Laura Michell
Epping Tennis Club has been hailed as a “community champion” for its work to boost female participation in tennis and promoting a positive club culture.
Alcohol and Drug Foundation acting state manager Daniel Vautin, said the club had reached the highest level of the foundation’s Good Sports program.
The club has implemented policies around alcohol management, tobacco, illegal drugs, safe transport, positive spectator behaviour and nutrition.
It has also launched an initiative to get more women hitting the court.
“Epping Tennis Club is a fantastic role-model in community sport and should feel incredibly proud of its strong commitment to building a healthy and inclusive club,” Mr Vautin said.
“Good Sports is building a healthier sporting nation by encouraging systemic changes in club culture to promote long-term positive health outcomes.”
The club’s social secretary Lynn Kimber is the driving force behind it’s female participation initiative.
Ms Kimber has been a committee member for more than 30 years, serving as president for 20 of them.
“Our women’s program started from the idea of women’s ‘have a go’ sessions. A couple of us just went on the court to help them play,” she said.
“When we started to see some were coming back time and time again, we decided to use some grant money from the local council to hire a coach. We’d throw on some snacks to make it a bit social.
“The women came from different walks of life and they’d make connections with one another.”
