October 4, 1pm, $5 entry fee
Castlemaine Lawn Tennis Club will be hosting an exciting tennis event on Sunday October 4, 1 - 4pm. The Victoria UTR Series is a Tennis Victoria initiative and is open to juniors and adults. The Fast4 round robin format is lots of fun and all players will get to play three matches.
For any queries, please contact Graham Forbes, Castlemaine Lawn Tennis Club, 0406356466
In line with the federal and state governments partial easing of the current Covid-19 restrictions, the club will be open to players from Wednesday 13 May.
The committee have agreed to open the courts between 8am and 5pm each day. Gates at the clubhouse and at court 6 will be left open between these hours and players should only use these points to access/exit the courts. Players should provide their own balls and equipment and adopt all the relevant guidelines from Tennis Victoria, which are available at https://www.tennis.com.au/vic/news-and-events/covid-19-community-tennis-return-to-tennis
The clubhouse will remain closed as will the water fountain, whilst the outside toilet is available and hand washing facilities will be provided. Members are asked to maintain personal hygiene by washing their hands before and after play and following the current guidelines.
The grass courts were brushed last week and the hard courts pressure cleaned recently, so the facility is in great condition and ready for play. Nets on alternate courts will be temporarily removed to space out play. Use of the courts/lights at night is still under review.
The committee will reassess the situation in 2 weeks time. We look forward to seeing you back enjoying tennis at the club.
Due to Coronavirus Tennis Victoria are postponing all of their events, tournaments and competitions until further notice.
Register online at gianttennis.com.au
Join us for the official opening of our new LED light system... a visionary club moving forward into 2020, lighting our tennis courts to increase club and community participation.
Bring all your friends and family for some fun and games on AND off the courts.
Saturday 28 March 6pm
On a warm, windless evening, a good sized crowd watched Helen Kaptein play Demi Kowal for the women's singles title. It was aggressive tennis from the first serve and it looked like a 3-set thriller was inevitable. But many matches, particularly finals, are decided by a few key points. Helen won the first set 6-0 but the flow of play felt more like 3-3.
In the second set Demi adopted the "hit the ball really hard" strategy and winners started to flow, it looked like she might level the match. But Helen has stacks of trophies and flags for a reason. Receiving at 4-4 she hit two winners down the line, got the break and served out the match.
Too good... this time round. Let's hope they meet again next year. We might make them play best of 5, just so we can enjoy the show.
Our top seeds, Brodie Murray and Leigh Campbell, made it to the final without dropping a set. It was a match of contrasting styles - Brodie's athleticism, consistency and counter-punching vs Leigh's shot-making and aggressive net play.
Leigh was best early and won the first set 6-3, but Brodie settled and won the second and third sets 6-1, 6-2. In the end Brodie's patience and fitness out-lasted Leigh's know-how and shot-making. The match went for just under 2 hours.
That's two club champs in a row for Brodie and he's improving each year, so he'll be ready for a third in 2020. Some players have suggested Brodie play in gumboots or carry a few bricks to even things up - worth a thought ☺.
Congratulations to Linda Holden and Maree Sartori for winning the doubles grand final 6-4, 6-2 against Brett Fitzpatrick and Paul Puttifoot.
It was an entertaining match (the crowd was disappointed it didn't go to 3 sets) with plenty of aggressive action on the net, and played in good spirits.
That's yet another trophy for Linda and Marie, they've won almost everything that's on offer.
Special thanks to President Sam Beckett who organised and ran the club champs and umpired the men's final. He's also been busy raising funds for the club in the carpark during the Castlemaine Festival, working on the club's master plan and a 1000 other things. Please say thanks to Sam for all his hard work when you next see him.
The club has met with Lascorp, the developers of the proposed supermarket to the east of the courts.
Discussions are underway to see if there are any options for Lascorp to assist the tennis club and local community.
A federal funding application has been submitted for new LED lighting for courts 7 and 8. The total project cost is approximately $153,000 with the club funding $40,000. Fingers crossed!
Our 2018-2019 club committee was recently elected at our AGM.
