More than 200 players took to Mildura Lawn Tennis Club’s courts last weekend for the 64th Tennis Victoria Inter-Regional Country Championships. Goulburn was too strong on the court, claiming their fourth consecutive win, but Mildura Lawn Tennis Club showed its own strength in capably keeping things running across the three days. Angus Dearlove takes a look behind the scenes. Picture: Carmel Zaccone
IT takes a lot of hard work off the court to make a big tennis tournament work.
Mildura Lawn Tennis Club hosted the 64th Tennis Victoria Inter-Regional Country Championships last weekend, with more than 200 players and many more spectators and support crew coming through the club throughout the three days.
Manning the kitchen and bar are just some of the tasks MLTC volunteers were responsible for, while curator Shane Moritz and his team worked hard in the lead-up getting Mildura’s courts in their usual tip-top shape.
Their efforts were certainly not lost on tournament director Shelly Hart.
“Mildura Lawn Tennis Club and Shane the curator have been in amazing, in the lead-up organising everything,” she says.
“The world class tennis courts from Shane have been amazing. They got lots of compliments over the weekend.
“But then their efforts over the long days manning the kitchen, kiosk and then the bar in the evenings was well patronised.”
The tournament was a big boost for Mildura itself, with plenty of visitors coming in and spending money on accommodation and food.
“I think over the weekend, including spectators and parents, we’d be looking at more than 500 people at the club each day, which is great for the club and the city as well,” Hart says.
Goulbutn won their fourth title in a row at the annual teams and individual tournament played in early January over three days at a regional venue in Victoria.
After the completion of the three days of play, Goulburn had amassed 347 points, well clear of runner-up Loddon Campaspe on 222.
Northern Mallee, which features Mildura players, rounded out the podium in third place on 167 points.
Goulburn’s win, highlighted by open singles wins to Jarrod Bingham and Eliza Long, comes on the back of their 2017, 2018 and 2019 wins.
The 2021 Inter-Regional Country Championships will be hosted by the South West region at Warrnambool Lawn Tennis Club.
