Sport
8 December, 2023
Game, set, match
TWO tennis clubs reluctantly forced to merge believe it will lead to a boost of the sport in southern suburbs.
The combination of Earlville and Woree tennis clubs to become the temporary title of the Henley Street Tennis Club will also create the code’s second largest venue in Cairns, with eight courts, after the Cairns International Tennis Club.
The clubs will officialise the merger as Henley Street Tennis Club tomorrow with a ceremony attended by Cairns Mayor Terry James, Cr Cathy Zeiger, and club members to celebrate the relaunch and relocation of the Woree club to the upgraded venue on Lions Park.
The controversial merger, which cost over $1 million, was decided when Cairns Regional Council’s Jeff Pezzuti Park masterplan upgrade resulted in the Woree Tennis Club’s courts reduced from four to two, and with the Earlville Tennis Club located within 1.5km, the council decided a combined club would be the best option.
“It has been a really big journey, and it has been tough, especially on Woree Tennis Club, but we’ve walked with them through the journey very carefully,” said division 3 councillor Cathy Zeiger.
She said there were four extra tennis courts which were the best of the best and were of international standard.
Cr Zeiger said the courts would enable competitions to be of state and national standard.
“I believe this is a big win for tennis. This can invigorate both clubs with extra courts and a bigger carpark, and it’s only going to encourage new players to come learn and get better at what they do.”
Woree Tennis Club presidents Graham and Carolyn Goggin said they had been resistant to the change but had now embraced it. “What upsets me is we paid for those four courts built at Jeff Pezzuti, blood, sweat and tears, no grants,” said Mrs Goggin.
“The reason we’re here is because schools were worried about traffic on Windarra St and to solve that problem council put an intersection and traffic lights which meant they had to demolish two of our existing courts,” Mr Goggin said.
“There’s nothing we can do but I hope it’s a big success, we’ve been working very hard, and this has the potential to become a major tennis hub on the south side of Cairns.”
On the other hand, Earlville Tennis Club committee members are excited for the future of the club.
“We were dying, our members were dwindling rapidly,” said secretary of the Earlville Tennis Club Vanessa Petkova.
“We are looking forward to growth and new members. It’s time for new beginnings.”
Now the Henley St Tennis Club is directed by a committee of seven members from both clubs and it’s looking to get activities up and running for the school holidays.
“Right after our official opening we’ll go into school programs during the school holidays,” said Henley St Tennis Club head coach Matt McCray.
“Then we’ll hold our open day on January 25 on Australian Open finals weekend where we’ll have another membership drive and fundraiser. I’m excited to come back as bigger and better as we can.” There will also be a competition for a new club name.
