Preparations for the Bairnsdale Tennis Club’s 77th annual Labour Day tennis tournament this weekend are in full swing.
The three-day event will be held from Saturday-Monday this weekend, is one of East Gippsland’s largest and longest running sporting events attracting players from interstate, Melbourne and regional Victoria.
The event has long had a reputation of being country Victoria’s family tennis tournament with generations of families returning each year to play.
The tournament features events for all levels and age groups from under 10s to over 60s, as well as singles, doubles and mixed doubles in most grades.
The open events will once again feature top level tennis in both the men’s and ladies’ events, with the winners’ trophy much sought after as are the bragging rights for the next 12 months that go with it.
With entries rolling in tournament director Brian McKail and club president Margaret Supplitt are confident numbers will exceed last year’s total of 180.
The annual tournament provides an opportunity to showcase Bairnsdale and surrounds, while providing a bonus for local retail, hospitality and accommodation businesses, many of which are long-time supporters of the club.
A highlight of this year’s tournament will be a demonstration of para standing tennis (PST) featuring local Luke Missen, a recent winner of this year’s Australian Open in his category. PST is tennis for people with a disability who play without a wheelchair, and is played in 21 countries worldwide and is supported by the International Tennis Federation.
A feature of each year’s tournament is the club’s annual spit roast dinner held on the Saturday night which is an opportunity for many current and former players, along with their families to get together and reminisce.
There will also be a hamburger night on the Sunday night as well breakfast being available each day.
