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President’s Message from the Annual General Meeting

Tim Benton

To Our Members,

As we begin another year together, I wanted to take a moment to reflect on what this wonderful club means to me and where we’re heading together. If you don’t mind a touch of self indulgence!

This year marks the beginning of my 25th year as President of Doutta Galla Tennis Club, a journey that began for me at 23!

It is a milestone that is difficult to believe. Alongside me, our incredible Treasurer, Kat Glass, also begins her 25th year of service to the club. To dedicate a quarter of a century as volunteers is something neither of us could have imagined, but it reflects just how much this club means to us.

For me, Doutta Galla has never simply been a place to play tennis.

Before my father passed away when I was young, he introduced my brother and me (and mum) to this wonderful club. I could never have imagined that one day I would have the privilege of serving as President of the very club where those memories began.

It is about family, friendships, belonging and creating memories that last a lifetime.

That is probably why I have never really left.

Over the years I have had the privilege of meeting so many wonderful members, players, parents, volunteers and committee members. Many of those friendships have now lasted decades and remain just as strong today.

For more than 75 years, generations of volunteers have helped shape Doutta Galla Tennis Club into what it is today. I am incredibly proud of what we have achieved together over the past two decades – from our new synthetic courts, LED lighting and BAC access system, to clubhouse improvements, stronger governance, expanded competitions and continued investment in our facilities.

These achievements have only been possible because of the dedication of our volunteers, committee members, coaches, sponsors and members who continually give their time to make our club better.

We are proud to be a boutique club. We know our members, we know our families, and we strive to create an environment where everyone feels welcome.

My goal has always been simple – to be the best club we can be, to keep improving every year, and to leave the club in a better position for the next generation than we found it.

As I begin my 25th year as President, I remain incredibly grateful for the opportunity to help lead a club that has given me so much throughout my life.

Thank you for your continued support, friendship and belief in our club. It is an honour and privilege to serve as part of this club.

Here’s to another fantastic year and to an exciting future for Doutta Galla Tennis Club.

Regards,

Aaron Sharpe
President
Doutta Galla Tennis Club

Autumn Juniors and Thursday Ladies Finals Update

Tim Benton

It has been a busy week for the Club, with a number of teams playing Semi Finals:

  • The two Thursday Ladies teams played against each other in a hotly contested Semi Final. Doutta Galla Black defeated Doutta Galla Red by seven games, with Doutta Galla Black going on to play Buckley Park in the Grand Final this Thursday.
  • The A Grade 3 Boys Team defeated Maribyrnong Park in their Semi Final 39 games to 16. The team, consisting of Oren, Tomo, Sam, Ethan and Alex, won all but one set in a strong display. They go on to play Royal Park at Sunbury this Friday night.
  • The D Special 2 Unisex team defeated Deer Park in their Semi Final 35 games to 18. The team, consisting of Magnus, Anton, Nathaniel and Matiyar, started very strongly and continued throughout the match, dropping only one set. The team play Mt. Carmel at West Brunswick this Saturday morning.

On behalf of the entire Club we wish these teams the best of luck in their upcoming Grand Finals.

Annual General Meeting scheduled for Sunday 28 June

Tim Benton

The Club’s Annual General Meeting is scheduled for Sunday 28 June 2026 from 7:30pm at the Clubhouse.

The Meeting will involve a summary of the year within the Club as well as any other business for the coming year. The Committee as well as office bearers for the 2026/2027 year will also be nominated.

All Members are welcome to attend the AGM. If any Members are unable to attend and wish for a topic to be discussed, you are welcome to send the Club an Email and we will place your topic on the agenda.

NSNTA Grand Finals Update and NSJTA Semi Finals Announced

Tim Benton

Last week the Club had two teams last week play in Grand Finals:

  • The Ladies B Reserve 2 team won their Semi Final against Ascot Vale, 32 games to 27, and then went on to be defeated by West Brunswick in the Grand Final 23 games to 31. The team, consisting of Kim, Emily, Nicole and Kathy were close throughout the match however West Brunswick proved too strong in the end.
  • The Mens C Grade 1 team won their Semi Final against the first on the ladder team of North Sunshine in a very close final that went down to the last games of the last set, 28 games to 25. The team, consisting of Andrew, Luke, Liam and Rod, went on to play a much more formidable team in Airport West in the Grand Final, losing 15 games to 31.

Commiserations to both teams on their Grand Final results, however a big congratulations are in order in making the finals and winning the semi final. The next season is starting in August.

The NSJTA Season has also come to a close over the weekend, with the last round being played. The Finals Fixture has been announced, with the Club having two teams playing in Finals the weekend after the long weekend:

  • The A Grade 3 Boys team play Maribyrnong Park on Friday 12 June.
  • The D Special 2 Unisex team play Deer Park on Saturday 13 June

The Club wishes both teams luck in the finals and thanks all juniors and their parents for playing this year in what was great season.

NSNTA Finals Start This Week and Team Entries for Next Season Close Soon

Tim Benton

The NSNTA Season has come to a close and we move onto the Finals, with the Semi Finals starting this week. The Club has two teams playing in the upcoming Finals:

  • The Ladies B Reserve 2 team play Ascot Vale at Sydenham on Tuesday
  • The Mens C Grade 1 Team play North Sunshine at Merlynston on Thursday

Please note that the Club will host the Ladies C Reserve 2 Semi Final on Tuesday Night.

