COMMUNITY OPEN DAY – SATURDAY 1st NOVEMBER
This Saturday, 1st November, we’re hosting our Community Open Day a great chance to showcase our club and welcome new faces! The usual Saturday social will have a community focus, and we’re hoping to create a warm, fun atmosphere that encourages visitors to enquire or even join the club. We’d love for members to pop down, say hello, and share some splendid stories with our guests.

The plan for the day is at 1pm visitors arrive with play to commence at 1:30pm. At 3:30pm we will have afternoon tea to provide us a chance to speak with the visitors. If they still want to play they are more than welcome. Aim to finish up 4:30/5pm.

Rick will be on hand with coaching stations set up on Courts 7–9, and he’ll be available to answer any coaching-related questions. While we’ll have 7/8 Courts available for social play, please note that two pennant teams will also be playing at home on the day. Let’s make it a memorable afternoon for our community!

GRASS COURT REOPENING
Despite the rain, we gave it our best shot to play and with three courts in action, we still had a great time out on the grass. It’s amazing to see just how much love there is for our beautiful grass courts. The willingness to get back on them, even in wet weather, says it all! It was a fantastic day, and a big thank you goes out to everyone who helped make it run so smoothly.

INTERNATIONAL RULES
Internationals took the win! The international team, boosted by our fantastic visitors from Bangkok, brought the spirit and skill to take the win on the day. It was incredible to see all our grass courts buzzing with high-quality tennis, shared between our members and special guests.

The Bangkok players had a wonderful time, and a huge thank you goes out to everyone who played and stayed to make it such a memorable experience for them.

TWILIGHTS
Our popular Twilight Tennis sessions will return in December, running from 5:00pm until sunset a perfect way to wind down the day with some relaxed social tennis.

Due to my additional training commitments for Cheerleading Nationals, I won’t be able to run Thursday sessions until my season wraps up. Once training finishes, we’ll be back in full swing!

In the meantime, if you’d like to come down and have a hit amongst yourselves, you’re more than welcome to enjoy the courts and keep the twilight spirit alive.

OPEN AND MIXED DOUBLES AUSTRALIA DAY TOURNAMENT SPONSORED BY LET GO – SUNDAY 25th JANUARY
It’s official we’re back on the Tennis West calendar for our Australia Day Tournament, and once again we’re stoked to have the awesome support of Steve Yarwood and Let Go behind us!

We’re going big this year with Open and Mixed Doubles across the board:

• Open Mixed Doubles – Div 1 & 2

• Open Men’s Doubles – Div 1 & 2

• Open Ladies Doubles – Div 1 & 2

Each event will run as a round robin, with two groups (A & B) of 6 pairs. Matches will be timed sets it’s a one-day tournament, so we’re keeping things moving!

You can enter one or two events, but fair warning: if you go for two, you’ll be on court all day with barely a moment to breathe (or eat). Literally you will not have a lunch break if you compete in both events. We’ve got 12 grass courts and 6 hard courts ready to go, and we’re capping entries at 144 players (72 men and 72 women). So, grab a mate, lock in your doubles partner, and get your name down for what’s shaping up to be the biggest Scarborough tournament in recent memory.

Entries are now open let’s make it a cracker!

All Tournaments – Tennis Australia

SUMMER PENNANTS
We’re into Round 3 of the Summer Pennants season, with matches kicking off again this weekend. There’s plenty of action happening across the club, with four Saturday teams, five Sunday teams, and our Wednesday morning ladies all representing Scarborough with pride.

If you’re not currently playing pennants but would like to get involved, feel free to chat with me or one of the team captains we’re always on the lookout for reserves!

Important note for Sunday teams: This season, when your team is playing at home, you will be self-rostered for bar duty as a team. That means we will need multiple players with their RSA, so if you have not got yours yet, now is a great time to look into it.

GRASS COURTS
Remember when using the grass courts you need to unlock the gate; the code is 2512. Once you enter you need to lock the gate again, to ensure no one else enters.

INCLUSIVE SOCIAL  
As we return to the grass courts and welcome more visitors, including those attending coaching clinics, I want to remind everyone that social tennis is open to all.

It takes courage for new players to step onto the court, especially if they’re still building confidence. We all know that practice helps us improve, so I ask for your patience and encouragement when you see someone new joining in.

