The Victorian Community Tennis Awards recognise Victoria’s on and off court success in a community tennis celebration. Congratulations to the following three finalists for the Supporting Tennis – Local Government Recognition award!
Frankston City Council
Frankston City Council has reached a major milestone, becoming one of only two councils in Victoria to complete the Thriving Tennis Communities (TTC) project for a second time! Following their pilot involvement in 2021, Frankston delivered their latest TTC data findings to council and clubs in November 2024.
This second phase of the project has already seen strong engagement, with 8 of 10 local clubs actively participating in new action plans alongside the region’s Tennis Development Officer. Notably, the health of tennis in the region improved from 36% to 44%, a testament to the collaborative efforts of the council and clubs.
Frankston has continued to champion tennis as a key community sport, hosting six-monthly forums that bring clubs together to share ideas, explore new formats, and strengthen local networks. These forums, proudly led by council in partnership with Tennis Victoria, have become a platform for innovation and club empowerment.
The council’s 2021 Tennis Action Plan remains central to this progress. The public document outlines infrastructure priorities and development opportunities across all clubs, fostering transparency and trust. A recent success includes Belvedere Park Tennis Club receiving $130,000 from Frankston Council via the Local Sports Infrastructure Fund to upgrade court lighting—an identified need in the plan.
Frankston’s leadership continues to set an example of how councils and clubs can work hand-in-hand to grow the game.
Manningham City Council
Manningham Council continues to show strong commitment to local tennis, currently progressing through the Action Planning stage of the Thriving Tennis Communities (TTC) project after completing data collection in 2022. With a second TTC cycle expected in 2026, the council remains actively engaged with Tennis Victoria across club development and infrastructure needs.
In a recent example of this collaboration, Manningham hosted a multi-sport forum to engage local sporting clubs and deliver key policy updates. Tennis Victoria was one of only five sporting bodies invited to present, showcasing tennis’ growing presence and relevance in the region.
Recent investments reflect the council’s commitment. In the latest annual budget, Manningham allocated $130,000 for upgrade planning across three sites and $690,000 for major works at four venues, including resurfacing, floodlight upgrades, and landscaping. Looking ahead, the newly endorsed Outdoor Sports Infrastructure Policy ensures that clubs using public booking systems like Book a Court will receive 100% council funding for lighting upgrades—reinforcing a shared vision for accessible, modern tennis facilities across the municipality.
Mitchell Shire Council
Mitchell Shire Council has completed its first Thriving Tennis Communities (TTC) project, with findings delivered to council in late 2024 and presented to local clubs in March 2025. This report now serves as a valuable tool to guide future tennis planning and decision-making across the region.
Throughout the project, Mitchell Shire worked closely with Tennis Victoria, particularly on key developments at the Seymour Tennis Complex and Harley Hammond Reserve, home of Broadford Tennis Club.
Mitchell Shire has also played an active role in broader tennis discussions, including participating in the 2024 Country North East LGA forum in Geelong, focused on building a balanced tennis ecosystem. With significant population growth forecasted, the council has collaborated with Tennis Victoria on the Greenhill Recreation Precinct Master Plan, which includes new tennis courts and will become the future home of Wallan Tennis Club.
The TTC findings are expected to influence the potential creation of a dedicated Tennis Strategy for the region. Already, Mitchell Shire is showing strong investment in the sport, with 48% of its total recreation budget currently allocated to tennis. This includes the $1.008 million Seymour Tennis Complex redevelopment ($758,000 from council and $250,000 from Sport and Recreation Victoria) and $50,000 towards court and lighting designs at Harley Hammond Reserve. These investments signal a bright future for tennis in Mitchell.
Congratulations, once again to the three finalists who have been nominated for this award.
Latest
Similar
VIC