Tennis courts across the region will be empty this weekend, with local tennis associations following in the footsteps of their summer sport counterparts in calling off scheduled matches.
The Shepparton and District Tennis Association, Goulburn Murray Lawn Tennis Association and Shepparton Junior Tennis Association all delivered the news on Wednesday as the region began to recover from its flooding crisis.
Shepparton Lawn Tennis Club was one of the most heavily affected sporting complexes in the region, with its Welsford St facility still engulfed by the flood water.
Other tennis precincts such as Shepparton North, Mooroopna Lawn and Kialla also copped water damage, while road closures would have made it difficult for players to travel to their scheduled matches on Saturday.
Serving as the secretary of the SJTA and member protection information officer for the SDTA, Heather Lees gave an update on where both associations stood.
“In the juniors we have called off this week, and next week we have a general bye, so that will help us a bit and hopefully we will be set to go for round four at the start of November,” Lees said.
“The Shepparton District Tennis Association, they have cancelled this coming Saturday but from there will be going on a week-by-week basis, so past this weekend it is unknown.”
As for the GMLTA, the association sent an email to all of its clubs on Wednesday morning, citing the reasons why the round was cancelled and what the coming weeks may look like.
“Hope you, your club members and community are all going okay. Just an update to let you all know that Round Two of the GMLTA will be cancelled due to the ongoing flood situation in our area,” the email read.
“With multiple courts having gone under water, (Shepp Lawn, Mooroopna, Dhurringile, not sure how Kialla Park Old Students fared but can't imagine it was great, and the water still heading to places such as Nathalia and Echuca, apologies if I missed any affected clubs), road closures, flood prep, clean up etc there will be plenty going on for people this weekend.
“For those asking about the GM5 draw, I'm sorry, we haven't got that sorted just yet. Will get that out as soon as possible.”