Marlborough Express

Junior tennis players good to go

- PETER JONES

Marlboroug­h’s tennis courts will be buzzing this weekend when 54 teams begin the new season’s Inspire Tennis primary schools competitio­n, across five divisions.

Competitio­n begins with a grading day on Saturday, October 21, then resumes with round one on November 4. It will break for Christmas on December 16 and resume after the school holidays. Thirteen schools have entered teams into the competitio­n, 16 from Springland­s, eight from Bohally, while Riverlands and Renwick contribute five teams apiece.

Wilson division one will involve two teams from Rapaura, two from Bohally and one from Renwick and should provide evenly-matched competitio­n among players who often train twice Solinco division two will be contested by 12 strong teams, with Babolat division three and Head division four made up of less experience­d players playing with low compressio­n balls.Thirty three teams have entered across the latter two divisions.

The Inspire Tennis Kiwi division caters for players at the beginning of their tennisplay­ing years who play on half-sized courts. A drop-in tennis coaching programme is also run by the Marlboroug­h Tennis Club between 9am and 10am on Saturday mornings over the summer and looks after players aged 3-7 not involved in the competitio­n. Registrati­on is not necessary. The cost is $2 per player and it starts on November 4.

A new College Singles League will be held on Saturdays afternoons between 12 and 2pm. Players must register for this competitio­n which will be a round robin singles competitio­n starting on November 4. Players will be divided into groups accord- ing to ability. Those in year eight are also welcome to play in this competitio­n which will initially run until Christmas. To register email admin@marlboroug­htennis.co.nz for an entry form. Entries close October 27.

The popular Monday College Doubles league will continue, running from 4.30pm to 6pm on Monday afternoons from October 16. Beginners are welcome with coaching included. No pre-registrati­on is needed.

 ?? PHOTO: RICKY WILSON/STUFF ?? Lily Parkinson will play for Rapaura Aces when the primary tennis season begins on Saturday.
PHOTO: RICKY WILSON/STUFF Lily Parkinson will play for Rapaura Aces when the primary tennis season begins on Saturday.

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