meaningful to Rowan’s mother, Mary, is the artwork. Mary Cosh is an artist who designed a limited-edition commemorative poster titled “From West Orange to the World.” The poster celebrates Rowan’s journey from the courts of West Orange to representing Team USA on the international stage.
For Rowan, the invitation to the Champions Bowl World Finals is recognition not only of his tennis ability, but also of the journey he has been on since he first walked onto the courts at the West Orange Tennis Club.
Photos Courtesy of Mary Cosh
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