The Deloraine Tennis Club is more than just a place to play tennis—it’s a vital part of the community. Mark Bailey, the club’s treasurer, explains the appeal. “We’ve got four courts here and about 50 members,” he says, but it’s not just about the numbers. For Mark, tennis runs deep in his veins. “My father actually played for Australia … he played at Wimbledon and did the European tour.”
Clearly, tennis is a family affair for Mark—his twin brother even works for the USTA in Florida as a tennis footwork coach, but Mark’s journey has been quite different. “I learned to play tennis as a kid, and then four years ago, when I came to Deloraine, I started playing again… and I’m using my dad’s racquet, which is nice.”
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The Deloraine Tennis Club is a place for both casual play and competition. “It’s been a great thing for the community… you can come and have a hit, and it’s very social. But for those who like a bit of competition, we’ve got teams that play regularly,” Mark says. The club participates in the North West Tasmanian competitions, fielding five teams in total. “We’ve got three midweek ladies teams, and I think we have an A team and a C team on the weeknights.”
Social play is also popular at the club, with regular Wednesday night and Sunday sessions. “On a Wednesday night, we often get 8 to 10 people, sometimes up to 15,” Mark adds, highlighting the inclusivity of the club.
The Deloraine Tennis Club may only boast a handful of courts, but each offers a unique playing experience. “We’ve got two hard courts, and two others—one mod grass and one loam,” Mark says. While some are showing their age, the club has big plans for the future. “We’re looking for a government grant to replace the hard courts… we’ve already done the work to understand how much it’ll cost.”
Lighting is also part of the club’s upgrade plans. “We have a $70,000 grant to put in new lights. We’ve done two courts with LED lights, and we’re in the process of getting the other two done.”
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The upgrades have been supported by the local Bendigo Bank in Deloraine. “They’ve given us a $10,000 sponsorship, and we’re hoping there might be more to come,” Mark says with a hopeful smile.
The club is eager to welcome new members and make it easier than ever to get involved. “We’ve connected with Play Tennis, a website… You can literally go online, pay $10, and book a time,” Mark explains. Membership is also affordable, with annual fees of $110 for individuals and $150 for families. “Students can play for $25 a year,”
Mark is especially proud of the club’s recent growth. “Our membership grew 38% last year, largely because of being more online and making access easier.” He encourages anyone interested to give it a go. “We’ve had people from the caravan park just come and play, people who haven’t played for years but want to start again.”
The club also provides coaching for those looking to improve their game. “Jason Fletcher is our coach,” Mark says, “he coaches here and in Launceston.” The club has been active in getting young people involved too. “Last year, the club supported Jason in getting the local primary school to come down for a clinic, and we expect more people to come and play tennis because of that.”
Mark is excited to see local kids succeed in tennis.
“There are at least three or four kids here who are part of the Tasmanian state teams,”
“We just like people to come and play tennis, really. The more, the merrier, and that’s helpful for the club.”
As Deloraine Tennis Club looks forward to more upgrades and increased membership, the club continues to be a welcoming space for players of all ages and abilities. With affordable rates, good facilities, and a friendly community, the Deloraine Tennis Club is a shining example of what a local sports club should be.