Thanks to all teams for playing this season and good luck to the teams in the Semi Finals this week.

Also, the entries for next Season are now open and close by Wednesday 3 June. If you wish to play next season and are currently in a team, please contact your team’s captain. If you wish to join a team, please contact the Club.

Fencing replacement completed and Courts are now available for use

Tim Benton

The Fencing replacement has been completed and the Courts are now available for use. Matches that were previously due to be rescheduled from Monday 27 April onward are now due to be played back at Doutta Galla. Please enjoy the newer, higher fences at the Club.

Special thanks go to our Treasurer, Kat, who has spent many hours rescheduling matches and organising the project. Kat’s work is much appreciated by the Committee and all Members at the Club.

Thanks to the Moonee Valley City Council for funding this work.

Also thanks to all Members for their patience and understanding during this time.

Courts Now Unavailable due to Fencing Replacement Project

Tim Benton

The Club’s Fencing Replacement Project has now commenced, the Club’s Courts will be unavailable for the next month, with the works expected to be completed during the week of 9 May 2026.

All Competition Matches have been moved to new venues, with the details of each match and the new venue being listed on the Club’s Web Site. The Book a Court System is disabled. Members and Visitors are not permitted to use the facilities for this period.

If you have any questions please Contact the Club.

We thank all Members for their understanding during this project.

Fencing Replacement Project Match Relocations

Tim Benton

The Club has organised for the following Matches to be moved due to the unavailability of the Courts due to the Fencing Replacement Project.

Date CompetitionGradeTeams PlayingLocation of courts obtained
9th AprilThursdayNSNTA – Mens Night CompB Spec 4Doutta Galla vs. StrathmoreGreenvale
9th April
ThursdayNSNTA – Mens Night CompC Grade 1Doutta Galla vs. North SunshineNorth Sunshine
14th AprilTuesdayNSNTA – Ladies Night CompB Reserve 2Doutta Galla vs. St VincentsOak Park
15th AprilWednesdayNSNTA – Mixed Night CompB Grade 3Doutta Galla vs. EssendonEssendon
16th AprilThursdayNSNTA – Mens Night CompA GradeEssendon v.s St TheresesTo be advised
16th April ThursdayNSNTA – Mens Night CompB Spec 1Doutta Galla vs. North ParkDeer Park
18th AprilSaturdayNSJTA – Saturday CompD Special 2 (unisex)Doutta Galla vs. Mt Carmel @ BVWestmeadows
21st AprilTuesdayNSNTA – Ladies Night CompB Spec 1Doutta Galla vs. West BrunswickOak Park
21st AprilTuesdayNSNTA – Ladies Night CompC Reserve 2Doutta Galla vs. West Brunswick (Black)Oak Park
22nd AprilWednesdayNSNTA – Mixed Night CompB Spec 1Doutta Galla vs. Keilor EastKeilor East
23rd AprilThursdayNSLTA – Thursday LadiesSection 4Doutta Galla (Black) vs. Maribyrnong ParkMaribyrnong Park
23rd April ThursdayNSNTA – Mens Night CompB Spec 4Doutta Galla vs. West BrunswickDeer Park
23rd AprilThursdayNSNTA – Mens Night CompC Grade 1Doutta Galla vs. Buckley ParkDeer Park
24th AprilFridayNSJTA – Friday Night CompA Grade 3 BoysDoutta Galla vs. Taylors LakesOak Park

Club Fencing Replacement Project to commence in April

Tim Benton

The Committee have been working in conjunction with the Moonee Valley City Council on a Project to replace all fences and gates that surround the Club.

The Council have agreed to fund the project and the work has been scheduled during April and May. Work is expected to start starting on approx. Tuesday 7th April to continue to approx. Tuesday 5th May.

Unfortunately, the Courts will not be usable during this time. The Committee will organise for Competition matches played in this period across all associations to be moved to alternate venues. The Book a Court System during this time will be suspended and Members are asked not to use the Club’s facilitites.

The Committee will be in contact with all Team Captains to provide the details of where the replacement matches will be held and will keep the Web Site updated with the schedule of replacement matches.

The Committe thanks Members in advance for their patience while these works are completed and thanks the Moonee Valley City Council for the funding for this work.

Night Tennis and the Importance of Completing a Match Result Sheet

Tim Benton

The Club has received a few fines in the past few seasons in the NSNTA with the root cause being Teams not completing a Match Result Sheet.

The Committee would like to remind all players that it is a requirement of the competition that a paper Match Result Sheet be completed for every match. The Club gets fined for this not being completed in the event of a dispute of result or in particular, mispelling an Emergency’s Name.

The Club has been paying these fines on behalf of teams, however the Committee may elect to pass these fines onto teams if this continues.

If your team plays an Emergency Player, please check with that player before they leave the spelling of their name, their playing history and write it on the Sheet. If the Emergency Player has left and you are not sure of the player’s spelling of their name, please contact the Committee and we will confirm their name prior to you submitting a Result.

So please remember to complete a paper Match Result Sheet and keep it for at least 7 days after the match so we can reconcile any disputes with the NSNTA.

There are Sheets available within the Club and may be downloaded from the NSNTA’s Web Site at https://nsnta.org/formsmatchresult.html

Thanks for everyone’s cooperation and the Committee wishes everyone luck for the season.