Easter surprise: tennis club up for state award

MYRTLEFORD Lawn Tennis Club is in the running for a state title. The club is one of three finalists vying for the Most Outstanding Tournament, as part of the Victorian Community Tennis Awards for 2025. The club's 35th Easter Tournament (senior and junior) is pitted against the Victorian Schools Boys and School Girls Championships and the Rye Tennis Club's 46th Annual Australia Day Tournament for the prestigious honour. Club president Peter Ternes said the club was thrilled to be recognised and up for such an award. "We're only a small club of around 120 members and nearly everyone contributes to the staging of our annual Easter Tournament," he said. "It's a very successful event and players love it because of the courts, food and our country hospitality and friendliness. "They really enjoy being able to play a round robin format in doubles and mixed (seniors) and in the juniors, rather than a straight knock-out fixture." Mr Ternes said the popularity of the event was clearly evident by the fact entries were full within 70 minutes of opening for the 2024 event. Entries for this year's event, held over Easter last month, were booked out ever earlier - within the hour - with 126 entries (96 players) competing in junior matches at the courts at McNamara Reserve, and 476 entries (319 players) competing in senior games on the lawn courts. Mr Ternes said the tournament helps keep the club alive financially, covering the expense of maintaining the club and courts, without necessitating a rise in membership fees for more than 10 years. "It's also a big boost to the town economy too," he said. Tennis Victoria CEO, Kim Kachel, said the awards are a powerful reminder of the passion and dedication that drive tennis at the grassroots level. The 2025 awards ceremony will be held in conjunction with National Volunteer Week and will shine a light on community and grassroots excellence at the iconic Kooyong Lawn Tennis Club on 22 May. Mr Ternes, his wife Robyn, and Alan and Kaye Heberle - who have been involved with the tournament since it started more than 36 years ago - will be representing the club at the awards night. Fellow club member Vicki Moore, who has also been involved since the start, as well as event junior referee and treasurer for more than 20 years Marcus James, were also to attend but are unable to do so.

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