Rival clubs Geraldton and Spalding Tennis Club fuse together to form the Geraldton Tennis Centre

From competitors to collaborators, the Geraldton and Spalding tennis clubs have combined to form the Geraldton Tennis Centre as a central hub for the growing sport in the Mid West. The amalgamation has been in the works for three years, with collaboration between the two clubs creating a single organisation in Geraldton with the help of Tennis West. The newly formed Geraldton Tennis Centre features two hard courts and 23 grass courts, located in the heart of the sporting precinct in Wonthella. Founding president of the centre Luke Ertzen said that the union will benefit both clubs and the sport of tennis in Geraldton. “With shared club resources, volunteers, expertise and finances, we are working towards increasing membership and tennis activities for a range of levels and abilities,” Ertzen said. “We are working on some initiatives to see what is possible in the way of facility improvements, particularly around court surfaces and lighting. “Providing a facility for more tennis under lights is a goal along with bringing back players that may not have played for a while in a friendly and welcoming environment. “We want to create a vibrant future for tennis that benefits everyone in the City of Geraldton.” With both clubs having a long and rich history in Geraldton, the decision to merge the two clubs was not taken lightly. Vice president Tom Powell said that they would aim to honour the past of both clubs. “The amalgamation committee wanted to ensure that club histories and identities were recognised as part of the process,” he said. “All life memberships will be honoured and recognised in the new organisation. “We are looking to remodel and construct new honour boards; these will be located at the Geraldton Tennis Centre.” Powell added that the decision has been a “grand slam” for local tennis players. The Geraldton Tennis Centre is located at 256 Eighth Street, Geraldton and memberships are now available to purchase.