More than 1000 tennis players from 178 teams from across Regional Victoria have converged on Swan Hill for the 29th annual Country Week Tennis Tournament.
And Sports Minister James Merlino said this year’s event was bigger and better than ever when kick-starting the second day’s play today.
“Victorians love their sport and that’s why we’re investing heavily in grassroots sporting infrastructure to ensure our communities are strong, happy, healthy and active,” Mr Merlino said.
“Tennis is a great sport which allows people of all ages and abilities to participate and enjoy all the benefits of an active lifestyle.
“It’s inspirational to see such a diverse mix of tennis competitors register to play across 22 grades, especially the over-60’s age group, and it speaks loudly about how much Victorians love their sport, especially their tennis.
Mr Merlino said the Brumby Labor Government was taking action to ensure local communities had the facilities they need to encourage healthy, active involvement in all forms of sport.
“The Victorian Government has invested more than $192 million through its Community Facility Funding Program since 2000 towards more than 2,000 projects and a further $27.7 million to over 590 drought-related initiatives,” Mr Merlino said.
“A number of these projects have provided a boost for the same regional clubs that the competitors are representing here at the tournament throughout the week.
“From Kinglake to Tallangatta, we’ve helped to reinvigorate regional tennis by upgrading clubhouses; installing competition standard hard court and synthetic surfaces; and restoring club facilities destroyed by the recent Black Saturday bushfires; the list is endless.
“To everyone involved in organising the event, especially the Victorian Country Tennis Association (VCTA), and host Swan Hill Lawn Tennis Club, well done.
“The week is testimony to the great coordination and hospitality of the Swan Hill Lawn Tennis Club and the quality of the fantastic sporting facilities on offer here in the Swan Hill District and throughout regional Victoria.”