Gold Coast Seniors Tennis Club: Inside ‘blockbuster’ battle for control

The results are in and a winner has been declared after a “clash of the titans” for control of a major Gold Coast sports club. INSIDE STORY

THE incumbent president of one of the Gold Coast’s biggest tennis clubs has survived a surprise challenge to his leadership.

Gold Coast Seniors Tennis Club head Allan Jones won a significant victory at Wednesday night’s Annual General Meeting, securing 85 votes to challenger Mike Wilken’s 29.

The meeting, which was billed ahead of time as a “clash of the titans” and a “blockbuster” followed growing tensions about the club’s direction.

The Bulletin understands there are strong disagreements between the club’s committee and long-time members who pushed for changes in how it is run.

Mr Jones thanked supporters and the club’s management and told the Bulletin he was happy with the outcome.

Allan Jones survived a challenge to retain the club’s presidency. Picture: SUPPLIED

“It was a really strong, healthy committee meeting and in the future we would encourage Mike Wilken and others to nominate for the committee and bring some new ideas,” he said. “I thank all those who attended and the vote which was for the stability of our great club.

“Our new club managers Paul and Carly Hoysted arrived in January and all our members and the community could not be happier with them.

“Support from our committee has been unwavering in recent weeks”.

Tennis Gold Coast president Mike Ford welcomed the result.

“This was a highly anticipated AGM with about 10 times more members in attendance than normal,” he said.

“It gave everyone a chance to be heard, a secret ballot conducted and a result decided.

“Players can now get back on the court, concentrate on hitting the ball in and any acrimony is soon forgotten.”

The seniors tennis club has been a mainstay of the city’s competitive tennis sports scene for more than 40 years and hosts high-level fixtures weekly. It has more than 380 paid-up members.

Its membership is open to players over the age of 30 and has frequently hosted district-wide competitions.

Inside ‘blockbuster’ battle for control of major Coast sports club

A “BLOCKBUSTER” battle for control of one of the Gold Coast’s biggest tennis clubs will play out off the court on Wednesday night.

Mike Wilken will challenge incumbent Gold Coast Seniors Tennis Club president Allan Jones for his long-time post at the Mermaid Waters-based entity at its annual general meeting 7pm.

Up to 300 people are expected to attend what’s being described as a “clash of the titans” meeting at the club’s Pizzey Drive headquarters. It follows growing tensions about the club’s direction.

The Bulletin understands there are strong disagreements between the club’s management and long-time members who are pushing for changes in the way it is run.

The disgruntled members are now pushing to change not just the presidency but the committee.

Tennis Gold Coast president Mike Ford said he expected it to be one of the most memorable club meetings in years.

“This is a democratic blockbuster,” he said. “There’s no proxies or absentee votes allowed, the members who turn up at the AGM (will) decide.”

Mr Wilken, who is running on a platform of accountability and better service to members, did not return the Bulletin’s calls on Tuesday.

Mr Jones said: “I’ve spoken to the committee and we’ll be having no comment about that at all thank you.”

The club has hundreds of members.

Many members of the club declined to speak to the Bulletin citing concerns about the impact of publicly taking sides in the battle.

“I think it will be a very interesting meeting,” one told the Bulletin.

Long-time club member John Dickson nominated for a committee post at Wednesday night’s AGM but his bid was suspended by organisers days later.

He will back Mr Wilken’s bid for the presidency.

Mr Dickson told the Bulletin: “The current committee is very conservative and doesn’t like change at all.

“Personally I am in favour of a new direction with (Mr Wilken), I like his ideas and approach.

“You will probably see some fireworks.”

The seniors tennis club has been a mainstay of the city’s competitive tennis sports scene for more than 40 years and hosts high-level fixtures weekly.

Its membership is open to players over the age of 30 and has frequently hosted district-wide competitions.

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