Tennis Geelong crowned its Saturday competition premiers throughout April, capping a positive return to community sport.
Like so many other sports, it has been a difficult two years. But after a number of Covid-19-interupted seasons, the 2021-22 summer season delivered a clean run.
Having started the season slightly behind schedule due to the pandemic, the summer season ran smoothly as players returned to the courts and clubrooms in great numbers.
Tennis Geelong president Donna Schoenmaekers was extremely pleased to see a strong return to the court from players around the region, with numbers returning to pre-Covid levels.
"Summer numbers were pretty much back to pre-Covid numbers,” Schoenmaekers told The First Serve.
"We started the season a bit later ... but at least we got through it, no lockdowns, no interruptions along the way.”
Schoenmaekers said navigating their way through the last couple of years did have its stressful moments, but all in all she was really happy with how Tennis Geelong and the playing community worked its way through such a difficult time.
The impressive return showed how important tennis is to those that pick up the racquet every week, not just from a physical standpoint, but the social aspects as well.
"Last winter numbers were down a little bit, but not as much as I thought they would be. I think because it was about the only thing you could do ... we had a few that wouldn't normally play, they did, but then there were some that were a bit more cautious. But you're always guessing as to what it would've been like (if it weren't for Covid).”
Among the top sections around Geelong there were some tightly fought grand finals contested.
In the section one mixed competition, it was a battle between familiar faces as Grovedale Gold took on Grovedale Yellow, Gold prevailing four sets to two.
In the men’s section one competition, it was a comprehensive display from Grovedale as it toppled Waurn Ponds, six sets to love, capping a memorable day for Grovedale Tennis Club.
Highton claimed the section two mixed premiership, defeating Moriac, four sets to two. While on the men’s side, it went down to the wire between Wandana Heights and Newcomb. Tied at three sets apiece, Newcomb prevailed by three games.
Hamlyn Park proved far too strong for Moolap, winning the section three men’s premiership, six sets to love. While in section three mixed, it was Clifton Springs which claimed a five sets to one win over Wandana Heights White.
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