The big boost keeps the GMLTA cheerful ahead of the season start

The competition appears to be full of new players as there have been several entries from other leagues in various divisions.

The annual general meeting, held at the end of August, first presented the idea of allowing two Shepparton District Tennis Association clubs – McEwen Reserve and Shepparton North – to cooperate.

The obvious obstacle to GMLTA’s operation is the letter L in the acronym – the lawn is quite an important aspect of the competition, while both teams played on hard courts.

Ultimately, McEwen’s teams were given the green light to call the GMLTA home on the condition that their teams rent lawn or synthetic grass courts for their use, with the likely destination being Shepparton Lawn Tennis Club.

Although Shepparton North decided not to continue trading this season, there were no takeovers.

Euroa Lawn and its handful of outfits hail from the Benalla District Tennis Association, further strengthening the rankings and highlighting the GMLTA as a target league.

As operations begin on October 12, President Mark Mills has struck a tone of great optimism.

“We’re heading into next weekend, which is exciting because of the beautiful weather,” Mills said.

“SDTA approached us and asked if some of their clubs could play in some of our leagues.

“Our regulations stated that grass courts were required, so they would have to play their home matches on borrowed courts.

“We are very excited to have McEwen Reserve on board and believe they will play at Shepp Lawn Stadium in GM2.

“It will be good to give players a pathway to potentially better tennis; this is the most teams we have had in our competition for quite a few years.

However, all changes will apply to lower-flight competitions this season, with the top-level GM1 remaining with the same four clubs in 2023-24.

This means that the Numurkah warriors will have the same task ahead of them: winning their third pennant in a row.

However, when it comes to the overall strength of tennis in the region, the news is not without a sense of regret.

“We would like to see these other competitions grow on their own, but they seem to be having a hard time doing so,” Mills said.

“I think a lot of smaller clubs and sports are struggling to meet the costs of keeping their businesses open, but we’re grateful we can help and hope this works for everyone.

“We can’t wait to all start together and then in round two we’ll organize another round of fixtures so the whole class can play at a specific location.

“It was a big hit last year, so we’re interested in new bands and people with better ratings.

“It will be good tennis.”

The GM1 season will kick off with the Shepparton Lawn derby on October 12, when The Valley will meet Average Joes, while two more distant teams, Numurkah Warriors and Nathalia’s Velvet Tigers, will clash.