Terrific Tennis Victoria Country Week

She referred to the combined effort of local organisations which brought about the success.

“This happened with the contribution of a number of groups that I'd like to acknowledge: Yarrawonga Mulwala Tourism and Business, Moira Shire who in eight weeks were able to pull together heaps of resources to get these facilities up for the tournament, Yarrawonga Mulwala Cricket Club President Glenn Brear and his team of volunteers, and Yarrawonga Lawn Tennis Club with a special mention to club president Daryl Bennett and curator Warwick Henderson,” Bree said.

“Thank you to the players and spectators for the spirit in which Country Week is played. And thank you to the Tennis Victoria staff for all their work this week. Thank you to all players and hopefully see you all next year!”

Conspicuous in their yellow-coloured tee shirts, Tennis Victoria staff conducted the world’s biggest grasscourt tournament impeccably.

“What a week – 101 grass courts, 205 teams, 1,293 players enjoying Country Week Tennis and the experiences on offer in Yarrawonga Mulwala!” exclaimed Executive Officer Noel Wright of Yarrawonga Mulwala Visitor Information Centre.

“Yarrawonga Mulwala Tourism & Business committed and paid the host fee of $20,000 to see this event in Yarrawonga Mulwala and could not be happier with the outcomes.”

Mr Wright acknowledged the support of the Mulwala Water Ski Club and the Yarrawonga Mulwala Golf Club Resort with their contributions of $7,500 each to host the Monday to Thursday evenings’ entertainment for the tennis crowd.

“The economic contribution of Country Week exceeds $3 million with the benefits to the community flowing to local business, employees and local residents.”

The Tourism Executive Officer said the event was not all about the money. “The social benefit cannot be underestimated,” he said.

“The feel, perhaps even pride, in the community created by a successful large event is invaluable and for that we must thank our event partners Tennis Victoria, the Yarrawonga Lawn Tennis Club and Moira Shire Council for the tireless work over the past 10 weeks or so.

“As the CEO of Tennis Victoria, Adam Crameri, advised, Country Week is the largest grass court tournament in the world, so congratulations Yarrawonga Mulwala, you have just hosted the largest grass court tennis tournament in the world.”

Moira Shire Mayor Peter Lawless said council was only too pleased to be involved in Country Week.

“My observations were that everyone was enjoying themselves, the atmosphere was great, the week was well organised and there was a good social program,” he said.

“Our shire hopes the players loved Yarrawonga and saw some more of our shire.”

Yarrawonga Lawn Tennis Club President Daryl Bennett said his club loved being chosen to host the big event. “We hope the Yarrawonga community appreciated the business it brought into town,” he said.

“The weather was prefect and hope everybody had a great time.”

Tennis Victoria Country Week 2024 will be held in Wodonga from February 11 to 16. “We hope to see you soon after,” those hard-working yellow shirted employees of Tennis Victoria told the Yarrawonga Chronicle.

Tennis Victoria Country Week 2023 came to an end last Friday with Yarrawonga Lawn Tennis Club, Moira Shire and Yarrawonga Mulwala Tourism playing host to a fantastic week of tennis, fun, friendships and sunshine, and 26 winners on the final day.

From a local perspective there were several teams entered with the B4 Yarrawonga Allsorts (Amy Lairson, Gert Brunner, Angela Mitchell, Ellen Bruce, Sandra Heaney, Anna Castles and Christine Turnbull) winning their division and the C4 Bloomers (Jenelle Bennett, Win Win Htwe, Helen White, Sue-Anne Stuart, Kura Fraser, Robyn Snowdon and Jan Knights) winning their final.

The Tandara and Lecontes (Shepparton) went back-to-back in the Women’s and Men’s A Grade Grand Finals respectively.

Claire’s Bears from Shepparton capped off a brilliant week by winning the Gilchrist/Pearce Cup, an award for all 26 grades to aspire to win by having the highest game winning percentage from all round matches.

Pat Flynn, Country Week Legend who has played over 52 events was victorious in the C2 Grade Men’s final. A member of the Wangaratta Legionnaires, Pat was joined by his son and grandson and fellow teammates in claiming the Grade trophy.

After a late night at the courts last Thursday for their semi-final that ended in a draw, the BFMs returned Friday at 8am to finish their semi-final match. Taking on the Grape Therapy team, BFMs were victorious and went on to meet the Bendigo Besties in the final. The BFMs took their winning form into the final to take the Special B2 title.

There were plenty of other winners. Players travelled from across the country and overseas with competitors coming from Bathurst, Port Macquarie, Devonport, Adelaide, New Zealand, Brisbane, Merimbula and from all corners of Victoria.

The final statistics for Tennis Victoria Country Week 2023 were: 1293 players, aged between 15 and 83, 205 teams – 119 female and 86 male teams - 26 grades, 2,376 Dunlop Australian Open tennis balls were used, 101 grass courts were prepared by club curator Warwick Henderson, including 23 permanent courts and 78 temporary courts prepared on JC Lowe Oval and the Victoria Park precinct, 85 racquets were restrung by the team from Tennis Lab using 1032 metres of string.

Country Week players racquets were restrung by the same team responsible for the racquet preparation of Nick Kyrgios, Ash Barty and Stefanos Tsitsipas.