8 February 2016 | Tennis Victoria

Templestowe’s Paul Polidano was awarded the first Tennis Victoria Tennis Service Award for 2016, for outstanding services to the St Kevin’s Tennis Club.

A founding member of the club since 1978, Polidano has been instrumental in the development, growth and success of the club, which today has more than 100 active members.

Having been club secretary for seven years, Polidano then took on the role as president over 11 years ago. In partnership with his wife, Elizabeth, his leadership and enthusiasm saw the construction of the first ever courts at the club followed by the installation of court lighting. He then oversaw the court resurfacing on two occasions and has provided ongoing maintenance to not only the courts but also the club surrounds.

In this time, Polidano has helped to instate four coaches including the most recent appointment whereby he lead a sub-committee who worked tirelessly for over a month to ensure the newest coach would bring fresh faces to the club and increase the junior participation base.

In 2015 Polidano received a Menzies Community Australia Day Award, presented to him by The Hon. Kevin Andrews, for his contribution to St. Kevin’s Tennis Club.

“Paul is the back bone of St Kevin’s Tennis Club and our club would be at a loss without his devotion,” said committee member Rachel McMahon. “Paul has been a dedicated leader of St Kevin’s Tennis Club and still plays tennis twice a week in both Inter-club and Intra-club competitions. We would like to take this opportunity to thank Paul for the energy and contribution he has and provided and continues to provide to our club and tennis as a whole.”

St Kevin’s Tennis Club has six synthetic grass courts, all with lighting.  Two of which have the capability of pay-as-you-play provisions available to members. Apart from providing a venue for social tennis for its Members, the Club participates in a number of competitions catering for both adults and juniors as well as providing social interaction after matches. The Club, through its Tennis Victoria accredited Coach, conducts tennis coaching clinics for the St Kevin’s School children as well as Free Tennis Days throughout the year. For more information on the club ahead to www.stkevinstctemplestowe.org.au

The Tennis Service Award recognises those who have demonstrated their contribution to the sport of tennis through devoted and significant service to any one or more of the State Tennis Associations’ affiliated tennis clubs and/or associations and/or member organisations. To nominate someone from your club or association for an award click here.