Echuca 1, captained by Todd Charnas, won division one in the CTA last season.
There’s been a few changes made to the Campaspe Tennis Association’s senior competition.
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It’s all been done to make the sport a bit more attractive and improve player retention.
A reduction from nine teams across two divisions to seven in only one underlines the need for a shake-up.
And it’s even being acknowledged by current players — including Echuca 1 captain Todd Charnas, whose team is the reigning CTA champion.
“Tennis was probably a little bit stagnant and hadn't changed as much as other sports,” he said.
“So putting greater emphasis on the social side of it was important.
“We'll have many teams at home most weeks, which will be great for the club for the social aspect.”
So what’s actually changing?
Only doubles matches are being played — potentially upsetting traditionalists who prefer the more challenging singles format.
Not Charnas, though. He actually had a bluntly funny reason for welcoming it.
“That was a tough decision, but it wasn't too hard for me because I'm old,” he said.
“But it is harder for the younger ones to accept, but we're in a place currently where not many kids are looking for singles.”
Doubles pairings will also only need six games for a win rather than eight.
The alterations are only minor, but could make a big difference.
“Players should be able to get their matches over and done a little bit quicker,” Charnas said.
“So if they've got other things to do and are not going to hang around afterwards, they can go and still have time left in the day.”
Charnas also said Friday night rounds could be scheduled too — another move easing the playing burden and enhancing socialisation.
On the courts, Echuca 1 has a target on its back.
The change to one senior division has led to Charnas’ team now being hunted by four other Echuca sides.
Most weeks, those attending matches at Scenic Dve might think the club is having intra-club contests and not playing for points.
But they certainly will be, along with LBU and last season’s division two champs Colbinabbin.
The notable omission this time around is Rochester — a club which won as recently as 2025.
“It will be interesting because the teams are markedly different, and you can't really take anything from last year,” Charnas said.
“With our five teams we've tried to make them as even as we can.
“Players have been spread across different teams so it will take a good four or five weeks to work out who's who in the zoo.”
Echuca 1 has also lost Jack Byrne and Eli Kingma — the gun duo who sliced up all-comers in singles last season.
They will be missed, but Charnas said multiple times the move was logical to play against stronger competition.
There’s also a few new young aces moving into seniors.
And the hope of continuing to have a strong production line is boosted by 70 juniors underpinning the five teams.
“Hopefully, we continue to see those numbers,” Charnas said.
“Who knows, the CTA may have to revert to bringing singles back in the next year or two if the demand is there and the younger players are coming through.”
A small contingent of the 70 Echuca Tennis Club juniors playing this season.
The challenge for the sport locally, according to Charnas, is not junior participation — its keeping those numbers strong into seniors.
With 19 teams in the CTA beginning on Saturday, Echuca isn’t feeling the issue as strongly as others in the region.
But it undoubtedly hopes the competition’s changes can help competitors.
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