Organised social tennis has been a feature of Weston Creek Tennis Club since shortly after the first four courts were officially opened in December 1973.
In 1973 social tennis mornings commenced, while Wednesday night social tennis was a little later, commencing in the late 1970s. The social tennis mornings were held every Monday morning and were largely attended by young mothers, some of whom still play today. It was this initial group that actually arranged the planting of the elm tree which is now a wonderful feature of our club today.
Monday mornings extended to Monday and Wednesday mornings, and from the late 1970s, ladies were playing socially on Monday, Wednesday and Friday mornings. Some of the stronger ladies also played on Thursday morning as a warm up for the pennant season.
There was no one organiser of the social tennis in the mornings. Ladies took turns to organise balls, morning teas etc.
In the early 1980s the numbers playing on the social mornings started to drop off as some of the ladies returned to work. At a Weston Creek Tennis Club Committee meeting it was decided to promote the social tennis in the classified advertisements of the Canberra Times. Surprisingly, a man enquired if men could come along and if so if he could bring a couple of other men if it was OK.
Consideration to include men was received with mixed reaction. Some of the ladies were opposed to men participating, while others were comfortable with the idea. As a compromise, it was agreed that men could play but that the ladies had priority over the men if there were extras and some players had to sit out!! The men had to sit out before any of the ladies!
As more men joined the social tennis it was agreed that Monday and Friday would be mixed and Wednesday would have the ladies and men playing separately. At this stage "equality" was achieved with men being given equal access to the courts as the ladies. A new rule was introduced - where there were more than 4 players to fill a court, the last player(s) to arrive would be considered "excess" and would have to sit out until a court became free. This normally occurred when another group of four completed their 8 games. This rule applied equally to both the ladies and the men. There would be no discrimination. Equality was finally achieved!!!
Social tennis continues to be played Monday, Wednesday and Friday (including Public Holidays apart from Xmas Day). The same format remains ie mixed play, apart from Wednesday when the men and woman play separately, and players form groups of four on arrival and mix up after 8 games.
Eight courts are reserved for social tennis from 08.30 (0800 in summer) until 11.00. Players arrive at a time which suits them, keeping in mind the earlier arrival the more sets can be played.
Players of all ages and standards are welcome (although there is an expectation of some prior experience), members and non-members. There is no need to book, just turn up with a racquet, balls are provided.
Morning tea is provided after play and is a popular opportunity to socialise further, exchange plants, offer surplus home grown produce or borrow a book from the club library.
The cost to members is $2 and non-members $7, which covers the cost of the balls and includes morning tea.
For any further information, call Maggie King 0432 865 910.
Published 22 March 2022