Tennis West State League
| Sport | Tennis |
|---|---|
| First season | 1966/67 |
| CEO | Olivia Birkett |
| Administrator | Tennis West |
| No. of teams | 6 |
| Country | Australia |
| Headquarters | Perth, Western Australia |
Most recent champion | Claremont Lawn (2025/26) |
| Most titles | Hensman Park (12) |
| Streaming partner | YouTube |
| Tournament format | 10 rounds + 2 finals |
| Website | https://www.tennis.com.au/wa/players/competitions/wa-tennis-league/results-fixtures |
The Tennis West State League is an Australian semi-professional tennis league based in Perth, Western Australia. It is the annual 'A' grade/division 1 shield competition for tennis in Western Australia, the highest level of club competition in the state.[1] The competition is administered by Tennis West, the governing body of the sport in the state. It plays a pivotal role in the development of elite tennis players.[2][3][4]
Both the Men's and Women's State League seasons consist of 10 match (or home-and-away) season, which runs from October to March (including a Summer break in January), with six teams playing in each season. The top four teams then play off in a two-round finals series, culminating in the State League Grand Final, which is hosted by highest ranked grand final team from the end of the home-and-away season. The grand final winners are termed the champions, with the men's shield known as the David Blacklock Memorial Shield, and the women's is known as the Laurie Toole Memorial Shield.
Peppermint Grove Tennis Club won the 2024/25 Men's State League Season, claiming their first championship in club history. Hensman Park Tennis Club are the most recent Women's Champions, claiming four out of the past five women's championships.[5]
| Sport | Tennis |
|---|---|
| First season | 1966/67 |
| CEO | Olivia Birkett |
| Administrator | Tennis West |
| No. of teams | 5 |
| Country | Australia |
| Headquarters | Perth, Western Australia |
Most recent champion | Cottesloe (2025/26) |
| Most titles | Fremantle (11) |
| Streaming partner | YouTube |
| Tournament format | 10 rounds + 2 finals |
| Website | https://www.tennis.com.au/wa/players/competitions/wa-tennis-league/results-fixtures |
Current Participants
The clubs participating in the 2025/26 season are seen below. Notably, reigning champions Peppermint Grove did not return to defend their inaugural title from the 2024/25 season.[6][7] Five of Peppermint Grove's championship winning players were signed by Claremont Lawn, resulting in Peppermint Grove to withdraw from the competition.[8]
The 2025/26 State League Grand Finals were both hosted by the Cottesloe Tennis Club on Saturday March 21 2026. In their return to the competition, Claremont Lawn caused an upset defeating Cottesloe 4–0, breaking their 50-year drought.[9] Cottesloe defeated Royal Kings Park in the women's final 4–0, claiming their 8th Laurie Toole Memorial Shield.[10][11]
Men's
| Club | Home Surface |  |
Most Recent | Captain |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alexander Park Tennis Club | Grass | 0 | N/A | Ashwin Sharma |
| Claremont Lawn Tennis Club | Hard | 4 | 1974/75 | Sam Chapman |
| Cottesloe Tennis Club | Grass | 9 | 2023/24 | Max Weir |
| Mt Lawley Tennis Club | Grass | 0 | N/A | Luca Katsamakis |
| Royal Kings Park Tennis Club | Grass | 3 | 1988/89 | Jake Robinson |
| UWA Tennis Club | Clay | 4 | 2003/04 | Archie Brown |
Claremont Lawn Tennis Club replaced Peppermint Grove Tennis Club (from the 2024/25 season), and Mt Lawley Tennis Club replaced the joint Mt Lawley-Sorrento Tennis Club (from the 2024/25 season), after Sorrento ended their two year partnership.
Women's
| Club | Home Surface | |
Most Recent | Captain |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cottesloe Tennis Club | Grass | 7 | 2016/17 | Alicia Molik |
| Dalkeith Tennis Club | Hard Court | 0 | N/A | Lauren Nikoloski |
| Hensman Park Tennis Club | Hard Court | 5 | 2024/25 | Ella Nurkic |
| Royal Kings Park Tennis Club | Grass | 7 | 2018/19 | Mahta Khanloo |
| UWA Tennis Club | Clay | 1 | 2007/08 | Amy Findlay |
UWA Tennis Club replaced Alexander Park Tennis Club and Peppermint Grove Tennis Club (from the 2024/25 season).
