The Beach Tennis Australia Mission

To inspire, promote and engage the community in the dynamic new, fun sport of beach tennis. To be creative, passionate and innovative in order to deliver quality events and personal services.

Commitment to professionalism and realism, mixed with imagination and dreams, we strive for success.

Our commitment to beach tennis in Australia has been to ensure the sport is bubbling away, so as more can hear about it and get to know how it works. It is hard to start a sport from the ground level, with no financial support, but to ensure you are the best custodian of the game you can be is impoerative. This way all those who run beach tennis programs have a responsibility the game is delivered with integrity and passion.

When and where the journey began!

RACQUETS UP AUSTRALIA!

Before you read this, I can honestly say I have met some of the best people in the world through sport, but I have met extraordinary people playing BEACH TENNIS.

You all know who you are! (Kellie De Burgh and Paul Mapley)

Grab a drink or cup of tea and enjoy the factual history of how it all began, or part thereof..........

Having travelled in the early 90's all through Europe, Italy, living in the Greek Islands and Spain, it was evident that whilst they clearly weren't the best beaches in the world, they clearly knew how to get the most out the beaches and the recreational activity on them. Many of us would have seen the version of the rubberball and wooden paddle, with that distinct "tink" noise, as many speedo and bikini clad Europeans lunged and lept in the shoreline. At first as an Australian, I would think that's not for me, however as a man of the racquet, I was quick to get involved and tune up my relexes and keep fit daily, but in my Boardshorts!

Not giving it much thought, but who would have thought that due to a unique group of italian volleyballers,it would morph the hit and giggle in the shoreline to a fully blown sport, the expolsion of Beach Tennis!

It was the year 2004 where Paul a Tennis Australia coaching journeyman of 25 plus years in Melbourne's South East and western suburbs, was keen to inspire the nation and find a way of putting more racquets in the hands of his fellow Australians. Paul was hoping to give tennis a real shot in the arm and lead from the front, with passion and initiative. Due to frustrations of being surrounded by a lot of young talent, they were reluctant to play tournaments. for whatever reason it can be hard to compete in your holidays as we dis in the 80's (showing my age). Reason being, mum and dad work, grandma doesn't drive, it's too far away, or even I just want to hang with my mates! These are all legitimate, but as Hotshots was catering for the 5-10 yr olds, engaging the 12-17s, is always a challenge. Paul was looking at new ways to freshen up his players and make tennis funky. Having a successful tennis coaching career and many children with talent., he identified his players seemed to be lacking the drive in tournament play and on the practice courts. It was almost like they needed to have FUN again! Upon asking his kids what they did in the summer months, they replied, we go to the beach and beach houses, and hang out at the beach!

As many journeys in life a great story has evolved, and Beach Tennis Australia's roots are really only known by a certain few, who were there in the days of playing all year around, even in Melbourne Winters. If you have a few hours, I am happy to bore you. Whilst travelling to Europe and southern Italy in 2005, Paul Mapley and his wife Kellie witnessed first hand what seemed to be a sport of tribal proportions. A sport that would change the face of how we spend time at the beach and perhaps rival beach volleyball in the years ahead. Not only that, beach tennis would surely see a new way of how we can have fun with friends and family at the beach, with social and competitive spirit.

Since founding Beach Tennis Australia Paul Mapley and Kellie de Burgh have embarked on a pioneering and privileged journey This has now brought the realisation and continual change, to how we have fun on the sand, in Australasia. Most of all it has enabled us to share a love of sport with all our friends and given anyone who has played the sport, an experience they won't forget.

Upon returning from Europe in 2005 Paul met with the board of Tennis Victoria, a mixture of youth and elder statesmen who had seen a lot, but most of all had the success of tennis in Victoria at the forefront. Members of that board involved Ian Occleshaw,Judy Bull, Nick Hinnenberg and the head of Community activation Robin ...... ( I have forgotten his name). Anyway, they were most keen to hear what I had to say, and as always my enthusiasm come through the door, before me. My position to facilitate the 2005 Coaches Conference alongside some very respected tennis coaches and adminitrators, was a priviledge, and one that saw an opportunity to do a playing expo of beach tennis and get first hand feedback from the coaches. A good friend of mine at the time Dylan Edgley, was in full support and also one who thought I was a little bit crazy to invest so much time,effort and money into something that you have to build from the ground up, A huge job! Something you will never own as no-one own a sport. I was fine with that, this was going to be my gift to a nation, to birth beach tennis in Australia.

The feedback from the Conference was mixed, there were the young coaches having fun, the older coaches not wanting to run on the sand and the kickers, who described the sport as bastardising the techniques and skills of the game of tennis and the skills and techniques we spend so many fine tuning. There was a lot of criticism around players holding the racquet in a semi-western gruip whilst volleying and round arm smashes. These are shots that some of the world's best are demonstarting today on the ATP and WTA circuits. so you decide......

So, the up hill journey of beach tennis began in Australia!

May I say, " We are no less passionate from the day we hit the very first ball"

Beach Tennis the sport was birthed and founded in the Emilia Romagna region in around the early 80’s. The Italians are very responsible for the initiating and moving the sport forward, by initiating regulation and rules, to ensure the integrity and credibility of the sport is maintained. We feel most privileged to be given this opportunity to uphold all the hard work and hours of organisation that the IFBT and Mr. Giandomenico Bellettini have passionately given over the years.

