I’d like to welcome you all to what is the second AGM of 2022. Due to covid interruptions, we have now reverted back to our normal November schedule.

This being my first year as President – well almost 10 months to be exact – I’d like to acknowledge the tremendous support I’ve received from the committee.

As you’ve heard from James, we are fortunate to be in a very strong financial position.

My aim as President is to ensure this continues, whilst ensuring our facilities and courts are maintained to a satisfactory level for the enjoyment of all members.

In the next year we will be developing a 5-10 year plan for the club – keeping in mind that we will require a court overhaul in the next 5 years.

Membership:

We have a total membership base of approximately 510 members which includes Social Club members and Junior Members. Our Senior Membership stands at approximately 370.

This year we managed to offer 18 Senior Playing memberships to those on the waiting list and approximately 18 Junior Playing memberships.

Our waiting list is approximately 400 long and this equates to a 5 year waiting period for new applicants.

As a committee, we are keen to ensure subscriptions are paid as promptly as possible in order to ensure we know how many new offers we can provide to waiting list members.

Tiger Turf: We have on ongoing maintenance agreement with Tiger Turf. Every 3 months they visit the courts and provide maintenance for the club.

Gate/Drainage: There are ongoing repairs which we have in place to resolve the issues with the gate and drainage of the courts.

We have replaced some boards on the verandah and given them a stain.

We have purchased a court roller.

Community Initiative:

The committee has fully supported a fantastic initiative being driven by Club Champion Nick Hinneberg and  Committee member Bruce Easton. This program involves introducing Tennis to children and families at the Park Towers. The initial program involved a welcome day at PArk Towers where we had good interest from the locals. There will be subsequent sessions held for a period of 3-4 week at the Park Towers and will culminate with a family day at the club in December. This is not a once off program – and we hope to continue this program and build on it over the coming years.

Website:

We have engaged Melinda Rochford – one of our members and a graphic designer – to overhaul our website. This will provide a much needed lift to our current website – I believe the existing site was developed in the early 2000s. It will provide an opportunity to increase our social media presence as well as provide a branding uplift to the Albert Park Tennis Club.

Men’s Team:

Currently sitting on top of the Mens Rubbers Saturday competition with a healthy percentage. We have a great mix of experience and youth in the team.

Women’s Team:

The women’s team continue to enjoy good results, currently sitting fifth in the Thursday AM section.

Club Championships:

Men’s Singles Final: Great event and great tennis was displayed by Nick and Sean Collins – Nick outlasting Sean in a great three set match.

Women’s Singles Final: Rebecca and Michelle played an entertaining match with an unfortunate conclusion. Rebecca injured herself in the last game. Michelle was magnanimous in that she didn’t want to take victory and we will repeat the final.

Men’s Doubles: Nick and Alan won a tough match against Leon and Dominic defeating them in two sets.

Next years club championships will run in March/April.

Junior Club Championships: Once again our coach Nicole Bruce Smith will hold and run the Junior Club championships – this time in December.

Committee resignation:

Unfortunately Alison Hamilton has decided to resign from the committee  due to family and work commitments – we wholeheartedly thank her for her work for the committee over the last couple of years – especially with her involvement in the website and Junior booklet – which she was very passionate about.

Finally, I’d like to acknowledge the passing of a very popular member Peter Keddie. I must admit I knew Peter only on a superficial level, but what struck me about him was that he was one of those people that would always mean it when he asked “how are you” – he was genuinely interested –  it was not just a throw away greeting.

Thankyou all.