Last night, Tennis West held its 122nd Annual General Meeting (AGM) at the State Tennis Centre in Burswood, with delegates attending both in person and online. The event marked a significant milestone for the organisation, bringing together club and association representatives to reflect on the past year and look ahead to the future of tennis in Western Australia.
The AGM was followed by a Member Forum focused on Complementary Formats, featuring a Q&A panel led by Tennis Australia’s Head of Game Expansion, Callum Beale. WA club members shared their experiences with emerging formats such as padel, pickleball, pop, and beach tennis, highlighting both the challenges and opportunities these bring to the sport.
Key Takeaways from the 2024–2025 Annual Report
President’s Report – Pam Cresswell
President Pam Cresswell celebrated a year of strategic achievement and community collaboration. Highlights included:
- Completion of the 2021–2025 Strategic Plan.
- Development of a new Strategic Plan prioritising regional growth, complementary formats, and financial sustainability.
- A 24% funding increase through renegotiated agreements with Tennis Australia.
- Implementation of governance reforms, including delivering the 13 Board Governance Review recommendations and a revised Constitution.
- An improved governance score, rising from 135 to 147.
Cresswell expressed gratitude to the tennis community for their ongoing support and commitment.
CEO’s Report – Olivia Birkett
CEO Olivia Birkett underscored the organisation’s focus on inclusivity and excellence. Notable achievements included:
- Hosting the United Cup at RAC Arena, showcasing WA on the global tennis stage.
- Advancing the “People” pillar to promote access and opportunity across all tennis roles.
- Conducting a statewide roadshow to engage clubs in shaping the sport’s future.
- Strengthening partnerships with Tennis Australia, the WA Government, Healthway and other key commercial partners.
Birkett praised the team’s efforts and shared optimism for the next strategic phase which commenced a couple of months ago.
Member Forum: Exploring Complementary Formats in WA Tennis
Following the formal proceedings of the AGM, attendees participated in a dynamic Member Forum focused on the growing impact of Complementary Formats in tennis. The session was headlined by Callum Beale, Tennis Australia’s Head of Game Expansion, who shared national insights into how formats like padel, pickleball, pop tennis, and beach tennis are reshaping participation and club engagement across Australia.
The forum featured a panel discussion with WA-based program leaders from Pickleball, Beach Tennis, and Padel, each offering practical perspectives on how their formats are being successfully integrated into existing club and venue operations. Key themes included:
- Accessibility and inclusivity: Formats like pickleball and beach tennis are attracting new demographics, including older players and families.
- Facility adaptation: Clubs are creatively repurposing underused spaces to accommodate new courts and surfaces.
- Community engagement: These formats are proving effective in building social connection and increasing casual participation.
- Operational models: Panellists shared how they manage scheduling, coaching, governance and membership alongside traditional tennis programs.
The discussion underscored the importance of embracing innovation while maintaining the core values and purpose of tennis. Attendees left with actionable ideas and renewed enthusiasm for considering how they could expand their club offerings.
For those who missed the event, or would like to read the Annual Report – 2024-25-Tennis-West-Annual-Report.pdf
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