Club planning, management and sustainability

Tennis SA is committed to strengthening the long‑term sustainability and growth of tennis participation by ensuring that communities across South Australia have access to welcoming, well‑run places to enjoy the sport.

With more than 300 venues across Adelaide and regional South Australia, tennis is widely accessible and delivered through diverse facilities and services.

The Tennis SA Places to Play Strategic Plan provides clear guidance for responsible investment, management and development of these venues, ensuring they remain sustainable, inclusive and beneficial for the entire community for the years to come. It also highlights our partnerships with government departments and key stakeholders.

The Tennis SA Places to Play Strategic Plan focuses on four strategic priorities:

• Strategic priority 1
  Focuses on identifying facility gaps, prioritising urgent upgrade needs and creating a project plan to deliver improvements at the required venues.
• Strategic priority 2
  Seeks to deepen our collaboration with government departments, enabling greater access to funding and resources for tennis venues.
• Strategic priority 3
  Aims to deliver great tennis experiences by ensuring high‑quality venues, programs, and services are easily accessible across the state.
• Strategic priority 4
  Seeks to plan for and develop new facilities across major growth areas, schools and community spaces.

Our Tennis Development team works with clubs, venues and government departments to deliver on the four key priorities mentioned above and introduce innovative ways to deliver the sport. 

Developing a tennis plan is important for the long-term success of venues within a Local Government Area (LGA). The effective planning and development of tennis will deliver a range of outcomes based on the mutual interests of both tennis and local government. 

Understanding the current provision and performance of tennis venues is a crucial first step in effective planning. Benchmarking courts, services and overall venue performance against similar demographic regions helps identify priority areas for improvement.  

The Health Indicator of Tennis (HIT) Tool supports this process by turning participation, financial and facility data into practical insights and benchmarks, giving LGAs an aggregated view of venue health across their area. 

A HIT Audit provides a comprehensive picture of each venue’s strengths and needs. These insights help guide more informed and sustainable decision‑making for the future of tennis venues. 

It is recommended that venues complete an audit every two years to track progress, measure the success of initiatives and refocus on the key areas identified 

Interested in learning more about venue management and planning, including how to use the HIT Tool to capture the right data? Visit Venue management 

Strong clubs are the result of good planning and solid foundations. They grow from insights-led planning, clear vision and the right support. With the proper tools and guidance, you can set your club up for long‑term success. 

Explore these helpful resources to shape your club’s direction, streamline everyday operations and confidently support the needs of your community.

The Office for Recreation, Sport and Racing (ORSR) in South Australia offers funding for sport clubs and facilities. This funding opportunity is designed to support clubs and venues in developing programs and services that benefit the local community.

Local councils also provide a variety of grants and in-kind assistance to help not-for-profit groups deliver health and wellbeing focused initiatives. Get in touch with your local council to learn more about available funding, eligibility criteria and how to submit a strong application.

A range of other financial support options are also available to help you improve your club, including Tennis Australia’s facility funding program.