24 November 2015 | Tennis West

In a coup for WA Tennis, Alexander Park Tennis Club have walked away with one of the highest honors, after being awarded the Most Outstanding Club Award at the 2015 Newcombe Medal.

Held on Monday evening in the Palladium Ballroom at Melbourne’s Crown Entertainment Complex, the Newcombe Medal, Australian Tennis Awards recognises players, coaches, clubs, communities, volunteers and officials for their service to the sport. The awards ceremony has been held annually since 2010.

 

Alexander Park Tennis Club had some heavy competition from City Community Tennis (NSW) and Mt Eliza Tennis Club (Vic), to take out the Club Award, which recognizes clubs that have an inviting culture, are accessible to the public, have implemented Tennis Australia programs and have increased competitive opportunities for players. As an added bonus, the club also walked away with a cool $25,000 cheque from Medibank.

 

Over the last 12 months Alexander Park Tennis Club, located in the suburb of Menora, has witnessed a 20% increase in their membership alone. This is largely a result of their recent endeavours to engage with the local community and develop the “Alexander Park Tennis Club Experience” which consists of affordable and flexible playing costs for members and visitors, a large variety of coaching and competition programs for people of all ages and standards, a wide range of social and community based events, and strong volunteer support.  The club has undergone some major updates to now house 22 international standard grass courts, with a modern clubhouse, fully licensed bar, club pro shop and an onsite partnership with a children’s playgroup.

 

A Friday night “Social Hub” has encouraged families back to the club, whilst their club event offerings, including Food & Wine Tasting Nights, Community Open Days, Live Music Events, Movie Nights and Halloween and Christmas Parties, have become popular with members and the local community and has seen sponsorship revenue increase.

 

The club’s success and engagement with the local community was formerly recognized at the WA Tennis Industry Awards Night, held in October, with Alexander Park TC winning the WA Most Outstanding Club Award alongside Onslow Park TC. This win secured them a nomination to the Newcombe Awards.

 

Club President, Ceri Wagnell, said she is thrilled to win such a prestigious award, and is proud of her club’s achievements over the last few years.

 

“We have all worked so hard to create an environment at our club that is fun and welcoming to all standards and ages, as well as players, families and the local community.  It was fabulous to be recognised as the Most Outstanding Club by Tennis West earlier in the year, and now by Tennis Australia at the Newcombe Awards. We are very honoured, and of course we are absolutely delighted that Medibank have given us an opportunity to improve our club further with the financial prize that came with this award.” Wagnell said.

 

Tennis West CEO, Geoff Quinlan, said “Alexander Park Tennis Club is one of the premier clubs in WA, and with this award, is now recognized in the top echelon of clubs in Australia – a title which they are truly deserving of. The club is highly engaged with the local community, with a pro-active committee that provides a welcoming, family-friendly atmosphere framed with international standard grass courts and a state of the art club house.”

 

Alexander Park Tennis Club were one of five WA Finalists at the Newcombe Medal, Australian Tennis Awards, with Creaney Primary School nominated for the Most Outstanding School Award, Matthew Bull from Onslow Park TC a finalist in the Coaching Excellence: Club Award, Margaret Robinson a finalist in the Most Outstanding 35+ Senior Category, and Perth super star, Casey Dellacqua nominated for the Newcombe Medal, which was ultimately won by World No. 60, Sam Groth.

 

For further information on the Newcombe Medal, Australian Tennis Awards please visit www.tennis.com.au .

 

 

For further media enquiries:

Elle Mazza

Marketing & Community Engagement Manager, Tennis West

(08) 6462 8303  / [email protected]