The Nationwide Volunteer Week theme of “Connecting Communities” resonates with Gawler and District Tennis Affiliation president Damian McGee, who helped rejuvenate tennis within the South Australian city.
Gawler, SA, 21 Could 2025 | Jackson Mansell
Damian McGee feels a way of pleasure and accomplishment when he walks down Murray Avenue in Gawler, South Australia.
Not solely does McGee personal a bit of actual property in town’s predominant strip, the Trade Lodge, however his different ardour, the Gawler and District Tennis Affiliation (GDTA), has a longtime presence.
That established presence drew McGee to the membership shortly after shifting to Gawler in 1985. Initially soccer and cricket-oriented, McGee discovered a group inside the GDTA, creating new friendships and a pastime for all times.
“My uncle was a really achieved tennis participant, and he was not a lot older than me, so I used to journey round watching him play tournaments,” McGee instructed tennis.com.au.
“I’d typically get bored , so I ended up choosing up a tennis racquet myself after which began enjoying, after which I fell in love with the sport from there.”
Nevertheless, that established presence started to decrease as different sports activities captured extra market share in Gawler. In 2022, McGee, a GDTA participant for over 35 years and lively volunteer, put his hand as much as assist, stepping in as president of the affiliation.
“Tennis was actually struggling in Gawler, and it wanted to get the suitable folks in the suitable positions to assist rejuvenate the game and drive further participation,” he stated. “We would have liked to ensure we had the suitable coaches and packages in place to make it possible for the game survived first after which put us ready to thrive.
“As our affiliation was beginning to battle slightly bit with volunteers and path, our amenities have been turning into actually dilapidated, I assumed it was a good time to place up my hand and provides again and attempt to assist out the affiliation as a lot as I might.”
McGee led the GDTA’s transformation. He sought funding from the native and federal governments to redevelop the deteriorating Essex Park amenities and helped enhance affiliation sponsorship.
READ: Officers, volunteers to be honoured at Australian Tennis Awards
The Gawler tennis group is flourishing as soon as once more beneath McGee’s management. With a concerted effort to draw new and previous members, participation numbers have grown throughout all ages and skills, whereas the upgraded amenities have ensured that Essex Park is likely one of the busiest locations on the town.
“Our participation numbers are up, and never simply up with extra intermediate tennis gamers that needed to get their tennis outcomes elsewhere, now they’re all coming again and being part of simply driving and rising what we’re making an attempt to do,” he stated.
The elevated development for tennis in Gawler is accompanied by notable recognition for the person who helped create that buzz.
McGee not solely acquired the Volunteer Achievement Award for Metropolis and Hills by Tennis SA in April 2024, however was awarded the Nationwide Volunteer Achievement Award on the 2024 Australian Tennis Awards.
There’s equal reward within the sense of unity – which embodies the 2025 Nationwide Volunteer Week theme of ‘Connecting Communities’ – that the GDTA is constructing.
“We wish to make it possible for folks can really feel open, snug and heat who’ve by no means picked up a tennis racquet earlier than,” McGee added.
“They’ll stroll into our facility, say g’day and revel in, and attempt to have a success of tennis.
Discover your strategy to play: Go to to hit the courtroom and have some enjoyable!