Let’s keep Scarborough welcoming and supportive. A friendly chat or a bit of understanding can make a big difference. Thanks legends. You’re what makes this club great.

NEW SIGNS AND RULES
As you may have noticed we have placed new signs at the entry gates to our grass and hard courts. Additionally, rules have been displayed on the noticeboards around the club. These rules are to ensure everyone (member and visitor) is clear on the conduct of play and behaviour on and off the court.

I have outlined the rules below for your attention.

GRASS COURT RULES

Access & Use

• Grass courts are strictly for members only.
  Visitors may play during social tennis times only.

• Club tournaments, pennants and coaching sessions take priority over casual play.

• General play is permitted during social tennis, provided courts are available.

• Members must unlock and relock the grass courts after each use.
  The access code is shared in the monthly newsletter.

Court Etiquette & Practice Guidelines

• When practicing singles, please use courts 15–19.

• When practicing doubles, please avoid courts 10 & 11.

• Respect all “Court Closed” signs do not play on closed courts.

Footwear

• Dress Code: Shirts, socks, and shoes must be worn at all times on court.

• Only flat-soled or grass court tennis shoes are permitted.
  No runners or spikes allowed.

Membership Cards

• All members must carry their membership card while on court.
  Committee members may request to see it please don’t be offended if asked.

Behaviour Expectations

• Swearing, discrimination, racism, or violent behaviour will not be tolerated.
  Offenders will be asked to leave the courts immediately.

HARD COURT RULES
To ensure a safe, respectful, and enjoyable experience for all players, please follow these rules when using the hard courts:

Access & Booking

• Booking is required for both members and visitors.
  Book online via the website or by scanning the QR code.

• Court Access: Enter your 4-digit PIN followed by # to unlock the gate.
  Committee members may request to see your booking confirmation or PIN.
  Please do not be offended if asked.

• Gate Etiquette: When entering and exiting, please close the gate behind you to maintain security and court integrity.

• Booking Fees:

• 6am – 6pm: Free for members / $15 per hour for non-members

• 6pm – 10pm: $10 per hour for members / $20 per hour for non-members

• Booking Assistance:
  For help with court bookings, please phone 9200 1862.
  If no one answers, please leave a detailed message and we will return your call as soon as possible.

Preparation & Equipment

• Players must bring their own tennis racket and balls.
  No equipment is available for hire.

• Dress Code: Shirts, socks, and shoes must be worn at all times on court.

During Your Booking

• Play only on your allocated court.

• Vacate promptly at the end of your session.

• No music is permitted on the courts. You will be asked to turn it off if played.

Behaviour Expectations

• Swearing, discrimination, racism, or violent behaviour will not be tolerated.
  Offenders will be asked to leave the courts immediately.

PATIO RULES
To help everyone enjoy their time at the club, please follow these guidelines when using the patio and surrounding areas: 

Before You Play

• When arriving for social tennis, please:

• Collect your name tag from the whiteboards on the side wall.

• Place your name tag on the social board.

• Store your tennis bag on the bag rack or inside the hall.
  Please do not leave bags on tables or in the captain’s room.

Respect & Inclusion

• Be respectful to all players, regardless of ability.
  We aim to create a welcoming environment where everyone feels encouraged to pick up a racket and have a go.

• Discrimination, racism, or violent behaviour will not be tolerated.
  Offenders will be asked to leave the premises immediately and may be subject to the three-strike disciplinary system.

• Be respectful in your words and actions, both on and off the court, in line with the club’s Code of Conduct.

Offenders may be subject to the three-strike disciplinary system.

Membership & Social Play

• Members must carry their membership card when playing.
  If you haven’t received yours, please speak to a committee member.

• Apart from social sessions, grass courts are for members only.

• During social tennis:

• Members may choose to play casually instead of joining social sets.

• You may politely ask if they’d like to join, but do not pressure or harass them.

• If unsure whether someone is a member, you may ask to see their membership card or check the social board name tags for adult players.

Member Duties

• As a member, you are expected to complete set and bar duties.
  Duty rosters are posted at the club and on Facebook.
  You will also receive a reminder email when your duty is approaching.

• If you are unavailable for your assigned duty, it is your responsibility to arrange a swap.