President - Sam Beckett
Vice President - Graham Forbes
Secretary - Jo Rhone
Treasurer - Faye Noble
Sally Kaptein
Rob Phillips
Marion Landy
Sarah James
Brett Fitzpatrick.
We thank out-going committee members Sue Grimes and Paul Puttifoot.
We're looking forward to another exciting year with lots going on and off the courts at the club.
Altogether – it could not have gone better
Congratulations and thanks to all involved
Local tennis coaches Brandt Fleming and Aidan Fitzgerald have joined forces to offer professional tennis coaching in Castlemaine for all ages and standards.
To find out more or to register for coaching you can email end Aidan Fitzgerald at aidan@gianttennis.com.au or phone on 0422 150 911.
Welcome to Aidan and Brandt. We're excited to have them onboard and look forward to having a hit with them soon.
Brodie Murray has taken out the Castlemaine Lawn Tennis Club singles championship in a hard fought and very entertaining encounter with Mark Nascimento on Sunday 25th March.
In a very tight first set the seventh game produced 6 deuces before Mark held serve. The set featured several long rallies from the back of the court with each player testing the other’s depth of shot. At times Mark showed an attacking style as he forced Brodie into the backhand corner of the court where he often forced an error. With 4 breaks of serve, Brodie finally held serve in the 12th game to win the first set 7-5.
Early in the second set Mark held a 2-0 advantage, but Brodie broke back immediately in the third game and then won 5 consecutive games with a dazzling choice of shot whilst showing a maturity beyond his age. Mark saved a championship point in the 8th game, before going down 6-3. At 16 years of age, Brodie Murray obviously has a long tennis future ahead of him and it is hoped he will around for many years as the club approaches it’s 125th anniversary of the club championships in 2022. A thanks to Lincoln Fitzgerald for umpiring the final and Sally Kaptein for the refreshments.
The Castlemaine Lawn Tennis Club has just held its annual club championships.
Winners and Runners-Up of all events are
Big thanks to all competitors and volunteers for making the club champs a success.
Tennis Victoria Country week 2018 was held in Swan Hill, where the weather was excellent and the courts even better.
Castlemaine entered 3 teams this year (2 womens, 1 mens). They worked together beautifully, maintained concentration and hit their marks when needed... and that was just on the dance floor! On the tennis court they were even better.
The Castlemaine CCs (Women's B1) finished 5th and missed out on a finals spot by 1 point - doh! Castlemaine Rocks (Women's Special C2) also finished 5th - so close! Both teams have flags from previous campaigns and will be back next year to add to their collection.
It's taken 9 years for Castlemaine to secure a win in the mens, so congratulations to the Bootleggers who won the elite and prestigious Men's C3 grade. The Bootleggers finished the group matches on top of the ladder and maintained their laser-sharp form in the semi and grand finals. Look out Men's C2 in 2019! At one stage the Bootleggers were playing on a court adjacent to Men's A-Grade and you couldn't tell the difference*.
Shepparaton hosts Country Week for 2019. We're looking forward to it already. If you're interested in joining one of our Country Week teams for 2019 then let us know. Players of all ages and abilities are welcome and if you're a good dancer then you'll be in good company.
* That's not true, you could totally tell the difference.
ANZ invited our junior members to the ANZ Tennis Hot Shots Day at the 2018 Australian Open on Thursday 18 January. We are part of Tennis Australia’s Community Play program which is delivered at clubs with sessions run by local volunteers making tennis more accessible for children living in regional areas.
Each year, ANZ invites Community Play clubs to attend ANZ Tennis Hot Shots Day at the Australian Open which includes ground passes and travel costs. This year we were one of the lucky clubs chosen to attend.
The club members had the chance to meet three-time Paralympic gold medallist Dylan Alcott.
At our AGM we unveiled and discussed our new Castlemaine Lawn Tennis Club Masterplan (PDF).
The masterplan supports our strategic plan (completed in 2016) and outlines the short/mid/long-term plans for the entire facility.
The masterplan is in draft state and we want feedback from club members and wider community.
Please direct all questions/comments to a committee member and we'll be discussing the plan at our tennis open day from 12pm on the 22nd October.
Thanks for all committee and club members who helped put the masterplan together.
