Sport
3 April, 2026
Late line call on tournament
ORGANISERS of Boort’s annual Easter tennis tournament are uncertain of player numbers this year because of the fuel supply crisis.
Tournament manager Alister McDougal said some potential entrants were leaving it until the last minute to make a decision on playing, waiting to see what happened with petrol and diesel prices.
Adding to the uncertainty is not knowing when the Federal Government’s recently announced halving of the fuel excise tax will flow through to the pumps, lowering prices.
The long weekend of matches has attracted up to 400 players some years, with play running from Good Friday to Easter Monday.
As of Tuesday morning, there had been about 200 entries for this tournament.
Highlights include the men’s and women’s singles championships, which each offer $500 prizemoney and a perpetual trophy, played on Friday.
Last year the men’s and women’s champions were husband and wife pair Jarrod and Natalie Savage.
It was Jarrod’s 15th win in the event, achieved after two years of not entering the tournament and almost 20 years after first taking out the title.
Despite having had his appendix removed on Labour Day, Jarrod has entered again this year but faces a dilemma. His son, Brodie, wants to play with his dad in the family male doubles event, which is on at the same time as the men’s championships, so Jarrod has a tough decision to make.
Natalie Savage has entered the women’s competition again.
Other events over the weekend include veteran mixed doubles for over-40s and over-60s, Fast-4 tennis in men’s, women’s and mixed categories.
Junior boys’ and junior girls’ singles matches are played on Sunday, with doubles on Monday, along with men’s and women’s doubles.
Saturday includes ferret racing after matches conclude, and on Sunday local star Elias Lanyon will perform.
The neighbouring Boort Lakeside Croquet Club is offering a social croquet event on Good Friday night.