By Esther Lauaki
Riddells Creek tennis players will soon have a home court advantage thanks to a $100,000 federal funding boost.
The grant will go towards the Riddells Creek Tennis Club upgrade project to build three new courts.
Presently, players play on two shared-use courts that are marked up for both tennis and netball. But tennis games have to be relocated whenever netball teams are scheduled to play at home.
Club secretary Andrew Nicoll said that the upgrades would mean that both codes could play home games at the same time.
“The upgrades would put us on the same playing field with other clubs in the shire that have up to six courts,” Mr Nicoll said. “During the winter season, we are unable to schedule netball and tennis games at the same time.
“We are the only club in the shire that has that multi-use complexity like this.
“This funding will mean we can install a curtain net between the courts to allow us to play netball and tennis side by side, without the safety issue of balls flying everywhere.”
He said that the club thanked all levels of government for their contributions to the project.
“In the Macedon Ranges, when you want significant projects like this done, it’s beneficial to have federal, state and council funding working together.
“This is an example of the community, government and council working co-operatively together.”
On a visit to the club last week, state Liberal candidate for Macedon Amanda Millar said that the upgrades would have flow-on benefits across the community.
