A look at the Wollongong Regional Tennis Centre. Photo: Complete Tennis.
Wollongong is setting its sights on becoming a regional tennis powerhouse, and it begins this weekend with the Wollongong Festival of Tennis celebrating the city’s newly opened 15-court tennis precinct.
Wollongong Regional Tennis Centre, formerly known as Beaton Park Tennis Centre, opened this month and will now play host to the nine-day festival from 14-22 February, featuring a mix of social play, competitive events and inclusive community activities aimed at players of all ages and abilities.
Complete Tennis managing director Stuart O’Shannessy said the festival was about more than just elite sport, it was an invitation for the whole community to experience what the new state-of-the-art facility had to offer.
He said the centre included eight international-standard, cushioned acrylic courts, two community hardcourts, four synthetic grass courts, and another multipurpose court available for public use.
New shade structures and seating, floodlighting, pathways and soft landscaping have also been installed as part of the works on the elite show courts.
“The Wollongong Festival of Tennis was designed to launch Wollongong Regional Tennis Centre with impact, building excitement around Wollongong’s future as a regional powerhouse for tennis — from elite international events to everyday community play,” O’Shannessy said.
“The festival serves as an invitation to come and enjoy the new 15‑court precinct, with activities designed for people of all ages, backgrounds, and abilities.”
O’Shannessy said a key focus of the festival was encouraging participation and removing barriers to entry for people who might not have picked up a racquet in years — or ever.
“The purpose of the festival is to invite as many people as possible to try tennis and experience the new courts,” he said.
“The facility is designed to support tennis for everyone — community players, schools, coaching programs, disability groups, competitions, and social players — all of which are highlighted as key pillars of the centre’s ongoing success.”
He said the festival program included come and try open days, a One Point Slam Wollongong Championship, junior and family activities, pickleball showcases, a RALLY4EVER mental health and wellbeing event, cardio tennis, and dedicated all-abilities programming, designed to foster lifelong participation in the sport.
The courts will also be officially opened during the festival.
O’Shannessy said one of the standout moments for him would be the return of an historic Wollongong tournament.
The community are invited to get involved with the nine-day Wollongong Festival of Tennis. Photo: Complete Tennis.
“Sunday 22nd will see the return of the Wollongong Age Championships for the first time since COVID,” he said.
“This event has featured all of the very best tennis players to play in the region since it was first held in 1964 and I am very excited to see it return for our next generation of kids to be part of.”
In the past, the event has attracted hundreds of competitors and spectators.
He said another highlight would be the All Abilities Day, which would celebrate tennis as a truly inclusive sport.
“The All Abilities program for tennis includes wheelchair tennis, which has become so popular off the back of players like Dylan Alcott and their success,” he said.
“But it is also so much more. Tennis offers programs for deaf, the blind, parastanding, autistic and the intellectually disabled.
“We are delighted to welcome City Community Tennis experts in all abilities tennis to come and share their experience and make it a great afternoon for everyone.”
O’Shannessy said tennis was uniquely placed as a sport that could be enjoyed at any stage of life.
“It’s a sport you can play with your family, enjoy socially with your mates, or — if you practise hard enough — can take you around the world,” he said.
“It’s inclusive, it’s accessible, and it offers something for everyone, no matter your age, ability or ambition.”
He encouraged locals to dust off their racquets and come along to the festival, which was supported by Complete Tennis, Wollongong City Council and Tennis NSW.
“Whether it is for fitness, for laughs or to meet new people, the Festival of Tennis has been designed to encourage people to get their racquets out of the cupboard and come and be part of a fantastic new sporting investment in Wollongong,” he said.
View the full Wollongong Festival of Tennis program, which runs from 14-22 February at the Wollongong Regional Tennis Centre in Foley Street, Gwyneville, with events and activities open to the public throughout the week.
