Scarborough Tennis Club Newsletter
AUGUST NEWSLETTER
Chairmans Report
WELCOME TO ANOTHER SEASON
As I commence my fifth year as your Chairman, I continue to be inspired by what Scarborough Tennis Club is becoming.
Every season we take another step forward - not simply by improving our facilities or growing our membership, but by strengthening the culture that makes our club such a special place to play tennis. It's that unique combination of great tennis, genuine friendships and a welcoming community that continues to define who we are. While the new playing season is still just around the corner, your Committee has already been hard at work planning what promises to be one of the most exciting seasons in our club's history.
This year marks an important milestone with the introduction of our very first Ladies State Grade team - an achievement that reflects not only the continued growth of women's tennis at Scarborough, but also the growing reputation of our club throughout the Western Australian tennis community.
Our vision is simple: to continue building a club where every member feels welcome, every player has the opportunity to improve, and every visitor experiences the unique culture that makes Scarborough Tennis Club such a special place.
To help achieve that vision, our focus this season is centred on three key priorities:
Growing the strength and depth of our competitive playing ranks.
Expanding our Social Tennis program through a new two-tier format that welcomes both experienced players and those simply looking to enjoy the game in a fun, relaxed environment.
Continuing to deliver well-organised competitions, quality social events and an outstanding club experience for members, families and visitors alike.
None of this happens by chance.
It happens because of an incredible group of volunteers, committee members, coaches, sponsors and members who generously give their time, energy and passion to our club. Every working bee, every volunteer behind the bar, every coach, every sponsor and every member who lends a hand contributes to making Scarborough Tennis Club the thriving community it is today.
On behalf of your Committee, thank you for your continued support and belief in what we're building together. I genuinely believe this season has the potential to be one of the most exciting in our club's history, and I look forward to sharing it with you all.
MEET THE 2026/2027 COMMITTEE
A sincere thank you to everyone who attended this year's AGM, and a special thank you to those committee members who have recently stepped down after generously giving their time to our club. Your contribution is greatly appreciated. I'd also like to warmly welcome our new committee members who have stepped forward to help shape the future of Scarborough Tennis Club.
Following the AGM we still had vacancies in the key roles of Treasurer, Secretary, Vice Captain and Membership Coordinator.
I'm pleased to announce that since then we have welcomed Alan Harwood as an Ordinary Member and Anthony Lau as our Secretary and Membership Coordinator. Alan has already demonstrated tremendous enthusiasm and a genuine willingness to help wherever needed, and I'm confident he'll be a valuable addition to the Committee. Anthony's appointment also creates an excellent connection between the Coaching Academy and our junior members through his existing work alongside Rick managing junior memberships.
We are still seeking volunteers for the positions of Treasurer and Vice Captain.
If you've ever considered becoming more involved in the club, I'd encourage you to reach out for a chat. Committee work is both rewarding and a wonderful opportunity to contribute to the continued success of Scarborough Tennis Club.
Committee
Chairperson Nigel Moyes
Vice Chairperson Jenna Valentin
Club Captain Peter Cole
Vice Captain
Treasurer
Secretary Anthony Lau
Ordinary Member Di Nagle
Ordinary Member Alan Harwood
Non Committee
Facilities Rob Doncon
Memberships Anthony Lau
Weekend Pennants Jenna Valentin
Sponsorship Dirk Jooste
Tuesday Social Peter McHardy
Tuesday Social Alan Harwood
Hall Hire Graham Burnfield
Social Events
LADIES STATE GRADE
One of the biggest highlights for the upcoming season is the confirmation of Scarborough Tennis Club's inaugural Ladies State Grade team - a significant milestone in the history of our club.
This exciting new chapter has been made possible through the leadership of Team Captain Meg Connell, who has worked closely with the Committee to bring this outstanding group of players to Scarborough.
For many of our members, however, this announcement is about much more than State Grade tennis. It marks the homecoming of Meg and Ali Connell.
The Connell sisters have been part of the Scarborough Tennis Club family since they were young girls, with both developing through our junior ranks to become two of the most successful players in our club's history. Together they have won countless Club Championships and have proudly represented Scarborough throughout their tennis journey.
After spending the past three seasons competing in State Grade with Dalkeith Tennis Club, Meg and Ali have chosen to return to the club they have always called home - and they're bringing an incredibly talented team with them.
Their return is not only a wonderful moment for our club, but a tremendous opportunity for our younger players to see two home-grown champions leading the way at the highest level of club tennis in Western Australia.
The Committee is now working alongside the team to secure sponsorship opportunities and coordinate match-day logistics to ensure we showcase our club, our facilities and our members in the very best possible light.
Home matches will be played on our showcase Courts 10 and 11, and I encourage all members to come down, support the team and enjoy what promises to be some outstanding State Grade tennis throughout the season.
Welcome home, Meg, Ali and the team. Scarborough has always been your club, and we're incredibly proud to have you all back where you belong.
