Koonwarra Tennis Club
"Koonwarra's number
one man, Greg Marshman,
serving it up to the opposition"
2005-2006 Season
2006-2007 Season
2007-2008 Season
2008-2009 Season
2009-2010 Season
2010-2011 Season
In 1997 the Koonwarra Swans Tennis Club was reformed after approximately 15 years of no Saturday afternoon competition. A group of friends formed an "A" grade team and competed in the Allambee, Mirboo & District Tennis Association.
The Club has spent in the vicinity of $25,000 on improvements. This includes three major concreting projects, which have made the playing area much safer and more enjoyable to play on. The surrounding area has been improved with the introduction of a play ground, amenity improvements and stump removal, all thanks to the most helpful Koonwarra Recreation Reserve. The most recent improvement has been the erection of a brand new $15,000 fence. The facility certainly is one of the most picturesque sporting venues in South Gippsland.
The reformed Club is now in its 13th year of competition and has had great success over the years.
2005-2006 Season
A grade and A Reserve both won their respective grand finals, against such teams from the much larger towns of Leongatha, Korumburra and Mirboo North.
2006-2007 Season
In the 2006-2007 season, the Koonwarra Tennis Club was the only Club to have two A grade teams and teams competing in A Reserve and B grade. A grade Red went on to win the premiership, convincingly beating Leongatha North. A grade Black finished third, A reserve finished fourth and B grade third.
2007-2008 Season
The Koonwarra Tennis Club had a very successful 2007-2008 season. The Club returned to having 3 teams, one in each of the grades. All 3 teams made the finals, with A and B grade both finishing on top of their grade's ladders on completion of the home and away matches.
B grade had a nail biting finish to the season, needing only 2 games to win the premiership with one set to go, Jim Newton and Annette Marshman were able to control their nerves and obtain the necessary games which gave them the premiership by the narrowest of margins, 1 game winners over Korumburra.
Left to Right (B grade Premiers) Deidre Zuidema, Jim
Newton, Jeanne Dekker, Justin Krohn, Kienan Hemming, Mick Hemming,
Rhonda
Newton and Annette Marshman.
This is the first Koonwarra team to have ever won the Allambee, Mirboo & District B grade premiership. Well done to all.
A grade looked like they were heading towards a comfortable win, being up by 11 games going into the mixed. However, Leongatha North managed to win the first two mixed sets, bringing the margin down to only 2 games with one set to go. It all came down to the third mixed combination of Diana Thomas (Croatto) and Damien Minogue. To their credit, they blitzed their opponents and could do no wrong, taking out the last set 8 games to love and securing the premiership by 10 games. This is A grade's third premiership in a row! What an effort - Congratulations to all.
Left to Right (A grade Premiers) Damien Minogue,
Kerri Besley, Diana Thomas, Nikki Cornelis, Ashley Zuidema and Greg Marshman.
There was even more success to come Koonwarra's way at the Annual Annual Presentation Dinner. Koonwarra's A grade number one pair, Greg Marshman and Nikki Cornelis, were presented with the Association's mixed doubles trophy. Greg also taking out the men's doubles tournament.
The A grade "Most Games Competition" for men and ladies was also taken out by Koonwarra players. This time it was Ashley Zuidema and Kerri Besley who both easily won the men's and ladies' competitions. Overall, Koonwarra had one of its most successful years and all players and Committee members are to be congratulated.
2008-2009 Season
Koonwarra Tennis Club celebrate "Trifecta"
In the 2008-2009 tennis season, the Koonwarra Tennis Club created history by
becoming only the second Club to have ever won all 3 Premierships in each of
the Allambee Mirboo & District Tennis Association grades - A, A res and B.
This feat has only been achieved once before by the Leongatha Tennis Club.
The A grade team also created outright history by becoming the first team to
have ever won 4 Premierships in a row. This was certainly an extraordinary
effort in 2008-2009, as there were many strong teams throughout the Association.
To celebrate the Club's success, team members from all three grades and partners
attended an enjoyable dinner at Lamont House in Leongatha.
To mark the occasion, the President Mr Greg Marshman, congratulated all team
members, especially noting A reserve's efforts, as they didn't go into the
match as the premiership favorites.
Greg congratulated the B grade team for obtaining back-to-back premierships -
by all means, not an easy accomplishment. Greg also thanked Jim Newton, Barry
Phillips and helpers for their efforts in improving the Club's facilities by
erecting a new $15,000- fence. Such a
fence now guaranteeing the continuation of tennis for the Koonwarra community.
Cheryl Lamb provided a delicious mudcake, which had been inscribed with the
words, "The Koonwarra Premiers - Trifecta A, A res & B".
A fantastic evening was had by all in recognizing the Club's most successful
year and yet again, Lamont House proved to be a marvellous venue for such
celebrations.
Greg Marshman - A Grade
Michelle Charlton - A Rerserve
Mick Hemming - B Grade
2009-2010 Season
Whilst the teams enjoyed their tennis this year, only A Grade made it to a the Grand Final but were unable to match the strength of Leongatha North.
A Reserve and B Grade played off in the final series but found the top teams were just that little bit better.
All in all, the Club did well with all teams finishing the season in the top four.
2010-2011 Season
This year nature played a huge role in causing many washouts. It seemed about a quarter of the matches were unplayed due to wet weather.
All three sides reached the finals again this year, with both B Grade and A Grade reaching their respective Grand Finals.
A Grade came up against their familiar foes in Leongatha North and again were unable to beat this very consistent and even team.
B Grade experienced the success of yet another Grand Final victory over the much more fancied Mardan team.
Mardan had lost very few matches and Koonwarra went into this match as underdogs.
Koonwarra had great determination and previous finals experience, which saw them get off to a great start.
They were winning sets very convincingly and with the help of their fill-in, local girl Tania Newton, they found themselves well up before the mixed.
Koonwarra were able to win a mix and then enough games from the remaining sets to run out easy victors.
Left to right; Karen Ginnane, Brayden Krohn, Deidre Zuidema, Jim Newton, Tania Newton and team captain Mick Hemming.
On an individual note, two of the A Grade Players won the most games awards, that being Nikki Cornelis and Ashley Zuidema.
Whilst Karsten Krohn and Steve Charlton took out the A Reserve Association men's doubles trophy.
Presentation night was a great evening at the Leongatha RSL and was very well supported by the Koonwarra Club members.
Yet again, another very successful year.
Over the years it has been said, the Koonwarra Tennis Club is the most picturesque venue throughout the Association and also is a great venue for children, therefore being a very much family orientated Club.
Many local
families use the facilities on weekends and this is encouraged by our Club.
Tennis participation has to be encouraged amongst our children in order to
provide the longevity of the sport and therefore our Club.
Emblem/ Logo - Black Swan
Location: Buckingham and Fowlers Road, Koonwarra (In the Recreation Reserve Complex)
President: Greg Marshman, 20 Lee Parade, Leongatha, 3953 Phone 5662 3558
Secretary: Barry Phillips, 5 Veronica Court, Leongatha,3953 Phone 5662 4082
Treasurer:
Rhonda Newton, 3770
Strzelecki Highway, Berry's Creek
3953
Phone 5668 8292
Social
Membership $30.00 - Includes Insurance
Senior
Membership $80.00 - Includes Insurance
Junior Membership $30.00
- Includes Insurance