OAK FLATS TENNIS SHINING BRIGHT

STRENGTH to strength is the theme coming out of Oak Flats Tennis Club at the moment.

Since the year 2000 member numbers have been on the increase, which happened to coincide with a change of committee and the appointment of new coach, Alec Pero.

There are currently 14 junior teams competing every Saturday in addition to eight mens, four ladies and two mixed teams.

Club Secretary June Arnold speaks passionately about the club and attributes the success to a simple, yet effective formula.

When the new committee was appointed back in 2000 the first thing we did was appoint Alec as coach, she said.

The committee has a great working relationship with the coaching staff and is hard working.

With other clubs struggling in the area I feel that this working relationship is the reason for our success as a club, she added.

In a short space of time, with a committee focused on action, the club now has upgraded the clubhouse, that includes a new kitchen and a tennis shop, resurfaced all four courts and a new fence was added to the front courts, with the assistance of Shellharbour Council.

With the long term goal of further increasing player numbers in junior and senior numbers the needs of the club have increased as Mr Pero explains,

The long term goal definitely is increasing our numbers even further, we remain committed to ensuring we get more courts.

We would be happy with two but the aim is four, said Pero.

Proving that the club are committed to the needs of its members, Pero added,

The majority of competition are on hard courts, so in order for our players to train in appropriate conditions, we need hard court facilities at the club.

The club has a proud history since its inception in 1971 and caters for all ages according to Mrs Arnold,

Some of our members are in their 80s and love playing and have done so for many years.

The wish for more courts could soon become a reality as Tennis NSW recently visited to discuss and identify the needs of all clubs in the region.

The state body will be sending a completed funding submission to council in the next week, which will ensure that people of all ages continue to enjoy the game they all love.

OFTC2.JPG