Did you know that this week is National Volunteer Week? At Tennis Victoria we value our volunteers of whom there are many. Ali McMeekin is one. Ali is the Vice President at Mildura Lawn Tennis Club and we caught up with her during the Mildura Grand International tournament earlier this year. Ali has played tennis all of her life through family connections to the sport. She moved to Mildura in 2003 and knew no one.
“Sport connects you to a community so when I arrived I asked someone to point me in the direction of the tennis club.”
When asked what kept her coming back to the club she mentioned that the quality of the courts at Mildura are amazing but it’s definitely the people that keep her going.
“We have a competition set up over the summer where you’re not committed to play every week but if you do play, you will be put on a card with similar standards. It’s called sectional tennis. I like my section. It’s the same people most weeks but occasionally we get new people which is great.”
Mildura Lawn Tennis Club has 32 natural grass, 4 synthetic grass and 4 plexipave courts and around 350 members. The addition of new club coach Dean Kyle has helped with more juniors come into the club to experience tennis.
The club has hosted the Mildura Grand International for about 9 years now. It is a lot of work for a volunteer committee but they do a fantastic job. This was evident in the tournament being named Most Outstanding Professional Tournament at the 2015 Newcombe Medal Awards. The committee has built up a strong relationship with their suppliers and sponsors over the years of running the tournament. The Pro Tour event is strongly supported by the Quality Hotel Mildura Grand as the naming rights holder. They also have Prime and Sunraysia Daily who are instrumental in their support of the tournament and the club all year round. The club are determined to not keep leaning on the members for support so are always appreciative
of the sponsorships and or grants that they have received. The club hosts their sponsors throughout the tournament to show their appreciation for their support of tennis in Mildura.
Hosting the tournament, and other events, has enabled the club to upgrade their kitchen as well as their toilets including the installation of a disabled access toilet. Every year that people come back they can see something that’s been added to the club.
When asked what was next for Mildura Lawn Tennis Club, Ali said “we’re looking to build on our juniors program, to build a progression through the club. We want to encourage the traditional drop off age group to keep doing some physical activity when the pressures of paid and school work can mount. We’d like to see them taking part in the senior competitions.”
The club are also keen to build a playground to open up the ability for mums and dads who have small children to be able to play tennis and bring their children with the comfort of knowing they are occupied and safe.
Volunteers of the lifeblood of Mildura Lawn Tennis Club. Their volunteers assist all year round with general day to day competitions, their Pro Tour tournament, working bees and other events they run through the year. “We want more people to feel like it’s their facility and to enjoy it. We’re always looking at ways to improve and make this club the best it can be for its members.”
“I like to put back into clubs that I’m part of so being on committee or volunteering. I think it’s a natural thing to do when you’re in a small community.”
Tennis Victoria rewards and recognises it’s Volunteers all year round through the Tennis Victoria Recognition Program. To reward the efforts of those at your club, nominate someone today.
Thank you to Ali McMeekin and all at the Mildura Lawn Tennis Club. You can keep in touch with the club via their Facebook page or website.
Latest
VIC