Warburton Tennis Cup Tournament organisers Paul Jackson and Christian Neilsen, with local sponsors Garry Walsh and Yvonne Higgins from Good Food Room, are looking forward to an influx of tennis fans on the Australia Day weekend.By Kath Gannaway
AS THOUSANDS of tennis fans descend on the Australian Open this week, Warburton Tennis Club is gearing up to net its own slice of the tennis-loving public.
The club is holding its inaugural Warburton Tennis Club Cup over the Australia Day Weekend, and organisers Christian Neilsen and Paul Jackson say it is shaping up to be a fantastic long-weekend of tennis.
While the primary aim is to mobilise local membership, Mr Neilsen said they had competitors coming from around the Yarra Valley and some from the inner city.
“We have about 40 entries and we’re encouraging spectators and family and friends to come along and enjoy the tennis and also take advantage of the holiday atmosphere in Warburton,” Mr Neilson said.
The tournament with Under 18, Women’s and Men’s A and B grade matches and doubles and mixed doubles, will be played on the club’s courts in the centre of the township and at the caravan park courts.
“The purpose of the tournament is not to create a competitive event, it’s more about getting people out on to the courts and playing tennis,” Mr Jackson said.
“People can play in a social tournament and at the same time have a bit of a competitive spirit in the event as well.”
Winners of each match will be decided by the ‘first to six games rule’ where players can win and progress by winning 5-5. Losers in the first round will enter ‘The Plate’, so all players are guaranteed of playing two games, and spectators are guaranteed plenty of on-court action.
Both courts are adjacent to the Yarra River and picnic areas and there are any number of cafes, shops and other attractions within easy walking distance, so lots of opportunities for spectators to do the tennis-tourist thing over what is always in Warburton a buzzing, busy weekend! The tournament is sponsored by the Warburton Community Bank and is a sanctioned tournament on the Tennis Victoria 2009 Tennis Calendar. Entries have closed for the tournament, but for further information on the weekend’s activities contact Mr Jackson on 0409 004 770 or Mr Neilsen on 0421 996 069.