After many hours of research, emails and phone calls Beach Tennis Australia was formed and Kellie de Burgh and Paul Mapley became the Oceania representative under the auspices of the IFBT. In 2005 Kellie and Paul left for Reunion Island to meet Bertrand Coulet his now longtime friend and the first non-Italian to win a World Championship, who was organising the 1st International tournament outside Italy on the island of Reunion. (1 hour by a small plane, off the west coast of Mauritius). Having no idea where Reunion was until we looked at the map, the adventure began! (to say the least) We have many great stories and friendships that have formed for life from that adventurous first trip to Reunion Island. It truly is a special place in the world and our hearts! Come and join the tribe..........

Reunion Island (the French team) has come a long way now and the island has many great facilities to play and the quality of players both male and female is very strong.

Since 2004, Australian players Kellie De Burgh, Belinda O'Connor, Jame Knaggs, Mel Henderson, and other members of Australian Teams, the Sandflies have supported and played in Europe and Reunion, and have continued to improve their game, as some of the best in the world play here. After this day of meeting Bertrand, one could say we were hooked on the sport, the sand and the message of spirit and sportsmanship it has within it.

It would see us put together more teams to travel to the World Championships which are held every year in Marina Di Ravenna, Italy on the north-east Adriatic. This is where the best players in the world come to play! In 2005 we sent our first team to Italy, where we finished 5th. In 2006 we formed the ‘sandflies’ the Australian beach tennis team which saw the team gain a podium finish 4th. It was awesome! Go Sandflies!. In 2006 the Portuguese joined the beach tennis circuit with their first International beach tennis event. Which was fantastic! In 2008 we were part of another Sandlfies team that took on the world at the World Champs in Italy, only this time there were 12 nations competing more than any other year in the history of the event. Australia came equal third with Brazil, an awesome effort!

In 2007, the 1st Australian International Beach Tennis Championships was held in Melbourne. For men, woman, juniors and masters. It truly is a sport for all! It attracted 14 international players from Italy, France and Portugal, and notable inclusions were 3 of the world’s top current players. It was a huge success. It was the first of many!

Since this time the ITF have developed a European circuit and World Championship of their own. However it is important that we are working on grassroots level from 2004 - current, so as we share our knowledge and experience having been involved in many trials and piloting of the sport in Melbourne and around Australia. Come try days and demonstration, were given at no cost for a period of 12 months, in order to launch the sport and place it in the public sphere. The equipment was also tried and tested in order to meet the most difficult conditions that Melbourne could throw at it. We even made our own equipment in our backyard, so as we could deliver the sport with intregrity, with jeopardising or substituting the games intellectual properties.

With formation of great working relationships with beach volleyball, government, sporting organisations, local surf clubs, local business and the City of Port Phillip, we have seen beach tennis make its mark, and most of all, given an opportunity. Now that the state model has been given the tick, here in Melbourne, a national spread is eminent.

It is most amazing to see the micro formations in other states of organisations, playing groups, tournaments and formations of clubs which will only see the growth of beach tennis spiral upwards.

Beach Tennis Australia primary goals are to inspire, enhance and implement all facets of beach tennis to the wider community. There are many people involved in the journey and support of beach tennis and the future looks bright. As these people are believers of upholding the integrity of the game and the underlying messages of sport and friendships within it, it is in very safe hands.

Llooking forward to the furture, we welcome all standards and abilities to beach tennis, from international players from France (Reunion Island, Italy, France, Canada, USA, Germany, Poland, Switzerland, Brazil, Greece, Argentina, and many many more, to compete against new and up and coming Australian talent. for example in 2009 we saw the French rule the sand in the men's, although not without a fight from the Aussies. It would be great to welcome the Frogs and Azzure back here to contest against our very hungry Aussie Men and Women, one day soon. Especially now we see a more South American presence in the sport here in Australia, we hope to raise the standard further as their skills on the sand are much reverred.

Go Aussie Boys and Girls! Look out world, we’ve got a few new shots up our sleeves here in oz!

Previously our Australian talent featured current and ex circuit players of the ATP, who have taken a liking to the sport., and are passionate about competing. Like I explained to some young kids the other day. Their is no bigger priviledge than to plan for your country. Some reading this will know a famous Australian Sporting Philanthropist Kerry Packer (Founder of World Series Cricket, and no one wil ever know his true contribution to Australian sport as a whole. (Google him)

I don't care if I represent my country playing "tiddlywinks", to wear the green and gold and play for my country is an absolute priviledge and an honour. (Kerry Packer)

I can honestly say, there are a few of us who have had this very unique priviledge and experience, and we have known our responsibility and honour to represent our country overseas, as a frst team to play for Australia. We were very mindful of our ability to be ambassodors, to ensure the world knew, we were part of this beach tennis tribe that is far bigger than the game and part of the history of many people in the early days, who navigated the sport.

Since 2010 we have seen a massive increase in the profile of beach tennis where there are now major opportunities each year to play for your country in World Championships and international events, including Italy (August), Reunion, Europe in June, July and Aruba in October and many more. Keep the movement alive and stay strong. In conjunction with many other countries, Beach Tennis Australia will no doubt ensure the sustainabilty of the sport, and the holistic approach we take, which will result in greater participation levels, for all formats of the game. There are many attributes and gains that tennis will see from the sport, but most importantly FUN and fitness and Friends. We call it the “F” Factor!

BEACH TENNIS makes all the difference, So can you! PLAY IT!