List of Champion Clubs
Hensman Park Tennis Club have won the most championships in the men's competition with 12, there most recent coming in the 2021/22 season. Fremantle Tennis Club have won the most championships in the women's competition with 11, although currently having a 40-year drought, winning all 11 of their shields in the first 15 seasons of the competition. The most successful club throughout both competitions having 17 championships is Hensman Park Tennis Club with 12 championships in the men's competition and 5 in the women's. They have been the most successful club over the past 6 years winning 6 championships since 2020 across both the men's and women's competition.
The most recent men's champion is the Peppermint Grove Tennis Club, defeating Cottesloe 3–1 in the 2024/25 men's grand final.[12] This was their first championship in club history across both the men's and women's competition. Hensman Park Tennis Club are the most recent women's champion, defeating Cottesloe 3–1 in the 2024/25 women's grand final, claiming four out of the past five women's championships. Bolded years won in the table below signifies the most recent champion (2024/25 season).
| Men | Women | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Team | |
Year(s) won | Team | |
Year(s) won |
| Hensman Park | 12 | 1985/86, 1991/92, 2005/06, 2006/07, 2007/08, 2008/09, 2010/11, 2014/15, 2016/17, 2018/19, 2020/21, 2021/22 | Fremantle | 11 | 1972/73, 1973/74, 1974/75, 1975/76, 1978/79, 1979/80, 1981/82, 1982/83, 1983/84, 1984/85 |
| Cottesloe | 9 | 1996/97, 2000/01, 2003/04, 2009/10, 2011/12, 2012/13, 2015/16, 2022/23, 2023/24 | Cottesloe | 8 | 1993/94, 1995/96, 1996/97, 1998/99, 2009/10, 2010/11, 2016/17, 2025/26 |
| Dalkeith | 8 | 1986/87, 1987/88, 1989/90, 1990/91, 1992/93, 1993/94, 1998/99, 1999/00 | Nedlands | 8 | 1976/77, 1985/86, 1986/87, 1987/88, 2001/02, 2002/03, 2003/04, 2005/06 |
| Claremont | 5 | 1967/68, 1968/69, 1969/70, 1974/75, 2025/26 | Royal Kings Park | 7 | 1968/69, 1970/71, 1971/72, 1991/92, 1992/93, 2017/18, 2018/19 |
| UWA | 4 | 1970/71, 1971/72, 2001/02, 2002/03 | Blue Gum Park | 7 | 1988/89, 1994/95, 1997/98, 2000/01, 2004/05, 2014/15, 2015/16 |
| Royal Kings Park | 3 | 1966/67, 1972/73, 1988/89 | Hensman Park | 5 | 2012/13, 2020/21, 2021/22, 2023/24, 2024/25 |
| Scarborough | 3 | 1981/82, 1983/84, 1984/85 | City Beach | 4 | 2006/07, 2008/09, 2011/12, 2013/14 |
| Bayswater | 3 | 1973/74, 1975/76, 1978/79 | Reabold | 2 | 1989/90, 1990/91 |
| Reabold | 2 | 1995/96, 2004/05 | UWA | 1 | 2007/08 |
| Maylands | 2 | 1980/81, 1982/83 | Wembley Downs | 1 | 1999/00 |
| Fremantle | 2 | 1976/77, 1977/78 | Higgins Park | 1 | 1980/81 |
| Peppermint Grove | 1 | 2024/25 | Claremont | 1 | 1969/70 |
| Mosman Park | 1 | 2017/18 | Alexander Park | 1 | 1967/68 |
| Greenwood | 1 | 2013/14 | Loton Park | 1 | 1966/67 |
| Sorrento | 1 | 1997/98 | |||
| Wembley Downs | 1 | 1994/95 | |||
| Higgins Park | 1 | 1979/80 | |||
Combined Champion Club
The table below shows the clubs with the most State League Championships in the men's and women's competition combined. Hensman Park Tennis Club are the most successful club amongst both gender formats, with 17 championships, there most recent coming in the 2024/25 Women's State League season.
| Rank | Club | Total | Most Recent |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cottesloe | 17 | 2025/26 (F) |
| Hensman Park | 17 | 2024/25 (F) | |
| 3 | Fremantle | 13 | 1984/85 (F) |
| 4 | Royal Kings Park | 10 | 2018/19 (F) |
| 5 | Dalkeith | 8 | 1999/00 (M) |
| Nedlands | 2005/06 (F) | ||
| 7 | Blue Gum Park | 7 | 2015/16 (F) |
| 8 | Claremont Lawn | 6 | 2025/26 (M) |
| 9 | UWA | 5 | 2007/08 (F) |
| 10 | Reabold | 4 | 2004/05 (M) |
| City Beach | 2013/14 (F) |
All championships are correct to the completion of the 2025/26 State League Seasons.[13]
Most Valuable Player Award
Tennis West has awarded a Most Valuable Player (MVP) award since the 2001/02 season. The MVP is awarded to the player with the most individual wins in each season, across there singles and doubles matches.