Members - Please look out for these ladies as you see them on the courts and around the club and make them feel welcome…
Hayley Burton
Olivia Rimmer
Ali Connell
Meg Connell
Sally Partington
Caitlin Cridland
Charleen Tiwari
Madey Watson
HARDCOURT FLOODING ISSUES
Over the winter months the Committee has continued working closely with the City of Stirling to address the long-standing flooding issues affecting Courts 1, 2 and 3. Following several productive meetings, the City has installed a substantial new drainage system along the northern boundary and repaired and sealed the underground culvert that had been allowing water to seep beneath the courts. If these improvements perform as expected throughout winter, we anticipate finally receiving approval to resurface the hard courts during the October school holidays.
The resurfaced courts will feature a modern dark green surround with blue playing surfaces to improve visibility and enhance the overall playing experience. Wembley Downs recently completed a similar upgrade and the finished result looks outstanding.
This has been a long-term project for the Committee, and we're looking forward to finally seeing it become a reality.
RSA COURSE - SEEKING MORE BAR SUPPORT
Our bar is an important part of club life, and we'd love to build a larger team of volunteers to help share the workload throughout the season. We're looking for another 6–8 members to complete their RSA qualification, with Peter Cole running the course here at the club. It's a simple way to contribute, meet more members and help ensure our club continues to provide a great experience for everyone. If you're able to help, we'd love to hear from you and FYI the Club reimburses you the full cost for the course.
Current RSA holders please see the new 3month Roster for August, September and October further down in this doc.
NEXT SOCIAL EVENT - LIVE MUSIC SATURDAY 12TH SEPTEMBER
Our first major social event of the new season is just around the corner.
Join us on Saturday 12th September for an outdoor evening on the patio featuring live music from 6.30pm until 9.00pm.
It's the perfect opportunity to catch up with friends, meet new members and enjoy a relaxed evening together before the tennis season officially begins. Tickets are $25 per person, the bar will be open throughout the evening, and please remember to bring your own food as their is no organised catering.
We hope to see as many members there as possible.
NIGEL MOYES
CLUB CHAIRMAN
Captain’s Report
CAPTAIN’S ADDRESS
As Club Captain, it is incredibly rewarding to see the progress Scarborough Tennis Club continues to make both on and off the court. Every season, our Club grows stronger, not just through improved facilities and increased membership, but through the culture, camaraderie, and sense of community that make Scarborough such a special place to play.
WINTER PENNANTS
The strength of our club has been on full display throughout this year's Winter Pennants season, and I'm incredibly proud of what our players have achieved.
This weekend, four of our Men's teams will compete in the Semi Finals, while our Tuesday Twilight Ladies have already booked their place in the Grand Final after finishing first on the ladder and winning their Semi Final. They will now take on Reabold at City Beach next Tuesday evening.
These outstanding results are a testament to the commitment, teamwork and determination shown by our players, captains, coaches and supporters throughout the season. Congratulations to everyone involved.
Even more exciting, three of our Men's teams have earned the right to host their Semi Finals at Scarborough. It's a fantastic opportunity to showcase our club, our facilities and the wonderful atmosphere that makes Scarborough such a special place to play.
I encourage all members to come down, support our teams and enjoy what promises to be a fantastic weekend of tennis. Nothing creates a stronger club than members cheering on members, and your support from the sidelines can make all the difference.
With three Semi Finals being played at the Club this Saturday, there will unfortunately be no Social Tennis this weekend. Thank you for your understanding as we prioritise these important fixtures. Should our teams progress, there is also the possibility of hosting Grand Finals next Saturday, which may again impact Social Tennis. Members will be kept informed as results come through.
LADIES STATE GRADE
The success we are currently enjoying is part of a much bigger picture. This season marks an exciting chapter in the Club's history with the introduction of our inaugural Ladies State Grade team, a significant milestone that highlights the continued growth of tennis at Scarborough and our increasing reputation within the Western Australian tennis community.
CLUB ETTIQUETTE
As Nigel stated in his President's Report, our vision remains simple: to build a club where every member feels welcome, every player has the opportunity to improve, and every visitor experiences the unique culture that defines Scarborough Tennis Club. Whether you're competing in pennants, enjoying a hit on a Tuesday morning, or volunteering behind the bar, everyone plays an important role in our Club's success.
An important part of maintaining that culture is ensuring that all members treat one another, and members of the public, with courtesy and respect. If there are concerns regarding court allocations, social tennis, court hire, or the use of Club facilities, I ask that members please contact me directly in my role as Club Captain. Decisions regarding court usage should not be made by individual members, nor should members feel the need to confront other members, coaches, visitors, or members of the public.
By following the appropriate channels, we can ensure issues are addressed fairly and maintain the welcoming environment that Scarborough Tennis Club is known for.
FINAL WORDS
I would like to take this opportunity to thank our volunteers, committee members, coaches, sponsors, and members who generously contribute their time and energy throughout the year. None of what we achieve happens by chance. From working bees and social events to committee meetings and match-day support, it truly is a team effort.
