The tennis summer season has come to an end following the conclusion of Juniors, Twilight and Saturday afternoon Aggregate competition. The club championships were also completed in March. 

We are fortunate to have some of the best grass courts in Victoria thanks to our curator Adrian Pantling, and also thanks to our 300 members who contribute to the upkeep of the courts through membership fees. 

Leading up to the summer season, Merriwa park was closed for two months due to the soggy ground and potential for trees to fall. However, the park opened just in time for the season to begin. The basement courts suffered damage, as shown below, when the levee bank pump couldn't cope with high river levels.

Saturday afternoon tennis will continue in the off-season, but with a 1pm start. Names to be registered by 12:30, by phone. 5721 2438

Above: court flooding at the start of the 2023/24 season.

A summary of some of the summer activities follows below.

After 21 rounds of competition, and counting of the best 18 scores, the results are in and the winners have been declared. There were 88 different players participated throughout the season with an average of 32 playing each Saturday. The winners were: 
Ladies: Maree Sullivan (11th title win)
Men's: Andrew Cope
In the minor placings were: Phil Dryden, John Shanley, Mason Scholes and Mark Brown.

Many thanks to Phil Peck for his strong contribution in organising the Saturday afternoon playing groups.

A wonderful summer season of Junior Tennis has come to an end. The improvement and enjoyment across playing groups has been wonderful to watch. Our final week was held on Saturday 16th March with a BBQ and presentation following play.

One of the hilights of the presentations was the awarding of the Michelle Hill "Spirit of Tennis Encouragement Award". Michelle was on hand to make the presentations to Phoebe Read & Reid Scholes.

Michelle is our most decorated club player with 16 club champion singles titles, and numerous other doubles titles. Michelle is currently ranked No. 1 in doubles on the ITF (International Tennis Federation) Masters rankings for her age category. She is also ranked in the top 10 in singles, and No. 4 in mixed doubles.

In 2023 Michelle was recognised by Tennis Victoria by taking out the Most Outstanding 30+ Tennis Master award.

Below, Michelle can be seen presenting her encouragement awards to Phoebe and Reid.

Twilight tennis has come to the end of a successful & enjoyable season.
B grade final:
Congratulations to Wang Saw & Lawnmower who defeated Sign Effects by 7 games in the Grand Final. Sign Effects have now suffered 8 Grand Final losses in 8 Grand Final appearances & former Cellar Dwellers Wang Saw & Lawn have now won 2 from 2!!!

A Grade Grand Final:
The 2 best teams all season faced off in the GF.
Gary Nash & Co defeated Premier Panels by 18 games , with GN& Co stalwart Mark Brown breaking up the hard hitting play with his drop shots.

The Twilight coordinators would like to thank (B grade) Robyn Snowden for her efforts in organising the bar & Geoff Morrow for running the end of season bbq and Kevin Callahan for his help on many things and (A grade) Scott McGennisken for barbie duties & Mary-Ellen Callahan for organising the food.
. All players said they had a wonderful time and be back again next year.

Pictured below are all players on the final day.

What a great term of tennis , with Emma and Grove coming from Melbourne to help out with a Free Tennis clinic. The clinic attracted over 22 kids and a great day was had by all. The photo below depicts those involved in the clinic.

Term 1 was a very short term and is drawing to a close. Saturday tennis, thanks to the coaching teams was a great success. Term 2 Lesson times will be published on the Website in due course.

In the Hotshot League it was the second win for Hamish Cole ( Middle ) and Second place to Elize Taylor on the left and Julian Molina-Gaitan right hand side.

Ladies Singles: Michelle Hill d Mandy Allen
Men's Singles: Sam Allen d Matthew Allen

Ladies Doubles:
Michelle Hill & Maree Sullivan d Sabrina Lewicki & Robyn Snowdon

Men's Doubles
Matthew & Sam Allen d Mark Brown & Mathew Curran

Mixed Doubles
Michelle Hill & John Brunner d Michelle Flynn & Sam Allen

Pictured below: Michelle Hill being congratulated by club president Barry Sullivan, and Sam Allen with his singles trophy.

Last season we welcomed two new members to the honored rank of Life Membership: Mandy Allen and Vicki Mason.

Honorary Life Membership is the highest recognition awarded to a member in acknowledgement of exceptional service and contribution to the club. The award is based on submissions from members that show the measurable benefits to the club over an extended
period of time.

Life memberships are presented at the Annual General Meeting, however submissions are first scrutinised by a sub-committee which makes a recommendation to the main committee.

If you have someone in mind for a life membership, please forward your submission to the secretary well in advance of the AGM.