By KATH GANNAWAY
IT’S grassroots tennis at it’s most relaxed, but for the Monbulk midweek ladies, two premierships is still something to celebrate.
In two close doubles grand finals, Monbulk Section 7 won by two games, 38 to 36, against Wonga Park in the Wednesday competition and their Section 9 team won by an even closer margin, 39 to 38 against Hoddles Creek in the Thursday competition.
In a change to the umpiring rules as part of the Ferntree Gully and District LWTA, the midweek games are now played at the home court of the team which finished highest on the ladder – and even the grand finals are self-umpired.
It’s a model of self-regulation that Monbulk Section 9 Captain, Deb Williams, says fits very well with the friendly nature of midweek ladies tennis.
Sitting down to a delicious lunch among the gum trees at the Hoddles Creek clubrooms, she said while it was good to win a premiership flag, it really was about enjoying the game, and the people.
When they finished fourth and Hoddles Creek third, Deb said they thought there was no way they would play off against their favourite opposition ladies.
But they both punched above their weight defeating the top two teams and found themselves hitting off in alternating bursts of icy wind and glaring bursts of sunshine on courts that, as far as anyone in the Hoddles team could remember, was a first grand final competition – certainly the first mid-week tennis.
“We were really pleased when it worked out that way; we always have such nice tennis here,” Deb said.
On the court, nice as it is, and it really is, everyone is putting in 100 per cent.
“It’s still competitive, because it gives you a focus,” Deb explains. “But really it’s not about whether you win or lose, it’s not about gauging your self-worth from either winning or losing.”
There’s a lot of talk from the four spectators on the side-lines about the benefits of tennis with one long-time player describing it as “something you can do from the cradle to the grave”.
For the mid-weekers, it’s a game many take up after retiring from busy lives, or once their children are out of home.
Deb started in her forties but said she has played with women in their eighties and possibly older.
The numbers are dropping however, and with many women working longer, it’s a challenge to fill the spots.
“I think now, a lot of families are just so time poor and midweek ladies is really a full day out, by the time you prepare food and play a full game, it’s time to go and get the kids from school, so a lot of mums just don’t have the luxury of a full day out for themselves,” she said.
For those who do, however, it’s rewarding.
“It’s women supporting women and it’s good for general wellbeing, mental health and the social interaction it provides,” Deb said.
“So many of the friendship groups I have are from my involvement in tennis.
“Without the tennis club I would not have the rich life I have and I’m very grateful for the opportunity to play.”
The Monbulk premiership teams comprised Deb Williams, Rhonda Worrell, Jenny Sloan and Mavis Lees in Section 9 and in Section 7, Helen Pratt (captain), Val van Raay, Mavis Lees, Marita Hoogeboom, Julie Holdsworth and Karin Paxinos.
Monbulk Tennis Club runs junior, senior and night tennis, as well as its midweek competition and welcome new players.
For more information, contact president Dan Currie on 0433 204 774.
