Sports enthusiasts have lapped up some late autumn warmth after hitting the fairways, courts, fishing spots and outdoor boot camps from Wednesday 13 May following months in isolation.
With the first stage of Covid-19 restrictions easing across the state, Casey residents headed out to their favourite leisure activities for the first time in months as some recreation facilities reopened across the state – as new rules allowed up to 10 people to gather in groups.
Head of tennis coach of Set 4 Tennis Alison Miller , who runs lessons at Berwick Tennis Club, said some of the juniors had been “itching to get out” on the court.
“It’s awesome … all the coaches were just so excited to get back on court and see the children they coach,” she said as sessions returned to court on Monday 18 May with term two coaching to begin next week.
“We’ve been texting and ringing all our clients to see if they want to come back.
‘Tennis is ideal in that we can have two children up at each end spaced on a court and they’re not physical contact. We’re hand sanitising on each exit to the court,” Ms Miller said.
“It’s a way to get them out in fresh air and to see some other children,” she said, adding the club was opened five nights a week for student lessons.
Lochy Burke, owner of Personal Performance Training Centre in Berwick, who held a boot camp session under blue skies on Monday 18 May, said members had been “jumping out of their skin to get back in training”.
“We’re going to come back bigger and better than ever,” he said.
Mr Burke said the club had attracted “a lot more members” during the lockdown period time and he was looking at the possibility of hiring more staff once his gym can reopen.
“We’ve really been able to exceed in this time; our online program has just increased and gone through the roof.
“We’ve grown a lot as a business … the message out there to the community would be hang in tight guys, I believe it won’ be too much longer.”
Cranbourne Golf Club general manager Cameron Mott said it was great to see the club’s “smiling faces” return to the fairways.
“The thirst for golf is as good as it’s ever been and with our course being in great condition, they all want to get out and play,” he said.
“Even though there are some restrictions in place which we’re monitoring closely, the golfers are all very excited to be back on the course.”