Download a copy of the Castlemaine Tennis Club Masterplan (PDF)
Castlemaine Lawn Tennis Club is ready for a great season of competition for young players aged from 7 upwards.
If you are interested to play now is the time to enrol. Either ring Graham Forbes on 0406 346 466 or email him at forbesgk@gmail.com. Expressions of interest should ideally be in by 03 September, but are welcome at any time after that.
Castlemaine Lawn Tennis Club is planning to have a bumper number of teams competing this year in the Castlemaine and District Tennis Association competition.
A junior tryout tennis day is to be held on Sunday 10 September from 9.30 – 12 noon at the Castlemaine Lawn Tennis Club. Come along and have some great tennis with other juniors in the region. Ring Graham to register for that.
If you are between 7 – 10 years old and you would like to build on your Hot Shots skills this is for you!
3.35 - 5pm on:
Register your booking by 25 July by emailing events@castlemainetennisclub.com.
Cost - $2 per session
Numbers will be limited so book early!
Bring the family to the club for a relaxed game of tennis on Sunday from 2pm. Balls supplied and of course the 'kettle' is always on for a cuppa.
We want to return to the days when Sunday afternoon tennis was just part of the social calendar and we hope to have a mix of people and ages- for new friendships and new tennis partnerships on court. We will help arrange games and can provide hot shot nets for the children.
Cost: $3.00 for members (to cover cost of new balls) and $6.00 for non-members
Barry Constable has been doing some research about the club's history. Thanks to Barry for sharing this snippet into the club's beginnings.
It is generally thought by many club members that the tennis courts have been on their present site since the late nineteenth century probably because the club champions board in the club rooms indicates that to be the case. The club did exist but not at its present site as the notes following show. The most probable site would have been the Camp Oval.
Photo: 1872-5 (from the Holterman collection, courtesy Ken McKimmie) shows the realigned creek. The Borough Council minutes of 9/3/1871 notes that "the completion of the Forest Creek channel will be considered for next year".
The completion of the channel walls effectively meant that the Western and Eastern reserves had unofficially been created.
The photo shows the two reserves separated by Wheeler Street. (The gas works is in the foreground.)
from the Melbourne Argus 7/5/1926
Replying to protests against Eastern Reserve, Castlemaine, being closed as a public reserve and leased to a tennis club, the Under Secretary for Lands (Mr H O Allan) said yesterday that a permissive occupancy had been granted to the Castlemaine Tennis Club on the recommendation of the Borough of Castlemaine. Such action had been approved by the Board of Land and Works.
The occupancy had been granted for 10 years on condition that the lessees improved the land. The club had to be open to all citizens of Castlemaine at a very low subscription. The Council had written to the department stating that the reserve was practically unimproved and little used and the council was unable to find money to improve it.
The reserve was not suitable for a cricket ground. Another area of land, known as the Western Reserve could be made into an excellent cricket ground and the tennis club had offered to put down a cricket pitch at its own expense for the returned soldiers.
Mr Allan added that the Minister for Lands (Mr Downward) had been asked to hold an inquiry into the closing of the reserve but had decided that the matter could not be reopened.
There are smiles on the faces of the players who participated in last weekend's club championships.
This was the first year that our club championships were held over the one weekend and we're delighted with the numbers and the standard of tennis. The fun the competitors had was obvious - but the competition was still keen.
We also organised a trivia night on Saturday with over 80 attending and raised just over $900.
We're very grateful to the following local businesses for supporting the event: Robinsons, Black Jack Winery, Togs Café, Taylors Home Centre, Shoestring Market, Mount Alexander Winery and the Cumberland Hotel.
The championships will be back in 2017 and we plan to build on the momentum of 2016. Watch this space.
You can now join or renew your Castlemaine Tennis Club membership securely online.
More info about online memberships and 2016/17 memberships coming soon.
For easier access to the club your court key opens 3 gates.
So next time your hitting partner shanks a backhand over the fence you'll have a short walk to retrieve you ball.
We have a shiny new website. More content and more photos will be added in the coming weeks.
Thank you to Pixel and Tonic, the makers of the excellent Craft CMS, for generously donating a Craft CMS software licence.