THE Bellingen Park Tennis Club 2021 Championship has kicked off in fine style, with spectacular spring weather and an enthusiastic field of 30 players filling the courts over the past week.

Due to the Covid restrictions and with the possibility of another lockdown over the tournament period, we have limited the 2021 Club Championship to singles only, with approved Covid Safe protocols in the event of lockdown.

We are thrilled to have 10 players in each of A, B & C Grade, with female and male players represented in all the grades.

Each Grade has been split into 2 Groups of 5 players, with a round robin format to determine who makes the semi-finals.

The first week of the Group stages has produced some intense battles on court and interesting results, with a few of the likely semi finalists taking shape and others with a wide open field.

A Grade: Darcy Cronin and Kurt Murphy have both made barnstorming starts and are yet to drop a set in their respective Groups.

Also playing some fine tennis are Mel Legend and Moshik Goffer, with other A Grade hopefuls facing an uphill battle to reach the semi finals!

B Grade: Local icon Rod ‘Coach’ Keers has made a strong start to his campaign, as have Murray Gan and Glenn Turner.

Talent appears to be spread evenly through this Grade though and there are plenty of opportunities for others to reach Finals Day.

C Grade: Sam Horton has produced dominating form to be currently unbeaten, with Rachael Raven close behind with just the one loss to Sam. A special mention to Stella Wilson who has been on the wrong side of 2 thrillers. In the other Group, Justin Brow and Beth Gibbings have both started well but there are plenty of matches still to be played to winnow out the semi finalists.

Finals Day is scheduled for Sunday 17 October when all Grades will play their semi finals and finals….hopefully with BBQ and crowds allowed!

We would also like to thank our Tournament Sponsors who have very generously offered their support:

● Bellingen Canoe Adventures
● Nambucca Heads Island Golf Club
● Alchemy in Bellingen
● Brunos Mediterranean Kitchen
● Hyde Bellingen
● Bellingen IGA
● Liquor Stax
● Kombu Wholefoods
● Bellingen Park Tennis Club