The lights shine bright at Valla Beach Tennis Club

Nambucca Valley Council received NSW Government funding to upgrade the lighting at the Valla Beach tennis courts to LED to allow night tennis to be played throughout the year, and now locals and visitors are being urged to pick up a racquet.

Nambucca Valley Council’s General Manager Bede Spannagle said the court upgrades have been a boost to the seaside village.

"We have such a wonderful climate here to get out for a hit in the afternoons and evenings, but the lack of lighting was stopping that”, Mr Spannagle said.

“The increased usage hours mean more people can have a hit after school or work and build their physical and mental health, not to mention growing their love of the game.”

The Club was founded in 1958 when the coastal village numbered just 81 residents and was a haven for holiday makers.

A group of enterprising community members decided a tennis court would be a great community asset and banded together to clear the dense bushland with picks, shovels and axes before carting water for the new surface.

Legend has it there was a large Tallowwood tree, almost two metres in width, right in the middle of the chosen location and the group felled the tree, dug the roots out by hand and used two large truckloads of gravel to fill the hole.

Despite the hard yards, Club President Ron Henderson said the local enthusiasm for the courts didn’t stop there.

“Tennis was so popular in the 1980’s one court couldn’t keep up with demand, so a group of volunteers approached Council to add a second court,” Mr Henderson said.

“It’s been a great addition to the club and over the years we’ve enjoyed social tennis in the afternoons and evenings, competition tennis, and even hosted evening district competitions.”

Lighting installer, Power by Watts, replaced eight metal halide light fittings with LED lights reducing energy usage at the courts by 45 per cent and providing uniform lighting across the courts.

The installation was carefully planned to prevent light spill onto the nearby road and properties.

Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development Executive Director Harriet Whyte said the court’s long history of community backing is ace.

“The story of how the Valla Beach courts started and the dedication of the volunteers that look after them to this day is impressive,” Ms Whyte said.

“We know the locals love their courts and that’s good news for residents and visitors alike.”

A total of $114,465 NSW Government funding covered upgrades to the Valla Beach, Nambucca Heads and Macksville tennis courts.

Visitors can hire the courts through the club website and club members can access the courts at any time, join cardio tennis on Friday mornings or junior and adult coaching on Tuesdays.

For more information, go to: Valla Beach Tennis Club