Coomera courting new tennis complex

PLANS are in the works to deliver an impressive tennis complex to the school that produced boom Gold Coast talent Kim Birrell as soon as next year.

Coomera Anglican College have a proposal to build an eight-court complex; it’s understood that would include four indoor multipurpose courts as well as four outdoor courts and a further six junior courts. Tennis Plus, which is run out of Queens Park in Southport by Birrell’s father John, is a possibility to run programs there.

Birrell said the proposal would make for a “pretty special little set-up” for an academy in a part of the Coast that is crying out for more tennis facilities.

“That end of the Coast is lacking a bit of exposure for tennis so that would end up being a really good base for us as a Tennis Plus northern hub,” he said.

“The headmaster has already indicated that because of our history he would love us to apply for the position but nothing is guaranteed.

“I’ve said to him that we would love to help with the funding ... Tennis Australia has all sorts of applications for funding.”

Both Kim and her younger brother Cade attended Coomera Anglican College, with the former – ranked No.156 in the world – being blown away by the school’s up-and-coming talent during a recent visit.

John noted a tennis complex at the Upper Coomera campus would hold benefits outside of school sport too, such as offering senior competition fixtures. “It’s not just for juniors but it would help all of the community,” he said.