Tennis and golf experience surge in popularity in Tassie

Sports like tennis and golf are experiencing a surge in popularity in Tasmania, which is being attributed in part to their natural Covid-safe qualities. WHERE YOU CAN PLAY >>

TENNIS and golf are experiencing a surge in popularity in Tasmania, which is being attributed in part to their natural Covid-safe qualities.

Players and executives of both sports say their outdoor and distanced nature make them an attractive option during pandemic times.

The Domain Tennis Centre in Hobart now has 582 members compared to 415 in January 2020, a 40 per cent increase.

Centre manager Edward Bourchier said the rise was due to additional tennis programs, investment into facilities, promoting women in tennis, and the sport’s social distancing nature.

“Covid gave us an opportunity to engage with the existing tennis community ... in getting people to join as members and not just to play as a casual,’’ he said.

“But certainly, the social distancing by nature has helped with the interest in tennis and casual court hire.

Sonia Mangat, husband Simran and Daughter Vaani at the Domain tennis centre Photo: Linda Higginson

“A focus is for women and inclusion, but we’ve noticed the increase across the board, even in older retirees as well.”

Sonia Mangat, who plays at the club alongside husband Simran and daughter Vaani, said they have been avid members since 2015 when they moved to Australia from England.

When the pandemic arrived, the family was grateful to have a sport they could play safely and continuously.

“It actually brought stability for us and it was the one thing that kept us sane through Covid,’’ she said.

“I didn’t have any concerns about my children continuing to play the sport throughout the pandemic and it was a good reason to be outdoors.”

Meanwhile, more Australians are playing golf than ever before with the biggest increase ever in new members, and the trend is being seen in Tasmania.

Nationally, there was a 6.4 per cent increase year on year, and in Tasmania there was a 4.6 per cent spike in new members.

Michelle Anderson and son George who have recently signed up as members at Royal Hobart Golf Club. Picture: Linda Higginson

At the end of June last year, there were 10,353 club members in Tasmania, up from 9900 the year before.

“Tasmania is simply replicating what we’re seeing across the rest of the country but also across the world,’’ Golf Australia’s general manager of golf participation David Gallichio said.

“Yes it’s because of natural social distancing, but golf was also able to be played when other sports were not.

“This is a once in the history of the sport shot in the arm, and our catch cry is now about retention, retention, retention.”

Michelle Anderson recently signed up to the Royal Hobart Golf Club with son George, who she takes to junior clinics.

“I find it really good because children these days spend so much time on technology and thins, so it’s really good to get him out and socialise with other kids of his own age,’’ she said.

“I used to play a little bit of golf when I lived in the UK ... it’s very social, it’s good exercise and it’s a beautiful environment up at the Royal.

“I look forward to this year playing more regularly.”

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