25 January 2013 | Tennis Victoria

When you talk to Mandy James from the Buninyong Tennis Centre about the completion and recent opening of their new courts and club rooms, two words spring to mind – persistence and networking.

James, along with all those who helped for many years on the project, are all extremely proud of the new centre that features eight Rebound Ace floodlit courts and a brand new club house.

The Buninyong and District Tennis Association has a long and proud history dating back to its formation in 1933. Senior, junior and midweek competitions have been run throughout that time by an executive that has remained stable.

In the 70s, the Association was in a position to build its own courts, six initially and a further three later on. The clubhouse was a disused army hut transported from Puckapunyul and rebuilt to suit the needs of the association.

In the 80s, tennis in Buninyong was very strong as were all sports in Country Victoria. At this time three courts were resurfaced with the others to follow.  Council amalgamation at this time did not serve tennis well in Buninyong, as the City of Ballarat didn’t have a process for facility maintenance and the courts suffered. Within a short period only three courts were unplayable.

With the vision held by one Councillor for a sporting precinct in Buninyong a plan was hatched. It did however take some time for the remaining Councillors to come on board and for a funding option to become available. With the help of the Recreation and Open Space Planning Unit of Council, Tennis Victoria and the Victorian Country Tennis Association, a top quality facility for residents was realised.

Many meetings later with strategic plans, feasibility studies, new Councillors and more, a plan was laid and it was full steam ahead.

With the addition of the eight new courts and a new club house, all matches are now able to be played at the one venue for the first time in many years.

Congratulations to the Committee past and present for their outstanding persistence and networking to make this project happen. Tennis will certainly be played by more people, more often in Buninyong and the surrounding district.

The icing on the cake for many members, locals and tennis enthusiasts was a visit from the Australian Open Trophy as part of its tour in Australia.