19 November 2015 | Tennis Victoria

A new initiative designed to ‘open up’ tennis courts across the state is set for expansion following a successful pilot program launched by the Victorian government, Tennis Australia and Tennis Victoria.

In a move designed to radically improve the way players access courts, the ‘Opening Up Tennis’ program links online court booking software to gate and lighting hardware. This innovation allows both club members and casual users to book their court conveniently online and independently manage the court facilities.

Tennis Australia invested $500,000 into the online booking software, with the Victorian government injecting $250,000 into the project managed and implemented by Tennis Victoria, with 15 tennis clubs across the state now with established online booking systems and court hardware.

Ten new tennis clubs across Melbourne and regional Victoria, including Keysborough, Melton South, Royal Park and Wodonga, will join the successful enterprise.

“Tennis is a great way to keep fit and healthy and make new friends. Opening Up Tennis means players can have a hit day and night, but not at the expense of our hard-working volunteers,” said Minister for Sport, John Eren.

“This new initiative is a game changing move for tennis. When the Australian Open starts in 2016 we will have 25 tennis venues across Victoria participating in this hugely successful ‘Opening Up Tennis’ program, including five in the City of Melbourne and five in regional Victoria,” Tennis Victoria Chief Executive Officer Matthew Kennedy said today.

“It’s wonderful to see 10 more venues now able to benefit from this initiative, as we strive to make our sport even more accessible. This new program reinforces that the fence around a tennis court is to keep the balls in, not to keep the community out.”

“We are already seeing more people playing tennis at the club since using the online booking software and installing the Opening Up Tennis gate technology,” Princes Hill Tennis Club President Peter Mattessi said.

“In the past, players had to write their name on photocopied booking sheets and then pick up a key to the courts from the local milk bar. Now, members and non-members alike can book online and have no problem getting into the courts.”

 

Phase Two Venues (Hardware to be installed in late Nov/early Dec)

Buninyong & District TA – City of Ballarat

Karingal Drive TC – Banyule City Council

Keysborough TC – City of Greater Dandenong

Longbeach TC – City of Kingston

Melton South TC – Melton City Council

Mildura Lawn TC – Mildura Rural City Council

Overport Park TC – Frankston City Council

Royal Park TC – City of Melbourne

West Lalor TC – City of Whittlesea

Wodonga TC – City of Wodonga

 

Phase One Venues

Anglesea Tennis Club (TC) – Surf Coast Shire

Ararat City TC – Ararat Rural City Council

Aspendale TC – City of Kingston

Bruce Park TC – Frankston City Council

Carlton Gardens TC – City of Melbourne

Chelsea Heights TC – City of Kingston

Eildon Park TC – Knox City Council

Kensington Banks Tennis Courts – City of Melbourne

Kilmore TC – Mitchell Shire Council

Montrose TC – Yarra Ranges

North Park TC – City of Melbourne

Parkdale TC – City of Kingston

Princes Hill TC – City of Melbourne

Saltwater TC – City of Wyndham

Yamala Park TC – Frankston City Council