Fourteen categories of Victorian Tennis Awards will recognise Victoria’s various on and off court success into one big community tennis celebration on Friday, October 18.
Winners will be announced at the Tennis Victoria Champions Dinner which will be at The Pullman, Albert Park.
These awards align with the national Newcombe Medal/Australian Tennis Awards.
Tennis Victoria CEO, Ruth Holdaway MBE was thrilled to see the list of finalists and says she is looking forward to celebrating with them at the Tennis Victoria Champions Dinner.
“I would like to congratulate all our great finalists for the Victorian Tennis Awards and thank them for their wonderful service,” Ms Holdaway said.
“The Victorian Tennis Awards are a way of recognising the incredible contribution made by so many amazing people.
“We are grateful and privileged that so many volunteers give up their time to make our sport so special.”
YLTC secretary and joint tournament director Jo McCarthy said the club is excited to be in such esteemed company, with other finalists AGL Loy Yang Traralgon International and the 2018 Victorian Seniors Grasscourt Championships.
“The 121st Yarrawonga Easter Tournament was once again a resounding success with 1428 registered players, 854 males and 574 females, playing in 101 different events and completing 2006 matches over four days,” she said.
Players flock to Yarrawonga from all over Australia, with some overseas participants to enjoy their Easter whilst playing tennis on the 53 grass and four plexi-pave courts, set up for this event.
The tournament caters for tennis players of all ages and all abilities, junior and seniors ranging from six-years-of-age to over 70, from D grade to the high quality Open Events. Regardless of age or ability, the Easter Tournament aims to provide a family tournament that caters for all. Participants can enter into one singles event, two doubles events and a mixed event, providing plenty of tennis on some of the best grass courts in Australia.
“The tournament runs across 53 top quality grass courts. Yarrawonga Lawn Tennis Club has 23 dedicated grass courts, and the football oval is groomed and prepared for many months in the lead-up to Easter, to provide an additional 30 grass courts,” Ms McCarthy said.
“The grounds staff invest many months of work in order to ensure the courts are in immaculate condition, providing an exceptional venue and quality courts for all players.
“The standard of the tournament has increased in recent years, due to the generosity of a number of local businesses who provide sponsorship for prize money, prizes and trophies. The club would like to publicly thank Simply Caravans, Club Mulwala, Yarrawonga Mulwala Golf Club Resort, Yarrawonga Holiday Park, Wheaton’s Chiropractic, Golden Inn Chinese, Biggers Furniture Floorworld, Yarrawonga Bakery, Melbourne Cable Park and Yarrawonga College P-12.”
Ms McCarthy said the large volunteer base provides an outstanding experience for all players, coaches, spectators and families.
Schedules for all days are posted in advance ensuring a smoothly, run operation for the enormous number of participants. Food, drinks, kids’ activities and the beautiful weather and surrounds of the Yarrawonga Lawn Tennis Club contribute to a highly successful and enjoyable event for all involved.
“Some families and groups have been coming to Yarrawonga for well over 20 years, and each year we attract new entrants who are also starting their Easter tradition in Yarrawonga,” Ms McCarthy said.
“We look forward to the Champions Dinner in October, very proud of being selected as a finalist, and quietly hoping to be named as Tennis Victoria’s Most Outstanding Tournament.”