Tennis is coming back to Tailem Bend

Locals support locals – that’s why this recent post is now free to read. Your support can help Murray Bridge News tell important local stories. Subscribe today.

A newly elected committee is poised to relaunch Tailem Bend Tennis Club at the new netball courts on Granites Road.

At a successful annual general meeting on Monday, a fresh committee was elected and tasked to collaborate with the community to slowly, but surely, reintroduce tennis opportunities back to the town.

The club’s presidency was filled by Graham Melbourne; Leonne Capes was voted in for the roles of vice president, secretary and public officer; and the position of treasurer was filled by Ms Capes’ daughter Jade, all Tailem Bend locals.

Committee members include Graeme Smith, of Wellington East, and Raelene Ellis, Neil and Margaret Hampton, Kerry Melbourne and Angela and Alan Vale, of Tailem Bend.

Locals support locals. Your support helps Murray Bridge News tell important local stories.

Tammy O’Malley, a community development and special project officer with the Coorong District Council, said it was not expected that the club would enter back into competition straight away.

Instead, it would begin working to re-introduce the sport back into the community.

“In the words of Bob Dylan, the times they are a-changing – our world is a lot different to what most of us remember,” she said.

“However, it’s important to remember to be flexible and to accommodate those who operate in the new way of life of social media, text messaging and emailing.

“The cost of living has seen great impacts on volunteer numbers, so it’s time for clubs to look at ways to operate differently and still include those that now have to work full time.”

Encouraging volunteers to consider ways to contribute to the community without being too demanding and unmanageable, she suggested that volunteers may rather consider helping in managing, say, a Facebook page or help in creating posters and flyers for a club; or it could be something simple, but just as important, as cleaning the clubroom or toilets once a fortnight.

“Nothing changes if nothing changes,” she said.

In the past 12 months, the Coorong council’s community sustainability program has delivered numerous events, workshops and activities that have focused on things like social media and marketing, how to use Canva, succession planning and governance, preparing for grants, dealing with conflict and attracting volunteers.

“We certainly covered a lot of topics and it's been rewarding to watch our volunteers, community members and committees put these skills to work,” Ms O’Malley said.

She believed that Coorong communities were busy but didn’t want to see their clubs and groups disappear, so – she said – it was important to look at things with a different lens.

“Don't be afraid to think outside the square,” she said..

The next meeting of the Tailem Bend Tennis Club will be held from 6pm on November 20 at the Tailem Bend netball clubrooms; everybody will be welcome.