Welcome to VCTA Country Week

Around 100 grass tennis courts will be created for over 1300 players in three locations including the club’s own courts, the adjoining J C Lowe Oval, Victoria Park’s main Stan Hargreaves oval and the adjacent junior ovals.

Yarrawonga Lawn Tennis Club warmly welcomes players, officials and support staff to the 2023 Victorian Country Tennis Association (VCTA) Country Week Tournament.

We are confident you will not only enjoy our tennis facilities but also have time to savour our hospitality and local attractions during your stay.

A dedicated team of members from or on behalf of Yarrawonga Lawn Tennis Club has been working hard to ensure this tournament will be – as they say at the Olympics – will be the best one yet!

This event has wonderful support of Tennis Victoria, Moira Shire Council and Yarrawonga Mulwala Visitor Information Centre which makes our job that much easier.

Yarrawonga Lawn Tennis Club President Daryl Bennett with hard working sisters Gert Brunner (left) and Anna Castles.

This event would not be possible without the support also of many sponsors and we thank them very much for their generosity.

We hope you have a pleasant stay. Enjoy your time with us in the Sun Country on the mighty Murray River and happy hitting!

Yarrawonga Lawn Tennis Club

Largest tennis tournament in world – Tennis Victoria

“It is the largest tennis tournament event in the world – we had that clarified during the Australian Open.”

The comment was made by Tennis Victoria’s event organiser Bree Sharp about, and on the eve of, the five days of action starting next Monday, February 13 with the 2023 Victorian Country Tennis Association (VCTA) Country Week Tournament being hosted by Yarrawonga Lawn Tennis Club.

“In excess of 1300 players for the 213 teams will be coming into town for the event, with 26 grades and three rounds every day, 9.00am, 12 noon and 3.30pm up to finals,” Bree told the Yarrawonga Chronicle.

Rob Payne, Mick Sheahan, Rowan Harper, Warwick Henderson and Peter Moulton at the Yarrawonga Lawn Tennis Club courts last week.

The large number of players will take to 100 grass tennis courts in three locations in Yarrawonga – the club’s courts, the adjoining J C Lowe football oval, and Victoria Park’s main Stan Hargreaves cricket oval and the park’s junior ovals.

“We are really rapt and so appreciative of Moira Shire, Yarrawonga Mulwala Tourism and Yarrawonga Lawn Tennis Club for putting their hand up at the eleventh hour for this event,” Bree said.

“The event was to be held in Mooroopna and Shepparton but the 70 courses at Mooroopna could not be prepared in time because of all the wet weather.

The Victoria Park’s Stan Hargreaves Oval, with Yarrawonga Mulwala Cricket Club President and Curator Glenn Brear at the grass cutter controls, is looking a picture.

“Yarrawonga and Wodonga indicated they’d be able to host the event and so many players just love Yarrawonga.”

Yarrawonga Lawn Tennis Club has 23 grass courts and four flexi-pave courts, 30 grass courts have been produced on the football oval and Victoria Park’s cricket ovals has become 50 courts for the exciting week.

Victoria Park’s cricket ovals will transform into 50 tennis courts for the exciting week.

“We are very excited about this week’s 2023 VCTA Country Week being in Yarrawonga and welcome everyone accordingly,” Yarrawonga Lawn Tennis Club President Daryl Bennett said.

“It was 2017 when we last hosted country week. After the Shepparton event was too wet to be prepared for this week, and we were chosen late November, we have worked hard to have everything ready and in top condition for this week’s action.”

Bree has been in Yarrawonga twice this year and two weeks ago checked out the progress of courts at the three locations. “Glenn Brear is doing an amazing job at Vic Park, Warwick Henderson has the tennis club courts looking magnificent – all the grounds people are doing such an incredible job,” she said.

Preparation of the 100 tennis courts is in wonderful, experienced hands with a Victorian state award greenkeeper winner in charge of operations, Warwick Henderson.

Mr Henderson said the preparation has taken eight to 10 weeks. “It’s taken three days a week, in cases, getting them mowed down from 12mm to 3mm to provide an excellent surface which is needed for the ball to bounce,” he said.

“I’m very happy with the way the courts have come along and they will be in tip top condition for all the action.

“There’s been a good bunch of blokes on the job, all with plenty of experience.”

And such is the high quality of the man in charge. Mr Henderson, the bowls greenkeeper at Yarrawonga Mulwala Golf Club Resort, was named Greenkeeper of the Year 2018/19 by the Victorian Greenkeepers Association (VGA) and had his work described as outstanding.

Bree emphasised the hard and brilliant work in preparing the 100 grass courts. “The club has set itself up for its big Easter Tournament,” she added.

Yarrawonga Lawn Tennis Club’s Noel Thomas serves in Men’s Social Tennis last Wednesday with partner Alistair Forge. During a hard fought match, Alistair said: “You call it ‘social’ tennis – it’s fair dinkum!” Off the courts, Noel said: “They’re looking their usual high standard. Despite the number of events, staff have done a wonderful job. The courts will be in tip top shape for country week.”

Yarrawonga Mulwala Tourism & Business, working closely with Moira Shire, is committed to 2023 Country Week with a committed $20,000 as a host fee.

“Time was short, and we were up against Wodonga once the 2023 Shepparton event was cancelled,” tourism executive officer Noel Wright said last week.

“The commitment was made stretching our budget for the 2023 year. The Tourism Board viewed Country Week as a ‘must have’ for the community of Yarrawonga Mulwala knowing the dollars attached to the event and just as importantly to further extend the season beyond Australia Day.

“The economic impact of Country Week exceeds $3 million which is fantastic especially mid-week in February. It should be a business bonanza for Yarrawonga Mulwala from February 13 to 17 as accommodation is filling fast with most bookings including either the weekend before or the weekend after.”

Moira Shire Mayor Peter Lawless is looking forward to the big week. “I’ll be at some of the night functions and seeing some tennis action,” he said.

Mick Sheahan has the J C Lowe Oval looking magnificent.

“Moira Shire welcomes all players and are wished the best of luck. We hope you have a great week both on and off the court and love what we have in our shire and in Mulwala.”

Plenty of social options

The social calendar for this week’s VCTA Country Week has plenty for everyone following discussions between all the key players including local tourism officers, clubs and Tennis Victoria.

“The social calendar provides lots of options for the players,” Tennis Victoria event organiser Bree Sharp said.

In January, Tennis Victoria’s Event Organiser Bree Sharp (second from right) at the 67th Inter Regionals at the Yarrawonga Lawn Tennis Club in January, pictured with Moira Shire Mayor Peter Lawless, tennis club president Daryl Bennett and Australian tennis star Arina Rodionova.

“Players from out of town will arrive Saturday or Sunday and will be able to practise from 2.00pm to 5.00pm. Then it’s a welcome opening at the Criterion Hotel from 6.00pm. What a location - overlooking beautiful Lake Mulwala!

“Monday night will be where the legends get together for Legends Night. Big names will be there.”

The social calendar is full.

The wonderful venues and views continue, with evening entertainment at Mulwala Water Ski Club Monday and Yarrawonga Mulwala Golf Club Resort Tuesday.

The social side of Country Week Tennis is always a highlight for competitors.

At the golf club resort – Australia’s largest public access golf course with 45 holes – there will be members draws, raffles and entertainment.

Back to the Mulwala Water Ski Club on Wednesday with laser show. This new development at the ski club will thrill country week tennis players. Included in the club’s entertainment will be a theme for tennis players: Wear Something White!

The theme for Thursday night, at the Yarrawonga Mulwala Golf Club Resort, will be ‘Western Night’.