SSMG and Voyager Tennis partner in the management of City of Ryde Olympic Park and Meadowbank Tennis Facilities

Sport facility management experts Sydney Sports Management Group and the Voyager Tennis Academy have announced a partnership with the City of Ryde to manage its Olympic Park and Meadowbank Tennis facilities.

As a result of a competitive tendering process, the Council has appointed Sydney Sports Management Group (SSMG) in partnership with Voyager Tennis to operate the community assets, both of which currently include eight synthetic grass tennis courts, as part of a lease arrangement.

SSMG and Voyager Tennis are experienced organisations that operate across multiple local government authorities throughout Sydney and already deliver tangible community outcomes within the City of Ryde including the facilitation of 12 school programs.

Voyager Tennis has provided tennis programming over nine years at both the Next Generation Club and Olympic Park Tennis while SSMG has operated Tennis World Ryde (20 years) and North Ryde Fitness + Aquatic (three years) - 2020 Winner Northern Districts Fitness Business.

Both companies are committed to providing accessible programs and facilities for all as evidenced through the management of their existing facilities including Special Olympic Tennis and NOVA disability employment partnership at Tennis World North Ryde.

They will also be launching the SMASH Mental Health Program in partnership with Collective Leisure.

Richard Price, SSMG’s Chief Executive and Macquarie Park Ryde Business Board Member, advised “SSMG and Voyager are delighted to be awarded the contract and look forward to continuing to partner with the City of Ryde, Tennis NSW and deepen our relationships with local schools.

“We will work collaboratively with the City of Ryde in the delivery of Council’s Sport and Recreation Strategy. This will be achieved by investing capital in these important community assets to ensure they meet the community’s expectations for many years to come.

 “We acknowledge the significant volunteer efforts and the 40-plus year legacy the North Western Suburbs Tennis Association (NWSTA) has created.

“In 2018 SSMG successfully transitioned the Heffron Park Tennis Centre and collaborated closely with the Eastern Suburbs Tennis Association to ensure their competitions remained intact and this is our intent with the NWSTA. We will also endeavour to extend these competitions to our Tennis World facility.”

Voyager Tennis Managing, Director, Ryan Henry stated “we will be looking to provide a smooth transition for the local community and ensure the continuation of existing services. The upgraded facilities will provide a range of options including casual bookings as well as programmed activities such as HotShots (Tennis Australia), Cardio Tennis (Tennis Australia), organised social play, evening competition, private lessons, group lessons, and table tennis.

Scott Riley, SSMG’s Managing Director and a former touring professional, added “our Group will be partnering with the City of Ryde to invest a significant amount of capital in the facilities to repurpose these valuable community assets, including a complete resurface of all existing courts and LED lighting.

“We will also be able to provide NWSTA competition access to Tennis World when the courts get resurfaced. In addition, the NSBC Group will continue to provide subsidised transports for school sport and camps throughout Ryde.”