Tara Murray
Hume Tennis and Community Centre will take on the best players in the state in the Tennis Victoria’s Premier League starting this week.
The competition which is being held the next two weeks includes some of Australia’s top male and female players.
It’s the first time Hume has had a men’s team in the competition. They won the women’s competition last season.
Hume Tennis’ Tim Connelly they were excited to have a men’s team for the first time.
“It’s a great thing,” he said. “ To be able to play and host some of the best clubs in Victorian, like Kooyong and MCC is extremely exciting.
“To have the opening round with some really strong players out here is something we are looking forward to.”
Former world number 138 Joseph Sirianni is leading the side. He played in five Australian Opens.
Connelly said that Sirianni, who grew up in Essendon, had returned from overseas and had been based out of the Craigieburn centre.
“He’s been working with some international players for us,” he said. “Some of those players were interested and they wanted to play for us.”
Dayne Kelly who is from Sunbury is a local in the side.
Taiwan player Jimmy Wang, who reached number 85 in the world, is also part of the team.
Corey Gaal, Frank Moser and Jarrod Joyce round out Hume’s team.
Connelly said this was one of the strongest Premier League competitions there had been for a number of years.
Other players named in the men’s competition include Alex Bolt, Marc Pulmans, Omar Jasika, Andrew Whittington, Andrew Harris, Luke Saville, Jason Kubler and John-Patrick Smith.
Hume doesn’t have a women’s side this season. Connelly said financially it wasn’t possible to have both teams, but that remains the goal for the future.
RMIT/Bundoora Tennis Club will make its debut in the women’s competition.
Stefani Webb, Tamara Bajagic, Elicia Kim, Jelena Cvijanovic and Darcy Parke make-up that team.
Hume is hosting the opening round of the men’s competition on Friday, while the opening round of the women’s competition will be held in Bundoora.
Connelly said they were hoping there would be a big crowd at Craigieburn to watch the first round of action.
“After COVID the last couple of years when it was a controlled environment, it’s nice to welcome back crowds.
We’re excited to be representing the north of Melbourne and being able to bring professional tennis players out to Hume council.
“This provides inspiration to the juniors who are coming and watching.”
