10 September 2013 | Tennis Victoria

Tennis Victoria is excited to announce the Grade winners of the 2013 Pennant Player of the Year Award and the Seniors’ team taking home the Kevin Howard Award.

The 2013 season saw the standard of the competition increase significantly across all grades due to the introduction of some new initiatives, therefore, to be crowned the champion player of a Grade is a significant and remarkable achievement by these players.

All winners of the Pennant Player of the Year Award will receive 2 ground passes to the 2014 Australian Open and are invited as VIP guests to the 2013 Asia-Pacific Tennis League – Vic Conference Final (date and venue to be determined), where they will presented with their award.

Please click here to view a listing of the 2013 Pennant Player of the Year Award and Kevin Howard Award winners

The highly successful 2013 Pennant season concluded on the weekend with the playing of the last Grade Grand Finals.

The successful initiatives introduced to the 2013 season included:

• Defined number of sections and capping of teams per club in the higher grades resulting in an increased standard competition across all grades, and a greater diversity of clubs competing.
• New Men’s Open Doubles and Men’s Masters 50+ Doubles competition replacing the Seniors 35+ competition. These competitions are pivotal for providing greater choice, flexibility and playing opportunities for players. The Masters 50+ Doubles competition is designed to further encourage players to keep playing tennis into their 50’s and beyond.
• The lowest grades of the Men’s and Women’s competitions also featured a shortened 10 week season with no matches scheduled in the school holidays. These options were introduced to offer the competition to new markets and players, and attract beginner standard players to Pennant as part of their transition into quality competition. TV is looking to build and increase team numbers from the bottom grades with this inclusion
• Grouping of Grade Grand Finals at one venue wherever possible for a greater finals like atmosphere for players and spectators.

Tennis Victoria Competitions Manager Jeff Downes was thrilled with the finals series.

“The Grand Finals this year were an enormous success and the increase of standard in play across all grades was certainly evident” said Downes.

“Holding multiple Grand Finals at one venue was well received. The atmosphere was great and the car parks were full.”   

Please click here to view the Grade Finals Draws and eventual winners.

Tennis Victoria extends its thanks to the 134 competing clubs and 484 teams during the 2013 season. Team nomination  information for the 2014 season will be distributed to clubs in early December.