10 February 2025 | Tennis Victoria

1,250km for the Love of Country Week

As we launch our first Humans of Country Week story for 2025, we take a closer look at the Coffs Coasters, a team that has made the long journey from Coffs Harbour, in New South Wales (NSW), to be part of the action. Drawn by something they can’t find back home: the magic of playing on grass courts and the sheer size of the iconic tournament.

In order to get from Coffs Harbour to Swan Hill it generally takes around 13–14 hours to drive. Which is a big commitment for the team! Some of them have been making the trip for five years, others four or three but the passion is the same.

So, what makes Country Week so special?

The team is drawn to the unique atmosphere of the tournament, which brings together more than 1,300 players on 96 grass courts. “This is a unique tournament—it just cannot be matched anywhere in the world,” one team member shared. “We just love it to death, and we’re always going to keep coming back.”

Playing on grass is a rare and exciting experience for the Coffs Coasters, as their home courts don’t offer this surface. The chance to compete on grass courts is something they truly appreciate, making the event even more special.

Getting to Country Week is an adventure in itself. Since the journey is long, the team broke up the trip this year with an overnight stay in Dubbo, turning the journey into a fun experience by spending the night at Dubbo Zoo. “It was an experience in itself,” they said. “Half of it’s about the journey as much as the tournament itself.”

While they come for fun, the Coffs Coasters also train regularly in the lead-up to the tournament. “We hit pretty regularly and do some training just to get some rhythm before the big event,” they said. This year, they’re competing in Section 3, ready to take on some strong opponents.

When asked to describe Country Week in one word, the team captain didn’t hesitate. “Awesome. It’s great to get away with your team, hang out, and try to get a win—but it doesn’t matter if you don’t. There’s a real carnival-like atmosphere.” Each team member had their own word to sum up the experience, with responses including unreal, fantastic, mates and team.

The words may be different, but the feeling is the same. Country Week is an experience like no other.

And for the Coffs Coasters, Country Week is more than just a tournament—it’s an annual tradition filled with camaraderie, competition, and unforgettable memories.

And if you’re thinking about signing up? Captain Cameron has one message for you: “Just try. It has this carnival like atmosphere, you know, biggest tournament I’ve ever seen! I just love it. So, thanks for having us.”

February 10: Day 1 Coffs Coasters from Coffs Harbour. Tennis Victoria Country Week Swan Hill

February 10: Day 1 Coffs Coasters from Coffs Harbour. Tennis Victoria Country Week Swan Hill