Peter Rogers retains optimism in top division | Central Wimmera Tennis

After Telangatuk East defeated Brimpaen in a tightly contested A Special final last season, the club was promoted into the Wimmera’s pennant division for the first time in history.

The step-up into the top league has been difficult for the side, but Rogers said it has been a terrific learning curve for their younger players.

“We haven’t won a match yet so it’s fair to say we’ve been battling a little bit,” Rogers said.

“But we’ve been winning three, four or five sets a week and we’ve been competitive – we’ve been respectable.

“Most of the team is pretty young, so it’s been good for their tennis.”

Rogers is one of the few experienced players on the team, and is one of the most recognisable people in Wimmera tennis circles.

“I suppose I’ve been playing for about 47 years,” Rogers said.

“I had a couple of years at Horsham Lawn and a few at Central Park. I came back to Telangatuk probably 5-6 years ago when we got new courts.

“There were a few of us that were keen to play and seeing as we had good quality courts we put a team in.

“It’s been really good for Telangatuk. We have two teams now, one in the Wimmera and one in the South Arapiles Tennis Association. When the courts are available we always have a round of tennis being played there which is great for the community.”

Rogers is now excited by the junior players coming through the club that he hoped will ensure Telangatuk’s longevity as a tennis competitor.

He has bounced around between several different administration roles at Telangatuk East including president and captain, and expects to be involved in the club for years to come.

“There’s a few families with some juniors coming along now – getting young players in is always the long term goal,” Rogers said.

“I was lucky enough to play with one of the juniors last year and it meant that I played with three generations of the Reece family – that was something a bit unique.

“Fair to say I’ve been around for a while.”

Telangatuk East take on Haven away from home in pennat this weekend as Central Wimmera Tennis action returns. In other contests, Drung South play ladder leaders St Michaels and Horsham Lawn play Kalkee.

With four rounds left and just two games separating the second and fifth placed teams, it is set to be an exciting finish to the pennant season.