Understanding AS2560: What Every Club President Needs to Know

If you’re on a tennis club or sports committee, you’ve probably heard the term "AS2560" thrown around. Usually, it comes up when you’re applying for a grant, dealing with Council, or listening to members grumble about "dark spots" on the court.

It sounds dry—and let’s be honest, reading Australian Standards isn't exactly a thrilling way to spend your weekend. But if you are looking to upgrade your lights, understanding the basics of AS 2560.2.1 is arguably the most important step in protecting your club’s future.

Here is the plain-English guide to what the standard means, why it matters, and how to make sure your new lights tick the box.

What is AS2560?

In short, AS 2560.2.1 is the specific Australian Standard that governs lighting for tennis. It doesn’t just measure how bright a light is; it measures the quality of the light across the entire court.

For a Club President, there are really only three metrics you need to worry about:

1. Lux Levels (The Brightness)

"Lux" is simply the measure of how much light hits the court surface.

• Recreational / Social Play: The standard recommends 250 Lux. This is fine for social hitting, but often not enough for serious comp.

• Club Competition: The standard recommends 350 Lux. This is the sweet spot for most clubs. If you host pennant, night comps, or coaching, this is usually the target you need to hit to keep Tennis Australia and your members happy.

2. Uniformity (The Consistency)

This is where cheap "hardware store" floodlights fail. You can have a super bright light in the middle of the court (high Lux), but dark corners at the baseline.

AS2560 requires a specific ratio of Uniformity. It ensures the light is spread evenly across the playing area so a player tracking a lob doesn't lose the ball in a dark patch.

The Rule of Thumb: If the court looks patchy, it’s not compliant, even if it’s bright.

3. Glare Control

The standard also considers the visual comfort of the players. Lights need to be positioned and aimed in a way that minimises blinding players when they serve or look up for a smash.

Why Does Compliance Matter? (The "So What?")

You might be thinking, "We’re just a local club, do we really need to be this technical?"

The answer is yes, for three critical reasons:

1. Grant Funding & Council Approval

If you are applying for funding—whether it’s a state government grant or a local council rebate—AS2560 compliance is mandatory.

Grant assessors will look for a lighting design that proves your project meets the standard. If you install non-compliant lights, you risk having funding withheld or being forced to tear them down.

2. Liability and Insurance

This is the big one. If a member trips and injures themselves during a night match, and they claim it was because they couldn't see properly, your insurance company will ask one question: "Was the lighting compliant?"

Meeting the standard is your committee's best defence against negligence claims.

3. The Neighbour Factor (Light Spill)

While AS2560 looks at the court, there is a partner standard called AS 4282 (Obtrusive Light) which governs how much light spills into your neighbours' backyards.

Modern, compliant LED fixtures are designed to cut the light off sharply at the fence line. Old or cheap lights spill everywhere. Keeping the neighbours happy is the best way to ensure your lights stay on.

The "Trap" for Young Players

The biggest mistake we see clubs make is buying lights based on wattage rather than design.

A 500W LED from a general wholesaler might be bright, but if it doesn't have the correct lenses for a tennis court, it will blast light into the sky and leave your baselines dark.

You cannot be AS2560 compliant just by buying a specific light fixture. Compliance is achieved through the Lighting Design—the specific combination of pole height, fixture angle, and lens technology tailored to your specific court dimensions.

The Next Step for Your Committee

Don't guess. Before you commit thousands of dollars of club funds, get a Lighting Design Plan.

At Tennis Court Lighting, we don't just sell hardware. We provide a computed lighting design that guarantees your new system meets AS2560 standards specifically for your club's layout.

Does your club need a lighting upgrade? Contact us today for a free consultation. We’ll help you navigate the standards, prepare your grant applications, and get your courts looking like Centre Court.