Tennis Victoria recently announced the successful application by Geelong Lawn Tennis Club to rejoin Victorian Premier League Pennant tennis, after a 54 year absence from this level of competition. Formerly known as State Grade, Premier League is a mens and womens team based format with only six clubs in Victoria taking part in the six week competition, starting on October 3rd. The teams competing include Geelong Lawn Tennis Club, Kooyong Lawn Tennis Club, Grace Park Tennis Club, MCC, Liston Tennis Club, Dendy Park Tennis Club and Royal South Yarra.
Geelong last had a team competing in this level of Victorian club competition in 1956 when Alan Cooke, Bill Ainsworth, Don Rotdhouse and Jim Carew competed against players such as Wimbledon champion Neale Fraser. The likely team line up for Geelong will be Brendan Moore, Chris Letcher, Aaron Kosub, Matthew Hicks, Justin Robinson and Matthew Holschier. Moore and Letcher are both full time touring professionals, whilst Aaron Kosub was part of a winning Dingley team in 2006. Seven time GLTC club champion Matthew Hicks also has vast experience at this level as part of a winning Grace Park team in 2008. Locally based players Justin Robinson and Matthew Holschier will relish their opportunity to test their skills against the best, as several teams have current or former professionals such as Kooyong's ex Davis Cup player Richard Fromberg.
Over the years Geelong has competed in division two of the Womens pennant, but has never fielded a team in Premier League. The team this year has a mixture of local players and those from outside Geelong. Torquay's Alenka Hubacek and Olivia Rich will play some matches when their tournament committments allow, whilst Brianna Bateup is scheduled to play all matches. Julie Golightly is expected to bring all her experience to the doubles court, and will also take on a coaching role with the team. The competition is unique in that it will allow on court coaching. GLTC Club Professional Simon Keeble will be the coach of the Mens team.
Played on the clubs new Plexicushion courts, the competition is played on Sundays commencing at 12pm, with three doubles rubbers followed by six singles rubbers. To celebrate the return of top level pennant to Geelong, the club is hosting a Community Open Day from 12pm on Sunday October 10th, to allow local tennis players to come and have a free game of tennis on the club's grass courts and watch all the action of the teams first home matches. A Premier League Dinner on Friday 22nd October with Neale Fraser as guest speaker will also allow local tennis followers to join the celebrations. The players are expected to look very professional in their Adidas team uniform provided by sponsor Sports Fanatics in Ocean Grove.
Click here to view the schedule of matches
