Tennis Victoria recently announced that Geelong Lawn Tennis Club would again be part of Premier League Pennant tennis in 2011, with the successful nomination of both Mens & Womens teams. Formerly known as State Grade, Premier League is a team based format with only six clubs in Victoria taking part in the six week competition, commencing on Sunday October 2nd. The teams competing are some of Victorias largest and include Geelong Lawn Tennis Club, Kooyong Lawn Tennis Club, Grace Park Tennis Club, MCC, Liston Tennis Club, Dingley Tennis Club, Dendy Park Tennis Club and Royal South Yarra. Click here for details of the draw.
In 2010 Geelong created history after a 54 year absence from the competition, when both Mens & Womens teams exceeded all expectations in their debut season, and finished runner-up. The Mens went down to the strong Liston team, and the Women fought hard, but lost to Kooyong LTC. This year the Mens team have a new #1 Sadik Kadir, who is ranked 32 in Australia, and a new #2 Josh Crowe, who is #66 in the nation. After a great season in 2010, Matthew Hicks has moved up to play #3 singles, and local players Justin Robinson, Matthew Holschier and the fast improving Jacob Grills will also be part of the action. Melbourne based Aaron Kosub will play #4 after a solid season in 2010. The Womens team has recruited well to secure Viktorija Rajicic, ranked #27 in Australia, and Evie Ivisic (nee Dominikovic) who in 2001 was ranked 64 in the world. They are joined by 2010 players Alenka Hubacek, Vicky Stuckey, Brianna Bateup and Abbie Walker, whilst Melbourne based Lauren Warden will play #4 singles.
Played on the clubs new Plexicushion courts, the competition is played during October with matches played on Sundays commencing at 11.30am, with the first home match on Sunday October 9th. To celebrate the return of top level pennant to Geelong, the club is hosting a Community Open Day from 10.30am on Sunday 9th October, to allow local tennis players to come and have a free game of tennis and watch all the action.
