ON 25 February 1907, Councillor Cattanach addressed the Camberwell City Council seeking permission to make a tennis court on the reserve at Burwood, known as Fiddler’s Green. The motion passed, and with the stroke of a pen and the uttering of a few profound words, the Burwood Tennis Club was born. An asphalt court was laid in April 1907, with the court enclosed in chicken wire fencing along with erection of a ramshackle lean-to shed, which would be the clubhouse for several years. The club immediately began to grow in popularity and two years later a second court was added. It is a curiosity that had Councillor Cattanach made his plea fifty years earlier, the club could well be known today as the Ballyshanassy Tennis Club, as this was the distinctive name of the district at the time, briefly changing to Norwood, before settling on the name Burwood in 1879.
The club has since grown to be one of the most progressive, inclusive, and respected suburban clubs in Melbourne, named the Tennis Victoria Metropolitan Club of the Year in 2002, and has received numerous other accolades along the way. The expansive fully airconditioned clubrooms are the envy of most competing clubs, from the large floor to ceiling glass windows offering unfettered view of the tennis, to an onsite pro-shop servicing all player needs, be that simply purchasing a can of balls, sweatbands, a new grip, to restringing of racquets, even the purchase of a new racquet.
Burwood Tennis Club has a partnership with TopTenn Tennis Academy, Melbourne’s largest and most progressive tennis school with a team of fully accredited coaches. We provide coaches for all standards from beginners to budding champions. Skill levels, cultural background and age are no barrier at Burwood, there is a program for everyone. The club has five newly laid synthetic grass courts, which offer a cushioned surface under foot to allow comfort for all players, not just the young, but the young at heart.
Burwood has recently opened the Fran Coggins Terrace, in honour of an outstanding club servant of over 30 years, who passed away last year. This SunSmart outdoor entertainment area is perfect for use all year round. It offers shade under a massive five-point shade sail, together with table and bench seating, waist high round pedestal tables to mill around, and bar stools along the balustrade to watch the tennis, or similarly turn around watch the cricket and football on the adjoining oval.
Spring is the perfect time to get out your racquets and start playing a bit of tennis, then sit outside with your feet up glass in hand from the licensed bar in the company of friends. Could life be any better?
To learn about joining us at Burwood Tennis Club, please phone 9830 6618.
COLIN EDWARDS
