By Marcus Uhe
Members past and present will gather on Sunday 14 August to mark the Cranbourne Tennis Club’s 100th anniversary.
What started as just three courts in the centre of Cranbourne Racecourse has expanded to an 18-court facility at Casey Fields, with a stint at Grant Street along the way, too.
The celebration will be an opportunity for former and current members to connect and reminisce on the growth and survival of the club, and recognise those who have built the club into the regional powerhouse that it is today.
Drouin band Jewel Fusion will be ‘making a racquet’ as the sun goes down and the courts will be open for a social hit and mini tennis for kids.
Paul Kleverlaan has been playing tennis at Cranbourne since the early ‘80s and remains involved as the club’s president.
Throughout his involvement he’s been a coach, player and committee member, wearing multiple hats as all good club volunteers do.
“We’ve seen generations of families come and play at the club,” Mr Kleverlaan said.
“As a coach, I’ve had kids I used to coach bring their kids to the club for coaching.
“We’ve touched a lot of people, that’s one of the biggest highlights.”
The return of community sport in 2022 following two years of Covid-19-enforced interruptions has highlighted the importance of these organisations to local communities.
At Cranbourne, the club chose to only charge their members 25 per cent of their membership fee during this period, in an effort to ease financial pressure.
Mr Kleverlaan said the initiative was extremely well-received by members.
“People couldn’t wait to get back on the courts,” he said.
“Tennis is pretty safe given the conditions and it’s a really welcoming, safe, family environment at the club.
“Club revenue went down but that’s just club money, not people money. We’re all about the community.”
The celebration will be held on Sunday 14 August from 3pm to 9pm at Casey Fields.
For more information, go to facebook.com/events/1061247217852019