• Only the Set Coordinator is responsible for creating match sets.
  This can be a complex task, please do not change the sets or make requests.

 After Play

• Please ensure all grass courts are locked after use.

Stay Informed

• We send out a monthly newsletter with updates on pennants, events, facilities, and club news.
  If you're a member, please check your email regularly.
  If you're not receiving the newsletter, let us know so we can update your contact details.

 Social Tennis Times

Everyone is welcome to join our weekly social tennis sessions:

• Tuesday: 9:30am – 12:00pm

• Wednesday: 8:00pm – 9:30pm

• Saturday & Sunday: 1:30pm – 5:00pm

Social tennis is free for members and $20 for visitors.

Need Help or Have Questions?

If you have any questions or if any issues arise, please contact the committee:
Email: committee@scarboroughtennis.com.au

Phone: 9200 1862

SCARBOROUGH TENNIS CLUB – COURT ETIQUETTE
We’ve outlined these principles to ensure that playing tennis at STC is enjoyable, respectful, and inclusive for all.

Social Tennis Etiquette

• The Set Coordinator is solely responsible for creating sets.
  Please do not change sets or make requests.

• When the bell rings, sets have been organised.
  You may then check the whiteboard to see your court and playing group.

• Only positive feedback to the Set Coordinator is welcome and appreciated.

• If playing with a visitor or new member, please introduce yourself and help them feel welcome.

• If you're finishing for the day, draw a line through your name tag.

• Members may choose to play casually instead of joining social sets.
  You may politely ask if they’d like to join, but do not pressure or harass them.

• Social tennis includes players of all abilities.
  Expect to play with a variety of partners and opponents. Please respect the Set Coordinator’s efforts.

• Be mindful of the standard of play in your set.
  Adjust your game to suit the group and ensure everyone enjoys their time on court.

• If you have ongoing concerns about the sets you're placed in, please speak with the Captain’s Team, not the Set Coordinator.

• When the bell sounds to end a set, finish the point and leave the court promptly.

• At the end of your set, leave the balls next to the net post.

On-Court Etiquette

• Be respectful to all players, regardless of ability.
  We aim to create a welcoming environment for everyone.

• Discrimination, racism, or violent behaviour will not be tolerated.
  Offenders may be asked to leave immediately and could be subject to the three-strike disciplinary system.

• Always act in line with the club’s Code of Conduct. Offenders may be subject to the three-strike disciplinary system.

• Call the score before each point when serving, stating your score first.

• Collect and return balls on your side of the net to the server, ideally along the ground.

• If a stray ball enters your court, stop play immediately and replay the point.

• When retrieving or returning a ball to another court, wait until their point is finished.

• Avoid walking behind courts during play.
  Use an alternate route, especially during pennants or competitive matches.

• Do not dispute line calls once made.

• Avoid excessive grunting, shouting, or racket abuse—these are considered unsportsmanlike.

• At the end of a match, thank your opponents with a handshake or racket tap.

• Offensive or bullying behaviour is unsportsmanlike and will not be tolerated. Offenders may be subject to the three-strike disciplinary system.

VAS BOOKING SYSTEM (FORMERLY "BOOK A COURT")
The new booking system is now live and has been running relatively smoothly over the last two weeks. A big thank you to everyone for your patience during installation and any teething issues (especially our coaching team!)

To book a court, simply:

1. Click the link on our website to access the booking page.

2. Log into your ClubSpark account (as a member, you already have one).

3. Select your day, time, and court.

4. Choose the length of time using the dropdown.

5. Hit continue and follow through to confirm your booking.

If your booking is after 6pm and requires floodlights, there’s a $10/hour charge for members. Once booked, you’ll receive a 4-digit access code. For example, if your code is 1234, enter 1234# on the keypad. You can access the court 15 minutes before your booking time.

Floodlights will automatically switch on when you enter your code and turn off 15 minutes after your session, giving you time to pack up.

Please, please, PLEASE close the gates when you leave the courts!

A quick reminder: yes, you do need to book a court. The system is open to the public, so if someone books a court and shows up while you're playing, they have priority. Booking is free for members during the day, so just jump online and lock in your spot.

If you want a court, Please book the court.

CONOR O’HARA
CLUB CAPTAIN