Dual Aussie Champ Melanie Butler in Action

A very BIG thanks to all supporters, sponsors and partners who made the Championships a huge success!!

Complete Function Hire

Tournament report

Once again this years Aussie Champs were an amazing success. As we strive to implement the sport acrross the nation, you get the feeling exciting things are about to happen for the sport. With the support of many people who volunteered their time and help, it enables us all to keep the passion burning brightly.

With over 20 International players, it was great to see the tournament retain its International flavour. This also demonstrated that our Australian players take up the challenge to the might of the Europeans who have had quite a headstart in playing beach tennis.

Local residents and interested spectators swarmed to marvel at the skill of all players competing at the highest level. In both the Open, fun section and Junior event the energy created on the sand, was fantastic.

In the Womens Open it was great to see an overseas representation of 6 International to bolster the field. Equal to the task our Aussie girls, took up the challenge with a 1.2.3 podium.with Mel Butler taking out the crown, with Belinda O'Connor second and them both teaming up together for the Open Doubles honors. With occassional suspects Anna Brown and Kellie de Burgh coming runners up. The french pair, Marie and Isabella gave Mel and Bel a fright in the early rounds sending them packing to the bottom draw, but they fought their way back, a determined Sandfly duo, showed that their experience together, was a major factor.

The Men's again also brought a quality field and with an International and Interstate flavour. It was the might of the French and the fitness of Bertrand Coulet ( Aka Mr Aruba) that saw them fight to the finish, and demontrate the commitment to the game he loves. Rubin Statham our local ATP Touring professional put in a David and Goliath effort to go down in a tiebreak, but once again the bar has been raised.

Teaming up with his brother the Coulet brother went back to back to win the Open Doubles. Once again they were extended to their limits by our raw local talent and in a thrilling match James Knaggs and Paul Mapley bundled them into the eliminattion draw. The true test came as they fought back to sneak into the final and defeat fellow countymen Sanson/Sanson. Alle, Alle, Alle!!!!

Our ability to embrace all forms of the sport, saw the mixed Doubles section won by Belinda O'Connonnor/Michael Staniak, This is a great event ands one that adds interesting dynamics and shows what a great leveller the sport is. Over 35's section gave Coulet a clean sweep and teaming with, with Jeff Quilici they were taken to the wire by a stoic Dean Metcher and Paul Mapley .

For the first time we saw he Fun Section of the Tournament become a feature, It great to see our new players immerse themselves and get involved in the spirit and sportsmanship of beach tennis and get a real taste for it. Many of those who participated in our "Coach, Train and Play" program and regular Sunday Social players took part, to add thier spice to the tournament. It saw many of our local legends vome out of the wood work and chance thier arm at the title. Annie and AB took out the Open Fun Mixed with an arousing display of teamwork and spirit. It was then Courtney and Kate who were triumphant in the Womens, to nudge out Anne and Sian, who donning the Manchester Reds uniform went horribly close to a title.

The juniors on the Friday showed that even in the windiest of conditions, you can have Fun and particpate at your best. The Juniors saw our French import from Reunion Island take the Open, however it was not with out a fight from homegrown talents, who now are hungrier to learn the game.A special mention goes to 7 year old Elliot Coulet from Reunion who made his debut in International beach tennis and teamed with Roman Say to finish 3rd in the boys Doubles., a supreme effort and true reflection of the spirit of the game.We also saw a spirinkling of Interstae players and Charlie Godbar (Brisbane) triumphant in the 12 and under. Local gold Medalist Oli Randall made a welcome return to his second championship, teaming up with Nick Star, to take the Open Doubles. It was great to see also the new players and those players who have returned to play in this speacial event. It will only get bigger as the word gets around.

see

www.beachtennis.com.au

in coming days for great photos

Coach, Train and Play

Thursday night for beach tennis

If you are new to beach tennis or any racquet game then Coach, Train and Play is for you.  Next 4 week session begins on February 5th, 12th, 19th, 26th

Join on your own and we will find a group for you or with a group of friends and have fun together, while getting fit!

Time: 6:30pm till 7:30pm

Date:  February 5th, 12th, 19th, 26th.

Where:  Port Melbourne beach

Format:  4 week session, payable on first night

Cost:  $80 for 4 consecutive weeks

Equipment:  All equipment provided including racquets

Make up lessons for wet/or extreme heat weather.

When was the last time you did something for the first time?