Australia's only club and school community — free with every order.
"Club Captain has gone above and beyond to ensure our needs have been met, even in a remote area. I highly recommend their service."
— Nicole
The Compact Court Water Remover That Gets You Back on the Court in Minutes.
The Super Sopper Minnow is a tennis court water remover built for clubs, schools, and facilities that need to clear surface water fast — without heavy machinery, power, or a grounds crew. Roll it over a wet court, netball surface, or flooded corner and the 600mm foam roller soaks up water on contact, squeezes it into the 20 litre holding tank, and keeps going. Light enough for a child to use at just 20kg dry, it fits into tight corners, moves easily between courts, and stores in a standard equipment shed without taking up valuable space.
An Australian invention since 1974 and listed in the Powerhouse Museum's top 100 Australian innovations of the 20th century, the Super Sopper is the standard water removal equipment at cricket grounds, tennis clubs, and sports facilities worldwide. The Minnow is the most versatile model in the range — compact enough for courts and tight spaces, capable enough for grass fields and ovals. No power, no batteries, no setup. Wheel it out and go.
📦 What you need to know
20 litre holding tank · 600mm wide foam roller · Removes up to 25mm deep surface water per pass · 20kg dry weight · No power required · Works on grass, synthetic, clay, hard court, and concrete surfaces · Made in Australia
Tennis Clubs with One or Two CourtsThe Minnow is sized perfectly for a single tennis court or a small court complex. Light enough for any volunteer to wheel out, compact enough to get into the corners where puddles collect, and quick enough to clear a court before a match is called off.
Netball and Basketball CourtsHard court surfaces pool water quickly and become dangerous underfoot. The Minnow clears surface water from netball courts, outdoor basketball courts, and synthetic surfaces in a few passes — safe to play on within minutes of a shower stopping.
Schools Managing Wet Courts and Playing AreasSchools can't wait for courts to dry naturally between periods. The Minnow is light enough for school staff or senior students to operate and clears playground courts, synthetic surfaces, and hard play areas quickly — PE class back on schedule, no wet feet, no safety issues.
Clubs Needing a Lightweight, Easy-to-Store SolutionAt 20kg dry the Minnow is easy to move, easy to lift into a ute or van, and stores without taking up the space a larger machine demands. For clubs without a dedicated grounds crew, the Minnow is the one anyone can grab and use without instruction.
Multi-Sport Clubs with Courts and FieldsThe Minnow works on every surface — grass, synthetic grass, clay, hard court, and concrete. For clubs managing multiple surface types, one machine handles all of them. It has even been used successfully on multi-storey building sites after rain.
No power, no setup — wheel it out and goNo batteries, no fuel, no extension leads, no switches. Roll it out of the shed, push it across the wet surface, and the foam roller does the work. The simplest possible solution to a wet court or soggy sideline — anyone can use it, first time, no instruction needed.
Removes up to 25mm deep surface water per passThe 600mm foam roller absorbs surface water on contact and the squeeze roller forces it into the holding tank continuously as you push. Up to 25mm deep surface water cleared per pass — most courts are playable within a few passes of the worst affected areas.
Light enough for anyone to operateAt 20kg dry the Minnow is light enough for a child to use. No heavy lifting, no specialist training, no physical strain. Hand it to whoever is available — a parent, a junior player, a school student — and the surface is cleared without waiting for the right person.
Compact enough for tight corners and small courtsThe Minnow's compact dimensions get into the corners and edges where puddles collect and a larger machine can't manoeuvre. On a tennis court or netball court those corner puddles are exactly where you need the most coverage — the Minnow reaches them.
Works on every surfaceGrass, synthetic grass, clay, hard court, concrete — the Minnow handles all of them. The foam roller is safe for synthetic surfaces and won't damage court surfaces or turf. One machine, every surface your facility has.
Easy to empty — tip and drainWhen the 20 litre tank is full, tip the Minnow on its side over a drain or suitable area and the water empties by gravity. Back upright and rolling again in seconds — no valves, no pumps, no tools.
Proudly made in Australia since 1974The Super Sopper was invented in Australia in 1974 by Gordon Withnall and is listed in the Powerhouse Museum's top 100 Australian innovations of the 20th century. It's the standard water removal equipment at cricket grounds, tennis clubs, and sports facilities worldwide — and it's still made in Australia today.
Grant Funding — Could This Be Covered?
Facility maintenance equipment is eligible under a range of grants available to Australian sports clubs, schools, and community organisations — including state sport and recreation grants, local council community facility programs, and school facility upgrade funding. At Club Captain we help clubs find the right grant, scope the project, build a strong application, and submit with confidence.
The Minnow removes up to 25mm of surface water per pass. For most court puddles and wet patches after rain that's cleared in a few passes. Deeper pooling or large flooded areas may require more passes or a larger model.
How do I empty the tank?
Tip the Minnow on its side over a drain or any suitable area and the water empties by gravity through the side outlet. No valves, no pumps, no tools required. The 20 litre tank holds enough water to cover most court clearing sessions before needing to be emptied.
Will it damage synthetic or hard court surfaces?
No — the foam roller is safe for synthetic grass, hard courts, clay, and concrete surfaces. The Super Sopper is used at professional tennis facilities, cricket grounds, and synthetic hockey fields worldwide without surface damage.
Is the Minnow or the Sandpiper right for us?
The Minnow is the right choice for clubs managing courts, small fields, or venues where portability and manoeuvrability matter — 20kg dry, 20 litre tank, easy for anyone to use. The Sandpiper has a 48 litre tank and is built for larger fields and ovals where you need to cover more ground before emptying. If you're managing a cricket oval, football field, or large multi-sport ground, the Sandpiper handles the volume better.
How do I maintain it?
Rinse the foam roller with clean water after use to remove any debris or dirt. Store with the roller raised off the ground using the handle rest position — this prevents the foam from taking a flat set from sitting on a hard surface. Replacement foam pads are available when needed.
Is it grant eligible?
Yes — facility maintenance equipment is eligible under a range of grants available to Australian sports clubs, schools, and community organisations. Start with The Grant Playbook →
Once your order is confirmed we get it moving straight away. You'll receive tracking as soon as it leaves the warehouse. If you're unsure whether the Minnow is the right size for your facility, call us on 1300 715 818 before you order and we'll help you choose.
Free shipping Australia-wide — metro, regional, and rural. No surprise freight costs at checkout.
Need Something Bigger?
The Minnow is the right machine for courts, small fields, and tight spaces. If your club manages a full-sized oval, cricket ground, or large multi-sport field — where you need to cover more ground and hold more water before stopping to empty — the Super Sopper Sandpiper is built for that job. Same proven technology, 48 litre tank, purpose-built for larger venues.