Congratulations once again to all players and captains who have helped us reach the Semi Finals. Having four teams still in contention at this stage of the season is something the entire Club should be proud of. Best of luck to all our teams this weekend, play hard, enjoy the occasion, and do Scarborough proud!
Go Scarborough!
PETER COLE
CLUB CAPTAIN
Pennant News
PENNANT UPDATE
Congratulations to all of our Winter Pennants teams on another outstanding season.
We're incredibly proud to have four Saturday teams and our Tuesday Twilight Ladies still in contention for premiership honours - a fantastic achievement that reflects the depth of talent, commitment and team spirit across our club.
This Saturday, Scarborough will proudly host three Semi Finals:
Division 3 - Tim Lau's team (2nd) vs UWA
Division 5 - Michael Faulk's team (1st) vs Ocean Ridge
Division 9 - Craig Harby's team (1st) vs North Perth
Our Division 12 team, captained by John Wikstrom, also qualified for the Semi Finals after finishing 4th and will travel to Kings Park in pursuit of a place in the Grand Final.
Congratulations also to our Tuesday Twilight Ladies, who finished 1st on the ladder and secured their place in next week's Grand Final with a convincing Semi Final victory. They'll now take on Reabold at City Beach on Tuesday evening in what promises to be a fantastic contest.
With three Semi Finals being played at Scarborough this Saturday, we encourage all members to come down, support our teams and enjoy a great afternoon of competitive tennis. Your support creates a wonderful atmosphere for our players and is one of the things that makes our club so special.
Please note: There will be no Social Tennis this Saturday due to the Semi Finals being played at the club.
Good luck to all of our teams - we'll be cheering you on every step of the way.
SUMMER NOMINATIONS
While our winter teams battle it out in the finals, it's already time to start thinking about summer tennis!
Nominations are now open for the 2026/27 Summer Pennants season. Whether you're a regular pennants player or you've been thinking about giving it a go, we'd love to see you representing Scarborough this summer with the season starting on 19th October. So chat to your teammates, club members and friends and get your online nominations in before Wednesday 2 September. If you have any questions or would like to discuss your playing options, please get in touch.
STC 2026/27 Summer Pennants Nomination Form
JENNA VALENTIN
VICE CHAIRMAN & PENNANT COORDINATOR
Facilities Report
NEW EXTERNAL AND INTERNAL FENCES - UPDATE
This fencing project has been “mostly” completed however we are still working with the COS in trying to ensure the middle fence has smaller gaps to stop balls and we are still continuing to complain about the large gaps in the boundary fence. Over the next month I will be putting the ball catching mesh back onto the new fence to stop the balls but this cannot be actioned until COS have dealt with our concerns noted above.
ROB DONCON
FACILITIES MGR
Bar Roster
Please as always organise a swap if your designated roster day doesn’t work for.
Reach out to Di Nagle as your Bar Roster Coordinator if you need help.
Gentle reminder to always be on-time and to ensure you LOCK UP the club on completion.
Coaches Report
DEAR MEMBERS
We're really looking forward to a new season at Scarborough Tennis Club!
Our juniors have been hitting their preseason technical training, and as we get closer to the summer season we start to increase the repetition and point volume they play so they're ready for matches.
There's plenty to be excited about on the competition front. We've nominated for Junior Boys State League (not yet confirmed) and the club is also looking to nominate for Women's State League, which is a really exciting opportunity for the club. We look forward to when the grass re-opens so we can open our junior match play sessions again for our members.
From a coaching point of view, we're busy developing players and providing training opportunities for all our juniors, as well as beginner and intermediate adults who want to work on their drills and strategy. These adult sessions run Tuesday nights, 6:30 to 8pm and also a morning session Friday morning 830am-10am.
We also offer private lessons for everyone from beginners right through to advanced players. Just a heads up that peak time slots are quite hard to get into due to ongoing lessons, so get in touch early if you want to lock in a spot.
It's also time to get your racquet ready for the season. Our racquet technician Anthony Lau can sort you out with fresh strings and a new grip. The best time to see him is Saturday morning, but you can always contact us and arrange a drop off and pick up during the week with the coaching team. Email us on info@scarboroughtennis.com.au or text on 0430 110 848.
Finally, we're on the lookout for another full time coach to join our team and grow with us over the next couple of seasons.
We're excited about building the tennis club, so make sure you refer anyone you know who likes tennis to come and join us.
Here's to a great season ahead!
RESTRINGING SERVICE
Our Tennis Australia qualified stringer, Anthony, offers meticulous detail with restrings and a range of popular strings with coach recommendations. So don’t take the risk with unqualified retail shops and get your racquet strung with us.
For your convenience, we can always leave your completed racquet in the captain's room (or another agreed spot) to arrange easy pick-up and drop-off.
Email us on info@scarboroughtennis.com.au or text on 0430 110 848.
RICK WILLSMORE
CLUB COACH
OUR CLUB SPONSORS
