Support for new centre served up

Support is growing for a proposed regional tennis centre following presentations from Tennis Australia and Tennis West at a forum held on Monday night around the future of tennis in the Great Southern area.

As part of a feasibility study being undertaken to look at potentially building a regional tennis hub that would assist in the growth of the sport, a forum was held with around 70 people in attendance on Monday night to hear from the Tennis West and Tennis Australia representatives.

Tennis West discussed its strategic plan at the forum and how that plan is specific to the Lower Great Southern Tennis Association, relating to their push for a regional tennis centre.

Representatives from local clubs Merrifield Park, Lawley Park, Emu Point, Denmark, Kendenup and Mt Barker were in the room and question-and-answer time allowed them to raise items with the key stakeholders.

LGSTA vice-president Les Bairstow said the forum was a success and going forward would help in their bid for a facility that would be vital to the sport’s future.

“The Tennis West strategic plan outlined the project pathway that we need to take moving forward,” Bairstow said.

“They showed us the pathway we need to take to get to the end result, which is developing a regional tennis centre.

“That is what the association wants to get to and Tennis West and Tennis Australia are right behind this and can see it’s the way to go.

“This is absolutely essential for the growth of the sport and will bring Albany up to speed with other centres.

“We have three clubs within the immediate City of Albany boundary and they all maintain three facilities and have the same funding opportunities.

“For coaching purposes have a modern facility under lights is key.”

In other local tennis news, Vincent Brochard has taken the reins as junior coach at Lawley Park, replacing David Kerr.

Brochard has a passion for coaching and will also look after school tennis programs while Kerr will take a step back but continue coaching at Merrifield Park and his private business.