As passionate beach tennis enthusiasts, we have been tirelessly seeking ways to develop this sport in our beloved state of Victoria. We are not alone in this endeavour; a large community shares my passion and desire for accessible beach tennis facilities. We all relish the joy of playing at the beach, but currently, our capacity is limited by the use of a couple of private portable courts and their availability.

Without appropriate infrastructure the sport can’t grow. There is a lack of private and public venues to play the sport therefore we urge the city to support making it available to the community. 

We emphasise the remarkable strides made in other Australian states, setting a precedent for the growth and development of this exhilarating sport that cater to all fitness levels and ages. Notably, years ago Brisbane took a bold step by establishing an exclusive beach tennis club, attracting members daily and fostering a vibrant community. Sydney, too, boasts multiple groups actively running along iconic beaches such as Manly, Collaroy, Maroubra, and Bondi, creating dynamic hubs for beach tennis enthusiasts for years now. In Western Australia (WA), the commitment to beach tennis is evident with groups actively playing at the beach and utilising permanent facilities to host daily sessions. The success stories from other regions, including South Australia, the Gold Coast and Sunshine coast among others, showcase the transformative impact of beach tennis groups emerging at the beach, contributing to the sport's flourishing culture. In those areas, people can compete in social leagues, private and group lessons, social games and social gatherings among other opportunities coming from the beach tennis community. 

In contrast, Melbourne, renowned as Australia's sports city, is lagging behind in providing both public and private opportunities for beach tennis. The absence of permanent facilities has hindered our community, which now comprises over 150 enthusiasts actively seeking spaces to play since September 2023. Every week, we receive multiple expressions of interest from people wanting to join us, and we anticipate even more interest due to the first-ever Beach Tennis Tournament hosted by Victoria Beach Tennis in January 2024 in Saint Kilda West Beach where players from different parts of the world will showcase the highest level of beach tennis in Australia and the First Rainbow Beach Tennis Festival hosted by our Queer Community Group Rainbow Beach Tennis Victoria during February 2024 where people part of the LGTBQIA+ community will gather to enjoy beach tennis in Altona Beach.

Imagine the positive impact of designated beach tennis courts along our coast or within sandy spaces in public parks. Such facilities would not only cater to the rising demand but also contribute to the vibrancy of our community. Just imagine how beneficial it would be for our community if posts and nets were permanently set up for anyone eager to play beach tennis at any time! As volleyballers, tennis players, skaters, soccer and footballers among others sports enthusiasts can participate in communitary spaces.  By establishing permanent facilities, Melbourne can join the ranks of leading cities in beach tennis development across Australia. 

Therefore, we call upon local authorities to recognise the need for these facilities and take action towards making them available. By doing so, they will not only promote physical activity among residents but also foster a sense of community through shared interests. We are a big growing community! 

Join us in advocating for the swift creation of free-access permanent beach tennis courts across Melbourne - because every enthusiast deserves the chance to enjoy their favourite sport without limitations. Sign this petition today!