Yarrawonga Kids enjoying that tennis is back for the summer.
Photo by
Yarrawonga Lawn Tennis club
Saturday mornings were back at the Yarrawonga Lawn Tennis Club, and it was terrific to see so many kids on the courts enjoying themselves. With 232 players registered across the various programs, the club is set for a fantastic season. The significant increase in participation is a great sign for the future of the Yarrawonga Lawn Tennis Club.
Hold tight - we’re checking permissions before loading more content
The Hot Shots program is designed for novice players aged between five and seven. The kids learn the fundamentals of tennis on smaller courts using low-compression tennis balls. Minor games and skill development are combined in the 40-minute sessions, keeping the kids entertained while they learn new skills.
The group thoroughly enjoyed its first morning under the tutelage of Lucy Bassett, supported by assistants Hayley Bennett, Demi Rhodes, Tess Bassett and Emily Linehan. Parental assistance is essential to the success of this program, and it was great to see so many parents getting involved.
The Coaching program is the next step in the Saturday morning tennis journey and caters for players aged between seven and 11. Club coach Grant Kendall oversees the group, focusing on continued skill development and preparing players for match play. With talented club juniors Thomas Lawrence, Olivia Lewis, Emily Linehan and Elli Buerckner also sharing their knowledge, the group is well placed to make significant improvements throughout the season.
Yarrawonga Tennis had alot of kids sign up for the first weekend.
Photo by
Yarrawonga Lawn Tennis Club
The number of players participating in match play has reached another amazing level, with 88 names currently on the list. Players attending on Saturday took part in a fun game of ‘Up and Down the River’, ensuring everyone hit plenty of balls during the session.
While some players were a little rusty early on, it did not take long for the rallies to lengthen, with some fantastic shots on display.
With participation numbers for the Saturday junior program continuing to grow, the club has taken positive steps to ensure plenty of coaches are available and players get as many opportunities to hit the ball as possible.
There are still places available in the 10.20 am Hot Shots and Coaching groups. Anyone interested in joining is encouraged to contact Lisa Linehan or Jason Bassett as soon as possible.
A junior squad program will also commence soon on Wednesday afternoons. The squad is overseen by experienced coach Grant Kendall, who provides a range of drills designed to develop players’ strokes and tactical awareness.
Grant and his coaching team also provide junior group coaching sessions during the week. These sessions are a great way for juniors to have fun while improving their tennis. Combining a weekday practice session with Saturday morning match play is an ideal way to develop skills and confidence. For younger players, the more opportunities they have to get on court, the quicker they will improve.
Kids were learning the fundamentals of tennis
Photo by
Yarrawonga Lawn Tennis Club
Wilby and District Tennis Association
The local Wilby and District Tennis Association commenced its season on the weekend, with six teams competing this year. Association secretary Dario Prighel has been busy preparing for the season, putting together a 10-round fixture followed by finals.
The competition sees the powerhouse local communities of Burramine, Mulwala, Savernake, Telford, Tungamah and Wilby battle it out each week. Each team comprises four men and four women, with every player contesting four sets of tennis.
The competition caters for a wide range of ages and abilities and has been a breeding ground for some of the district’s finest players over many decades.
Reigning premiers Telford hosted Savernake on the grass courts at Yarrawonga. Telford flexed its muscles in the men’s section, winning all six sets. Craig Stevenson, Andrew Brew, Andrew Banks and Finn Mitchell were in fantastic early-season form.
Telford also dominated the women’s section, winning five sets, with Laura Nunn and Emma Pearce claiming all three of their sets. Angelique Bruce and Georgie Bruce combined to win Savernake’s only set for the night.
Telford continued its strong performance in the mixed section, winning all four sets to take the overall result by 54 games and secure all eight points.
Tungamah hosted Burramine on the banks of Boosey Creek. Tungamah’s men played superbly to win all six sets, with the young brigade of Thomas Lawrence, Tague Saunders, Ernie Buerckner and Tyler Buerckner hitting the ball exceptionally well.
Tungamah also claimed the women’s section, winning five sets. Elli Buerckner and Annabelle Buerckner won all their matches, while Burramine’s Kirsty Skene and Loz Wallace combined to claim a set for their team.
Tungamah carried its form into the mixed section, winning three of the four sets. The overall result was a 63-game victory, earning Tungamah nine points.
Unfortunately, due to prior commitments, Mulwala was unable to field a side against Wilby.
This week’s matches commence on Friday night, with Mulwala hosting Tungamah, Wilby travelling to Savernake, and Telford taking on Burramine at Yarrawonga.
Anyone interested in playing for one of these teams is encouraged to contact association president John Wright.
Goulburn Murray Tennis
The Goulburn Murray Tennis Association also got underway on the weekend. In exciting news, Yarrawonga has again entered a Division 4 team this season, providing another opportunity for local players to compete in the association.
Yarrawonga travelled to Numurkah, with both teams enjoying a great day of tennis. Veteran Aidan Humphry was Yarrawonga’s standout performer, winning all three of his sets. Xavier Chessells was also in good form, winning both his singles and doubles matches.
Thomas Lawrence, Danielle Lawrence, Angela Mitchell and Renee Byrne each contributed a set. The teams finished level at five sets apiece, but Yarrawonga claimed the overall result on games, winning 62–55.
Yarrawonga has enjoyed a long association with the Numurkah Tennis Club, and that connection will continue this season, with several Yarrawonga players representing Numurkah in its Division 1 and Division 2 teams.
On Saturday, Tess Bassett and Lucy Bassett both represented Numurkah’s Division 2 side against Mooroopna. The sisters demonstrated their class, each winning all three of their sets for the day. Numurkah won six sets to five and secured the overall result 70–52 on games.
Numurkah’s Division 1 team has enjoyed an unprecedented five consecutive premierships and will again be looking to field a strong side this season. The team had the bye on Saturday.
Thursday Ladies Competition
The Thursday Ladies Competition will commence on October 22, with anyone interested encouraged to contact Narelle Bassett.
Players enter individually, with teams created to ensure opponents are evenly matched and new players can easily find a team. Organisers have also introduced two shorter seasons to better suit the needs of participating players.
Numbers have increased significantly compared with previous years, and with entries closing on October 16, the club hopes to see even more ladies get involved.
Tuesday Men’s Tennis
The popular Tuesday Men’s Competition will begin on Tuesday, November 10. Organiser Ash Wheaton has already started taking names and is keen to hear from any new players interested in joining.
Players enter individually, with evenly matched teams created to ensure competitive and enjoyable tennis for everyone. The season runs until early March and is always a fantastic combination of tennis, socialising and fun.
Registrations close on October 23, so anyone interested is encouraged to get in touch.
Rock up and play sessions
The Yarrawonga Lawn Tennis Club offers social, aggregate-style tennis at several times throughout the week. These sessions provide a fantastic opportunity for new players to try tennis before committing to club membership.
Players can simply turn up and sign in on the day, with the Tuesday morning ladies’ session commencing at 9.00 am and the Wednesday men’s social hit starting at 1.00 pm.
There is no obligation to attend every week. However, once players have given it a try, they might find it hard not to keep coming back.
Whether experienced, returning to the sport or picking up a racquet for the first time, players will find plenty of opportunities to get involved. With junior numbers booming and competitions catering for a wide range of ages and abilities, it is shaping up to be another terrific season at the Yarrawonga Lawn Tennis Club.
