Set high on Cliff St, with stunning views of the ocean, St James Park Tennis Club is a well-kept local secret. And that’s the problem.

“At one stage, we had upwards of 100 members, the vast majority of them being social,” says Rod Zabell, club president for the past 23 years.

Built by coal miners in the 1950s, the club has two synthetic grass courts and turns 70 this year. But from its heyday in the 1970s, the club has dwindled to a membership of about 15.

Rod puts this down to Covid, a rise in the popularity of other sports, and a changing society, with many people working shifts and on weekends. However, after an extraordinary general meeting in February, he’s leading a new executive determined to revitalise the club.

The new secretary, Karen Alexander, says, “We are looking at engaging with Coledale Public School, talking to the head of their sport department, so maybe during their sports activities they can come up here and have a hit.”

Karen also wants to introduce coaching, set up an online bookings system and put up a sign at Coledale surf club. “We’re hoping to get lots of families, especially during the summer.”

Tennis great for health and fitness

A nurse who now teaches healthcare workers about resilience, Karen moved to Coledale a year ago and found tennis a great way to meet people.

“My husband’s a GP, so we are big into health and fitness. It’s great for your mental health as well,” Karen says.

She became involved in the sport thanks to her three children, who all played in the Australian Junior Ranking within Tennis NSW.

“The kids have just made lifelong friends during that period.”

Karen is a member of the Sheroes group, supporting women in tennis, and now plans to put to use her years of fundraising experience (“I love grant writing,” she says).

Room for improvements

The Coledale courts are overdue for resurfacing and this could cost $60,000.

One practical item on Rod’s immediate wish list is a garbage service. “We’re a council court, but because we don’t have an actual [street] number, we can’t get a garbage service,” he says. “They’re more than happy for us to have bins, but they just won’t empty them.”

Game of a lifetime

A former deputy principal at selective high school Smiths Hill, Rod retired in 2015 but is busy as ever, with weekly tennis, Bushcare and mentoring young teachers, not to mention his grandparent duties (luckily the boys play tennis).

A member of St James Park Tennis Club since 1981, Rod has played tennis since he was boy.

“I’ve continued all my life and my three kids play tennis. We sometimes go away as a family and play. And now two of my grandsons are playing.”

The courts’ history is layered enough to interest archaeologists. It began as a red clay court laid by workers from North Bulli Colliery. This started to dip, so the club cemented the courts, then finally raised enough money to lay synthetic grass.”

Over the years, council has floated other ideas for the land but Rod says no development is possible. “Underneath this is all coal wash.”

Young players welcome

Tennis remains popular with children but they tend to drop out in high school and the club would like to attract young adults.

“We are very much a community court,” says Rod, pointing to parents who like to hit the courts, while kids play in the playground next door.

Afternoon tea – think cake, TimTams and Iced Vovos – is still a fine tradition but crisp tennis whites are a thing of the past, except at parties.

“We’ve actually had a number of 18th and 21st birthday parties here over the last two or three years,” Rod says, “and nearly all of them have been in retro tennis gear, with the headband, the floppy hats. Another group had a Volley OC tennis shoes party.

“The great thing about tennis is: one, the ability to leave things at the gate; two, a camaraderie that you tend to develop over a period of time. I’ve actually got two friends that I started playing with when I was 10 years of age, and we continue keeping in contact. The other thing that I’ve really appreciated over the time is just meeting different people from different walks of life.”

Social sport for all ages

Some areas have a Men’s Shed; Rod says: “We have the Tennis Shed. A lot of people will come and work on the courts doing various things, then they’ll go to their coffee shop of choice.”

Court hire costs from $16 an hour to $100 for annual membership. It’s great value for money.

“I don’t think you can get a better view for a tennis court anywhere,” Rod says.

“It’s just nestled away.”

To book a court, text Rod on 0403 566 219.