Buninyong serves juniors summer tennis

BUNINYONG and District Tennis Association will ensure their junior summer competition continues in some capacity, mindful that strict COVID-19 restrictions may be in place.

Juniors’ vice president, Hayley Quach there is a “plan A and plan B” in the works to ensure the clubs in their catchment, between Smythesdale, Rokewood, Ballan and Warrenheip are engaged.

“There will either be our weekly competition, or a competition aligning with any restrictions in place,” she said.

“We’re set to start on October 10th, but we may start the season a bit later with only singles and restricted numbers, or if we’re locked down at home, we have a scale of ideas for tennis fitness challenges or tennis-themed challenges, so the kids can still participate.”

If the season does run to the preferred plan, the committee has made some changes to the junior competition to ensure its flexibility, and make it easy for children to get involved.

“Our A, B and top C grades are now all two-player teams instead of four-player teams. That will alleviate the numbers struggle when filling a team,” Ms Quach said.

“C1 grade will play doubles and singles in their two-player teams.”

The C5-6 competitors have typically played with green dot, lower compression balls, but this is shifting too.

“We’re turning those section into orange dot balls, an even lower compression ball, so they won’t bounce over the kids heads, they can get in and hit them hard without them flying to the back of the court.

“They’ll also play will smaller sized net on a modified, smaller court-size, and will have a dedicated organiser, working on developing the kids’ match skills over the season,” Ms Quach said.

Players enter via their clubs but can register as individuals. A team doesn’t need to be formed which means they can be absent from a round of competition without impacting other players.

Those interested can contact a local clubs involved in the competition, either Ballan, Ballarat Lawn, Buninyong, Dunnstown, Elaine, Gordon, Grenville, Haddon, Mount Helen, Napoleons, Navigators, Meredith, Rokewood, Ross Creek, Smythesdale or Warrenheip.

The matches run on a home and away system, cycling around every few weeks, so all players have a chance to hit at the Buninyong Tennis Centre.

“That’s to foster a sense of community and encourage the players to get to know the other young people in their section,” Ms Quach said.

Visit buninyongtennis.org.au or call 0403 668 029.