New courts herald a smashing return for Nambour Tennis

by Cameron Outridge

Nambour & Districts Tennis Association has unveiled four newly rebuilt competition-standard courts, with Sunday’s opening drawing strong community support and marking the club’s most significant upgrade in more than a decade.

The $400,000 redevelopment – backed by more than $250,000 in Queensland Government grants, a $25,000 contribution from Council and extensive club fundraising – replaces four lower-level courts that had deteriorated beyond use after years of weather damage. Their closure had cut the club’s court capacity, limited tournaments and undermined financial viability.

Sponsorship and grants coordinator Helen Jones said seeing the courts up and running was a major moment for the club. “With the new courts now fully operational we are working to re-establish the club as the premier centre for tennis in the Nambour and hinterland region,” she said.

“These courts were well past their serviceable life and unsafe,” she said. “Getting them rebuilt has completely changed what the club can offer. We can finally operate at full capacity again.”

The new hard courts are competition standard and marked for multi-use, including eight pickleball courts. Ms Jones said the upgrade was already strengthening junior development, high-level tournament capacity and the club’s rapidly expanding pickleball community, which had previously been restricted to two upper-level courts.

“This will increase participation dramatically, including for all-abilities players,” she said.

Member for Nicklin Marty Hunt presided over Sunday’s official opening on behalf of Sport Minister Tim Mander, joining club members, families and volunteers for a celebratory program of activities.

The day featured free tennis and pickleball from 11am, followed by the opening ceremony and barbecue at 1pm. A twilight doubles pickleball competition at 2pm rounded out the program, with strong entries and enthusiastic courtside support.

Nambour Tennis Club has been operating since 1922 and is located near the middle of town at 11 Washington St. For information go to www.facebook.com/NambourTennisClub. 

Nambour Tennis Club Committee on the new courts include, from left, Trevor Farrow, Alan Petts, Don Greeff, Rob Nichols, Helen Jones & Darren Trentepohl (absent: Daniel Ferguson, Bruce Fitzgerald).