4 January 2012 | Tennis Victoria

Bundoora Tennis Club was recently involved in the redevelopment of six courts at the club. The $233,000 project took more than 24 months to complete and included two new Plexicushion courts, the rebuilding of four en-tout-cas courts, new fencing and lighting on four of the courts. The project was managed by the Bundoora Tennis Club in partnership with the Banyule City Council and funding for the work was provided by Sport and Recreation Victoria, Banyule City Council, Tennis Australia – via the National Court Rebate Scheme – and the club. Construction began in mid to late 2008 and was completed in November 2010.

In recognition of the project’s success and the approach taken, the club’s story features as a case study in Tennis Victoria’s Tennis Facility Planning Guide.

To celebrate the opening of the new courts, the club held a successful Club Open Day in front of dignitaries including Banyule City Mayor Cr Peter McKenna, Cr Jessica Paul, Colin Brooks MP (Bundoora), Geoff Stone (Tennis Victoria Vice President at the time) and Australian tennis legend John Fitzgerald. The day was a huge success and enjoyed by approximately 150 guests. A highlight of the day was the exhibition match featuring John Fitzgerald and representatives of Banyule City Council and Bundoora Tennis Club.

The club is very lucky to have such great support from both Banyule City Council and Tennis Victoria through their Community Tennis Officer Nick Whitefield, without which such projects would not be possible. Most recently these partnerships have resulted in the launch of a new all abilities tennis coaching program at the club. To support this program, the club and council have embarked on a change room upgrade which will provide improved facilities for members and accessible facilities for participants in the new all abilities coaching program.

We at the Bundoora Tennis Club cannot stress more the importance of forming successful partnerships with key stakeholders of the sport, and encourage clubs to exhaust all funding and programming avenues available to ensure the ongoing viability of tennis clubs in the state.

Matt Testolin
President