ST FRANCIS XAVIER TENNIS CLUB
Brief History
The origins of the Tennis Club go back to the early
1950s when social games of tennis were organised by Fr Phillip Smith and
played on Bernie Tenni’s court in Watt Street.
From this the idea of forming a Parish Tennis Club was born, resulting
in the initial hire of a court in Victoria St, and then the construction
of two en-tous-cas courts in Clota Ave, opened on the 15th December 1957
and recognized as the official launch of the Club.
Since that time the Club has provided a sustaining social framework for
many parishioners of St Clare and St Francis Xavier parishes enabling
them to enjoy tennis with their friends and families at reasonable cost
in the Parish environs, and at the many social functions the Club has
conducted.
The Club has been an enthusiastic participant in competition tennis at
both senior and junior levels and through its coaching programs has enabled
many children to play tennis.
The synthetic courts, lights and clubroom in Dorking Rd were established
in 1998 through the efforts of Fr Stephen Bliss when classrooms were built
on the Clota Ave. courts.
Club Information
| Location: | Dorking Rd. Box Hill, near the intersection with Whitehorse Rd. |
| Courts: | Two sand filled artificial grass courts. Each court has lights. |
| Membership categories: | Family, senior, married couple, student and junior. |
| Coaching: | Adult and junior coaching are available. |
| Competition tennis: | The Club is affiliated with the Eastern Region Tennis Association
and the Eastern Metropolitan Region Ladies Lawn Tennis Association.
Ladies mid week competition tennis and Sunday morning junior competition is available. Teams are also entered in the Blackburn and District Night Tennis Association mid week competition. |
| Social tennis: | Ladies mid week, Saturday morning and Friday night “daylight saving” social tennis are available. |
| Hiring: | The courts are available for hiring at night for $15 per hour per court. During the night competition seasons however some nights may not be available for hiring. The courts are not available during the daylight hours for hiring. |
| Clubroom: | A well equipped clubroom is located between the courts with good viewing onto both courts. |
| Further Details: | Geoff Charles (Secretary) 9874 2704 |
| Site designed and built by Matthew Price. Produced by Catholic Communications Melbourne |