By Tanya Faulkner
From sweaty shorts and sneakers to suit and tie, a local sporting club is shining bright in Ferntree Gully.
The Ferntree Gully Tennis Club has come away with the win for Most Outstanding Inclusion Initiative for their All abilities program at the recent Victoria Tennis awards for 2023.
Ferntree Gully Tennis Club president Paul Proctor, who received the award on behalf of the club, said it was fantastic to have taken the win.
“It’s a very rewarding moment for everyone.
“To be representing the club as president, it’s been a lot of hard work over the years talking with people like Blind Tennis, and people from Special Olympics Australia, who we are now affiliated with the Eastern Ranges branch.
“We’re so grateful for our peers who have voted for us, and to have been in such high calibre company on the night,” he said.
The 2023 Victorian Tennis Awards took place on Tuesday 17 October at Kooyong Lawn Tennis Club.
Mr Proctor said some of Australia’s tennis greats were in attendance at the awards night, and it was a privilege to have been amongst those crowds.
“Being in that company was quite special, and showed what kind of impact you can have in what you think is a large organisation – even as a small club,” he said.
For the club president, and vice president Justin Metcalf, it’s not just about the award, but those behind the work leading to this recognition.
“We want to give a special mention to Rebecca, Kylie and our committee members – who are all volunteers – and do a great job supporting us week in and week out, on and off the court.
“There’s a lot of admin to make these programs happen, and while what we have on the court is amazing, the peripheral things for more accessibility and inclusion around the club is also amazing.
“We also want to give thanks to the Ferntree Gully branch of Bendigo Bank who have been very supportive of us,” said Mr Metcalf.
Mr Proctor added the award represents all of the hard work that went on behind the scenes during Covid-19 to get their All Abilities program off the ground to where it is today.
For club member Andrea Johnson, the club hasn’t just brought accessibility to its members within the club, but also in the wider community.
“My daughter, Bonnie, who plays at the club has also been getting work experience within the club.
“This extra work experience in the tennis club has helped her lead a sort-of mainstream life outside of the club and in the Knox community,” she said.
Alongside the new courts opened earlier this year, the club also has a commitment from Knox City Council to upgrade the inside of the club for its members.
Recently the club collaborated with the Doncaster Tennis Club for its first all abilities tournament, which was hosted at the Ferntree Gully Tennis Club.
The event was a great success, for both the players and the clubs establishing a new relationship in the Victorian tennis community.
Ferntree Gully Tennis Club are gearing up to take their players to Doncaster in the new year for the second tournament event.
More information on the club can be found at play.tennis.com.au/ferntreegullytennisclub