Cameron Fenner (Hensman Park Tennis Club) has won the most men's MVPs with three titles (2006/07, 2007/08, 2008/09).
Donna Blackwell (City Beach Tennis Club) has won the most women's MVPs with four titles (2004/05, 2006/07, 2007/08, 2008/09).
| Player | Club | MVPs | Seasons |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cameron Fenner | Hensman Park Tennis Club | 3 | 06/07, 07/08, 08/09 |
| Richard Sampson | Sorrento Tennis Club | 2 | 03/04, 11/12 |
| Miles Armstrong | Hensman Park Tennis Club
Greenwood Tennis Club |
12/13, 14/15 | |
| Joel Pleydell | Cottesloe Tennis Club | 15/16, 17/18 | |
| Sam Ashendon | Royal Kings Park Tennis Club | 16/17, 18/19 | |
| Max Weir | Cottesloe Tennis Club | 22/23, 25/26 | |
| Will Hann | Cottesloe Tennis Club | 23/24, 24/25 |
| Player | Club | MVPs | Seasons |
|---|---|---|---|
| Donna Blackwell | City Beach Tennis Club | 4 | 04/05, 06/07, 07/08, 08/09 |
| Nina Catovic | Blue Gum Park Tennis Club | 3 | 14/15, 17/18, 18/19 |
| Bojana Bobusic | Cottesloe Tennis Club | 2 | 09/10, 17/18 |
| Katy O’Shea | City Beach Tennis Club
Blue Gum Park Tennis Club |
11/12, 16/17 | |
| Siobhan Drake-Brockman | Nedlands Tennis Club | 01/02, 05/06 |
Match Format
Each match consists of 6 individual matches, known as rubbers. There are four singles and two doubles rubbers in each match. Each rubber is best of three sets, with the third set played as a match tiebreak (first to ten points), if required. The winning team on the day is decided by the total rubbers won, followed by sets won, then games won. If all three of these factors are tied, the match is declared a draw.[14]
Broadcast
As of the 2025/26 season, all matches are broadcast live on YouTube[15] and Facebook, with live scoring available online via Scorebuzzer.[16][17]
Matches were previously broadcast on Streamer between the 2021/22 and 2024/25 seasons.[18] One match each round was broadcast on Streamer in the 2022/23 season. In October 2023, Tennis West and Streamer signed a deal which has all State League matches broadcast, with one 'feature match' each round containing commentary.[19]
Notable Players
A number of internationally and nationally recognised tennis professionals have competed in the Tennis West State League while representing local clubs, highlighting the competition's role in connecting elite talent with Western Australian club tennis.
Men's Professional Players
Players with ATP Tour experience who have competed in the State League include:
- Matthew Ebden - An Australian professional with multiple Grand Slam doubles titles and a top 50 doubles ranking, played for Wembley Downs Tennis Club during the 2011–12 State League season.[20][21]
- Brydan Klein - Aformer Australian junior champion and ATP Tour competitor who reached a top 200 singles ranking, played in the State League for Alexander Park Tennis Club.[22][23]
- John Peers - An Australian doubles specialist and Grand Slam winner, has appeared in State League competition representing Mosman Park Tennis Club.[24][25]
- Miles Armstrong - A former Australian tennis player with a career high ranking of 268 on the ATP tour won two State League MVP awards for Greenwood Tennis Club.
Women's Professional Players
The league has also included high-profile women's tennis professionals:
- Alicia Molik, former WTA world No. 8, Olympic medallist, and Australian Open quarter-finalist, captained Cottesloe Tennis Club in the Women's State League.[26][27]
- Maddison Inglis, a Perth‑born professional with a career‑high WTA singles ranking inside the world's top 120. She played in the State League for Cottesloe Tennis Club as a junior.
- Storm Hunter, a professional with significant doubles success on the WTA Tour, who played in the State League prior to focusing on her international career.[28]
These examples illustrate the State League's role as both a competitive platform for elite players and a bridge between professional and club-level tennis in Western Australia. By attracting professional players to compete in club teams, the league provides local communities with opportunities to witness high-standard tennis and supports player development pathways across the state.
