Bareena Tennis is a fixture at the top of Balgowlah Heights where they have been coaching children in tennis for more than 16 years. The tennis club has been located here since the early 19th century and is as much a part of the region as anything else.
I had a chance to speak with Marc Dragan from Bareena whose work here has made him a beloved member of the neighbourhood. He’s been coaching since he was 16 years old, nearly 40 years and has worked with Bareena for 16 years coaching children. It’s a point of pride (and enjoyment) for him, getting to come in every single day and see the children without the baggage, concerns, and stress of adults – just thrilled to be out enjoying the weather and playing tennis.
Marc’s own background in tennis saw him playing in local, state, and some national tournaments, with travel overseas for the sport in his youth – it’s been something he loves since he was a teenager and you can see it in his face as he talks about tennis today.
Because of the club’s location, Bareena Park has a number of students from the nearby Balgowlah Heights Public School and St Cecilia’s, both walking distance or short driving distance from the club.
If you are interested in learning more about classes for children at Bareena Park, you can visit their website here or you can visit the courts every day between 7am until dark for open sessions that vary throughout the week for different skill levels. Marc’s classes are held every afternoon except Sundays during school terms.