Tennis Clubs...
There are 10 clubs within Bulli & Districts Tennis Association.
Gibson Park Railway Tennis Club
Located in Thirroul, the courts can be found on the EAST SIDE (thats the beach side) of the RAILWAY LINES right near THIRROUL RAILWAY STATION. Just go to the SOUTHERN END of the CAR PARK - make sure you go right down past the grand stand.
Currently there are two (2) courts which are both SYNTHETIC GRASS. The PLAYING SURFACES of the courts are RED which makes seeing the ball much easier. There are LIGHTS on both courts for night play but must end by 10:30pm (as per council regulations).
SOCIAL HIRING - Call 4267 4051. The keys are located close to the courts in Thirroul.
HIRING FEES:
Day Time Hire: $10 per hour per court or $20 per half day per court (9am-12pm / 12pm-3pm) or $30 per day per court (9am-3pm).
Night Time Hire: $15 per hour per court or $30 per night per court (7pm-10:30pm).
Please Note: Courts are only available for social hire outside of the times set aside for the running of competitions and for the use by coaches and permanent bookings.
Did you know Tennis is one of the best value for money sports in the Illawarra. Most courts cost about $10 per hour. That's only $2.50 per person for four people.
FAQ's
Q: Can anyone hire the courts or do you have to be a member?
A: NO, you don't have to be a member of the club to hire a court. Anyone can hire a court.
Q: What if I want to hire a court but someone is already using a court?
A: Still ring, as the other court may be free to use.
Q: Are there toilets at the courts?
A: YES, there are public toilets very close to the courts.
Q: Do the courts have a Club House?
A: YES, our courts have a fenced Club House.
Q: Can I organise a permanent booking?
A: You are more than welcome to apply for a permanent booking, just be aware that all permanent bookings must fit in with the set usage times already in place. The time you wish to use a court may not be available.
Q: Is there off-street parking close to the courts?
A: YES, there is a public carpark right next to the courts. There is plenty of parking close by aswell. Please Note: As the courts are located in a large sporting area, parking near the courts may not always be possible - but genrally is.
Q: Can I reach the courts by public transport?
A: YES, you can easily get to the courts by either TRAIN or BUS. Thirroul train station is right next to the courts and the highway bus is a 3 to 4 minute walk away.
Q: Is there an area for children?
A: NO, there is no designated area for children to play. There is plenty of grassed areas around the courts and a children's play area on the other side of the football fields - unfortunately it can't be seen from the courts.
Q: Does the Club have competition teams?
A: YES, we have teams in many of the competitions that are run in the local area.
Q: Does the Club have organised social tennis?
A: We have social tennis for past competition players once a month on a Saturday. With interest shown we are willing to organise other forms of social tennis.
Q: Does the Club have a recognised coach?
A: YES, our coach is very highly qualified and meets the requirements set down by Tennis Australia.
The coach is GAVIN HARTLEY - 0414 231236. Gavin has international qualifications. Contact Gavin for any coaching enquiries including CLINICS in the school holidays.
Just so you know...
The courts are in easy walking distance from the shops.
The courts are in easy walking distance from the Thirroul Bowling and Sports Club.
There is some seating outside of the courts.
The courts are located within a large sporting area so there is plenty of grassed area around the courts for the kids to play.
The G.P. Railway Tennis Club is affiliated with the Bulli & Districts Tennis Association Inc.
B&DTA Inc. are responsible for the organising and running of competitions and tournaments in the northern suburbs of Wollongong.
Our club has the right to enter teams in any of these competitions and financial members are entitled to enter tournaments run by B&DTA Inc. as well as play in other districts tournaments or represent B&DTA Inc. at other districts tournaments.
B&DTA Inc. have an agreement with the Wollongong & Districts Tennis Association Inc. This agreement allows teams from clubs affiliated with B&DTA Inc. to enter and play in competitions run by W&DTA Inc. as well.
G.P. Railway is always keen to have new members.
We have teams playing in many different competitions.
If you are interested in playing coompetition tennis give us a call.
If you have a team that is looking for a game or a new court we have courts available for just about all of the competitions available.
Just call 4283 5547
This is the number to ring for General Enquiries. (please do not ring this number to hire a court)
CLUB HISTORY
The current club "GIBSON PARK RAILWAY" was originally 2 clubs which combined in the early 1990's.
The 2 clubs were:
The GIBSON PARK TENNIS CLUB was previously known as the THIRROUL CITIZENS TENNIS CLUB. This club was on the location of the current club next to the railway lines on the eastern side. We know from the history of the RAILWAY TENNIS CLUB that these courts have been there since at least 1922. Unfortunately that is all that is really known about the club at this time as the majority of the current membership and the membership at the time of the 2 clubs joining were from the Railway Club.
The RAILWAY TENNIS CLUB was always known as such. It began in 1922 on the western side of the railway line opposite the current location of the G.P. Railway courts. In 1934 the courts were built on the Station St site that is currently under reconstruction in line with the new Thirroul Bowling and Sports Club. In 1949 the local tennis associations of the northern suburbs of Wollongong joined together and formed the Near South Coast Tennis Association of which Railway Tennis Club was the headquarters. The N.S.C.T.A. is now the Bulli & Districts Tennis Association Inc. with it's headquarters at the Bulli Tennis Centre behind the Woonona Bulli Sports Club.
CURRENT
At one stage there was at least 5 tennis clubs in Thirroul alone, now unfortunately there is only one. But the hard working volunteer management committee keep tennis alive in the area. We are looking forward to the completion of the 3 new courts on the old Railway Tennis Club site and have made an expression of interest in the running of these courts when they are complete.
Copyright © 2001 B&DTA. All rights reserved.