Recent Criticism
In recent years, the Tennis West State League has faced public criticism from Western Australian tennis clubs and members of Perth's tennis community. Commentary shared through independent community platforms argued that the competition had declined in structure, promotion, and strategic direction, despite being regarded as the flagship club competition in the state.[8] This was also seen with the women's competition falling to just five participants in the 2025–26 season.
Critics stated that the league was no longer meeting expectations as an elite development pathway, with major concerns raised about inadequate support and funding for clubs, limited promotion of matches, and a lack of a clear long-term vision. Players, coaches and clubs highlighted the significant time and resources invested in preparing State League teams, expressing frustration that these efforts were not matched by organisational leadership or transparency. In addition, several tennis clubs publicly voiced concerns about governance at Tennis West, including calls from some clubs for changes in leadership and administrative strategy, reflecting broader dissatisfaction from parts of the WA tennis community.[29]
References
- ↑ "State League | Dalkeith Tennis Club | WA". dalkeithtennisclub. Retrieved 2026-02-05.
- ↑ "State League Honour Roll | State League | Competitions | Play". Tennis West. Retrieved 2025-03-03.
- ↑ "Tennis West - State League Booklet 2023 by conceptadmin - Issuu". issuu.com. 2023-01-31. Retrieved 2025-03-11.
- ↑ "Tennis West Staff | About Tennis West". Tennis West. Retrieved 2025-03-13.
- ↑ "Thrilling State League Finals Set For This Weekend". The Pinnacle Gazette. Retrieved 2025-03-24.
- ↑ "Men's and Women's State League Teams Confirmed for the Tennis West 2025/26 Summer League Season". Tennis West. Retrieved 2025-08-21.
- ↑ "2025-26 State League Teams Preview". Tennis West. Retrieved 2025-10-27.
- 1 2 Court Talk. "Time for Change in WA State League!". Facebook. Retrieved 2026-02-05.
- ↑ "Western suburbs tennis club clinch historic win". Community News. 2026-04-05. Retrieved 2026-04-09.
- ↑ "2025/26 State League Grand Final Preview". Tennis West. Retrieved 2026-03-21.
- ↑ "Results & Fixtures | WA Tennis League | Competitions | Play". Tennis West. Retrieved 2025-03-03.
- ↑ "Hensman Park aces eye third consecutive men's title". The West Australian. 2021-12-07. Retrieved 2026-02-05.
- ↑ "Cottesloe, Peppermint Grove claim tennis state league titles". The West Australian. 2023-03-19. Retrieved 2025-03-04.
- ↑ "Tennis League Rules and Regulations" (PDF). September 2024. Retrieved 2025-03-22.
- ↑ "Tennis West Official". YouTube. Retrieved 2025-11-03.
- ↑ "Men's and Women's State League Teams Confirmed for the Tennis West 2025/26 Summer League Season". Tennis West. Retrieved 2025-08-21.
- ↑ "ScoreBuzzer". tenniswest.scorebuzzer.com. Retrieved 2025-11-03.
- ↑ "Tennis West State League live streams and replays: See it on Streamer". Streamer. Retrieved 2025-03-04.
- ↑ "Every Tennis West State League Match to be Streamed". Tennis West. Retrieved 2025-03-08.
- ↑ "Tennis West Awards Night Preview". Tennis West. Retrieved 2026-02-05.
- ↑ "Matthew Ebden | Overview | ATP Tour | Tennis". ATP Tour. Retrieved 2026-02-05.
- ↑ "Top flight tennis comes to Alexander Park for the new season". PerthNow. 2025-10-23. Retrieved 2026-02-05.
- ↑ "Brydan Klein | Overview | ATP Tour | Tennis". ATP Tour. Retrieved 2026-02-05.
- ↑ "Grand Slam Champion John Peers to headline Tennis West State League alongside Matt Ebden & Alicia Molik". Tennis West. Retrieved 2026-02-05.
- ↑ "John Peers | Overview | ATP Tour | Tennis". ATP Tour. Retrieved 2026-02-05.
- ↑ "Alicia Molik | Player Stats & More – WTA Official". Women's Tennis Association. Retrieved 2026-02-05.
- ↑ "Aussie ace on court for Cottesloe in State League return". The West Australian. 2024-10-18. Retrieved 2026-02-05.
- ↑ "Storm Hunter | Player Stats & More – WTA Official". Women's Tennis Association. Retrieved 2026-02-05.
- ↑ "EXCLUSIVE: Tennis clubs rally around Patten, focus ire on board". The West Australian. 2023-09-15. Retrieved 2026-02-05.