New courts boost junior tennis

BALLARAT Regional Tennis Centre will improve its junior offerings with the installation of six new, smaller ‘hot shot’ courts for four to eleven-year-old players.

Also upgrading court lights to sustainable LED systems, the BRTC is receiving $1,020,932 from the State, $130,000 from the City of Ballarat, and the Centre is contributing $13,000 themselves.

BRTC president Chris Alcock said the works are arriving at a time where tennis participation is growing in Ballarat.

Three hundred children compete at the facility on Saturday mornings, and the new ‘hot shot’ courts will mean an additional 100 could have a hit at the same time.

“It’s awesome to see we’ve got the opportunity to put more juniors into it and fuel the pipeline ahead. It all starts at the junior ages, and goes right through to the seniors,” he said.

“The lighting will be pivotal for all ages to continue playing tennis. We are thrilled, and it will be great to make BRTC the hub for tennis in Western Victoria. This is just the start.”

City of Ballarat mayor Cr Daniel Moloney said this shovel-ready project at Hollioake Park is part of the broader rejuvenation of Wendouree’s “ageing infrastructure.”

“This park area’s always been a massive sporting precinct for Ballarat. Constant upgrades are necessary here, especially as Wendouree’s demographics change with an older population now, and younger families coming in… and our new growth zone to the north,” he said.

“We need to make sure the facilities are there. Think Wendouree to Wimbledon.”