Minister for Racing Paul Toole joined Member for Port Macquarie Leslie Williams on January 19 to allocate $200,000 for the project.

Mrs Williams said a new full-size court and two small Hot Shots courts will enable the club to expand its training and competition programs, particularly for young people.

“This project will provide a great boost for the club, which runs activities including youth groups, social days and disability and mentoring programs,” she said.

Kendall Tennis Club president Wendy Hudson said three extra courts will allow more children to play during training sessions and competition. 

“It’s very important for junior development and with more children we are in need of more space,” she said. 

Wendy said the design of the mini courts are unique. 

“We use modified balls and the smaller courts allow beginners to learn the game better,” she said. 

“They are able to have more rallies to help develop their playing skills,” she said. 

Kendall Tennis Club juniors vice president Ashley Wallace said she teared up with joy when the funding was announced. 

“At the moment we have to put lines down on the bigger courts to turn them into smaller courts for the children to be able to play properly,” she said. 

“The extra courts will make a big difference.” 

Ashley said she has been playing tennis her entire life at Kendall and she is now 32-years-old. 

The new courts will enable the club to meet growing demand for its Hot Shots programs aimed at children aged four to nine. Currently 45 children share one full court for these programs.

“The club is a feeder club for the Sydney International Tennis Tournament’s ball-kid program and provides Hot Shots demonstrations on centre court at Sydney and local shows,” Mrs Williams said. 

“The club is known for social inclusion of players with disabilities.”

Mr Toole said the projects are among 26 across NSW funded from the latest round of the Clubgrants category 3 infrastructure program.