The Sale Tennis Club was named the National Good Sports Club of the Year for 2011, the win follows on from the club’s joint victory as the Victorian Good Sports Club of the Year for 2010.
Along with the two awards, they were also awarded the Most Outstanding Club at the prestigious 2011 Australian Tennis Awards in December.
The club was recognised for its work in the Good Sports program at the Australian Drug Foundation’s annual Dame Elisabeth Murdoch Oration at the State Library of Victoria in 2010 and was awarded a cheque for $1000.
Good Sports is a program focusing on clubs managing alcohol consumption and ensuring the focus is put back on sport.
“Unfortunately, for some considerable time, alcohol was seen as an essential accompaniment to the court activities and was not always consumed responsibly or safely,” said Robin Lowe, President of the Sale Tennis Club.
“At first there was some hostility from the first few who were refused service, however members started to notice the change and advantages.”
Barry Switzer, GippSport’s Executive Officer, said the club should be proud of the changes they have made.
“We have 135 accredited Good Sports Clubs in the Gippsland Region alone and for them to be joint winners of the state-wide award is a great achievement,” said Switzer.
Along with the award, Sale Tennis Club’s participation in the Good Sports Program has helped the club become a Tennis Australia Regional Partner, which had been a long-term goal.
“Our participation in the Good Sports Program was one of the factors that resulted in this partnership,” said Mr. Lowe.
The Good Sports Program is an initiative of the Australian Drug Foundation aimed at creating family friendly and safe environments for community clubs through the responsible management of alcohol. More information about the program can be found at www.goodsports.com.au.
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