Tennis ACT’s Women’s League welcomes women of all skill levels. Photo: Michelle Kroll.
Tennis ACT’s Women’s Tennis League is encouraging more women to “have a hit”, no matter their skill level, fitness level or age.
Tennis ACT Competitive Play Lead Skye Davis says the casual, pay-as-you-go Wednesday night matches help address a gap in the market.
“All our other leagues in Canberra are unisex, and for female players returning to tennis or just wanting to try it out, coming up against male players can be daunting,” she says.
“Our Women’s Tennis League provides opportunities for women to play other women.”
Designed by the female staff at Tennis ACT, the league addresses some of the real challenges for busy female working professionals, mums and students.
“As a mum myself, I completely understand the time commitment challenges we are all facing, and how we fit in some ‘me time’,” Tennis ACT’s Head of Tennis Brittany Hughes says.
“Having a tennis league created by women for women was important for us as a sport to address these challenges.”
Though originally established as a social league, recently in answer to feedback from players Tennis ACT branched out to create a competitive stream.
“In the past we’ve only ever played doubles, but based on feedback we received from previous seasons, some league members wanted to try singles. So, we added singles as a part of our new compete stream,” Skye says.
“But for those looking to find their feet as they come back to the sport, try tennis for the first time or simply play very casually we also have our social stream. It’s a low-pressure environment where they’re welcomed by other people in a similar situation.”
Women’s League matches run on Wednesday nights, with a compete stream at 6:30 pm and a social stream at 7:30 pm.
Women can sign up week to week, and simply turn up on the night, so they’re not locked into a term.
People signing up on their own will be appropriately matched by skill and fitness levels with another player for their match.
Canberra woman Carina O started playing last year in the social stream, and this year is giving the compete stream a go.
“As much as I enjoyed the social stream, I decided to mix things up this year. I’ll probably go back to social, but I’m enjoying challenging myself for the moment,” she says.
Returning after a long hiatus, Carina says the league was the perfect way to rediscover the sport.
“I only played for a few seasons towards the end of primary school, and I had never played competitively. I hadn’t touched a racquet since, until now,” she says.
“I was a bit nervous, but I’m not trying to be the next Ash Barty or anything – I am here for the fitness and social element, and it’s been fantastic for that.”
Women’s League matches are played on a variety of courts including clay, grass, hard and, when the weather turns, indoor.
Carina says regardless of your stream, the league presents a welcoming and supportive environment.
“People aren’t judgemental if you don’t have the skills – they’re eager to help you learn and progress,” she says.
“Tennis can certainly be a competitive sport and there are opportunities for that in the Women’s League if you want. But there are women across so many skill levels, fitness levels, ages and stages in life that you always find ladies in the same boat as you.
“If like me you haven’t played in a long time, if you’ve never tried or if you want to get fit but hate the gym, it’s a great way to just go have a hit.”
For more information on the Women’s League visit Tennis ACT.
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