Yarrawonga will be the host town for the huge Tennis Victoria Country Week tournament in February 2023.
Attracting 1,200 players from Monday, February 12 through to Friday, February 17 the event will provide a huge economic injection into Yarrawonga Mulwala with accommodation already filling up.
Tennis Victoria last week announced the venue last week after a quick but exhaustive process to find a suitable replacement host after recent flooding forced the cancellation of the planned event at Shepparton and Mooroopna.
Last time Yarrawonga Mulwala hosted the Country Week tennis event was back in 2017.
Yarrawonga Mulwala Tourism and Business Executive Noel Wright said the 2017 event injected close to $3 million into the local economy.
“It will be a fantastic economic boost into the local economy once again,” Mr Wright said.
“Accommodation bookings are already streaming through since the announcement late last week.
“We have a strong relationship with Tennis Victoria and the tennis club have a proven record of being fantastic hosts.
“Since 2014 we have hosted the Country Festival of Tennis with several hundred juniors and seniors coming from all parts of Australia and even overseas playing here every November. This year’s tournament was another great success.”
The 2023 event was due to be held in Shepparton / Mooroopna and hosted by City of Greater Shepparton. However, Council advised that the recent floods have taken their toll on the temporary courts at Mooroopna and council are unable to do the work to prepare them for the upcoming event.
The 2017 event saw matches played on courts at the Tennis Club, the neighbouring JC Lowe Oval, Victoria Park and Stan Hargreaves Oval, and will be the same again in 2023.
Tennis Victoria CEO Adam Crameri said they were extremely pleased with the outcome of the changed host venue for the event.
“We appreciate the Yarrawonga Lawn Tennis Club, Moira Shire and Yarrawonga Mulwala Tourism support in offering to host the event at such short notice,” Mr Crameri said.
“With ten weeks to go until the event starts, this will be the shortest runway we have had for a Country Week event, but we are up for the challenge and grateful to all parties for making it possible.
“We have been partners with Yarrawonga Mulwala Tourism for many years now and we are thrilled that they are supporting this event knowing the positive impact it will have on the community of Yarrawonga.
“Tennis Victoria would like to acknowledge and thank the Wodonga Tennis Centre and City of Wodonga who made themselves available to host the 2023 event if required.”
Tennis Victoria Country Week 2023 will take place in Yarrawonga from Monday 13 February – Friday 17 February with the welcome event on Sunday 12 February 2023. The 2024 event will go ahead as scheduled at the Wodonga Tennis Centre from 11-16 February 2024.
Registrations for the 2023 event are now open.