Council sponsorship helps bring best tennis players to coast

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The best of Australia’s rising tennis stars will play on the Fraser Coast.

The Fraser Coast Regional Council has entered a sponsorship deal to help the Hervey Bay and District Tennis Association stage three Australian Ranking Points Tournaments for the next three years in Hervey Bay.

“Council works hard to bring top-of-the-line talent to the Fraser Coast to participate in sporting and cultural events,” Mayor George Seymour said.

“These events ensure residents can access first-class events as players or spectators.

“The events also contribute to the cultural, social and economic development of our region. 

“They are catalysts for economic development, tourism, social interaction and community pride.”

Under the $9,000 deal, Council will provide $2,000 in cash and $1,000 in in-kind support to the Hervey Bay and District Tennis Association to stage three tournaments a year (Open, Seniors and Junior) for three years (2020, 21 and 22).

The next tournament will be an event for seniors to be held on July 31 and August 1 and 2 at the association’s courts in Colyton Street, Hervey Bay.

That will be followed by a tournament for juniors on September 5 and 6.

“Events will attract players and family and supporters from across the state to the Fraser Coast,” Cr Seymour said.

“As a result the region benefits from the increase in visitors who support our accommodation facilities, cafes and restaurants and other businesses.

“The region will also benefit from the exposure to a wider audience.”

Being able to stage events, especially national ranking events, is fantastic, Association President Geoff Arnell said.

“The events will bring elite players of all ages to the region to compete.”

While players wait to see if the National Ranking Points system is reinstated this year, the events will still be keenly contested, Mr Arnell said.

“Normally 20 tournaments for seniors, run in conjunction with Tennis Seniors Queensland, are played across Queensland.

“Hervey Bay was fortunate to be given a revised event date while many others were cancelled due to COVID-19.”

Fraser Coast players to keep an eye on during the seniors tournament are Trudy Miller (in the over 45 events), Peter Meyer (in the over 45 events), Michael McDougall (in the over 55 events) and Geoff Arnell (in the over 60 events).

The Junior Tournament in September is expected to attract the top 12 and 14 year olds hoping to gain Australian Ranking points.