Lithgow City Tennis Club members were surprised on court by a visit from MP Paul Toole to announce the club’s application for a Stronger Country Communities grant had been approved.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Related stories:
The $109,000 grant will allow the club to build three ‘Hot Shots’ courts and a new hitting wall to respond to its growth in junior players.
Having smaller courts available for junior players mean they can use lighter rackets and softer balls while they grow into the game.
“It’s for the club and the juniors here. But also anyone can play on these courts, adults and teenagers, they are good for refining your skill and having a fun match of tennis,” club secretary Janene Graham said.
ANZ Hot Shots (Tennis Australia’s official development program for children) advises that smaller courts allow players under the age of 10 to develop more realistic footwork patterns, better technique and experience rallies, which are difficult for children to achieve while trying to cover a full size court.
The club started applying for grants to support their Hotshots program last year.
“I didn’t know we were going to get the grant, I hoped we would. We have been knocked back a few times. I thought we would just keep trying,” Ms Graham said.
Since club member Tracey Green started teaching juniors five years ago, the club has gone from having 20 players to 100 enrolled in its Hot Shots program.
Ms Green has also been active in teaching tennis to students at local schools.
“This is about the future of tennis in Lithgow,” Mr Toole said.
“We all know the importance of ensuring young people are active kids and this grant will certainly hit the mark for the Lithgow City Tennis Club,” he said.
The courts are owned by Lithgow City Council, but maintenance of the site is largely funded by the club.
“We’ve done a lot on our own in the past,” Ms Graham said.
She said the grant would “go very close” to covering the works they have planned for the courts, which the club hopes to complete in 12-18 months.
“We hope to achieve it in 12 months, now that the funding has come through we’ll try and get a really good start before winter hits,” club president Debbie Williams said.
Mr Toole surprised the club on Thursday, showing up for a few games on the court while the Ladies Midweek Tennis competitors were playing.
Ms Williams said the grant would help give junior players a skill they could use for years to come.
“Tennis is something that you can take with you all your life, you can always find a level at which you can enjoy yourself,” she said.