Open days to show tennis skills
The Stratford tennis club is holding open days for people to come along and have a go at the sport.
Bruce Cleland, president of the Stratford Tennis Club, says they have already held two open days, and have two more scheduled for the next two weeks. Over the next two Saturdays the club will host open days for primary school-aged players from four to 12 to see if they like the sport. The open days will start at 10am.
“It’s for all children in the age range, regardless of them having every played before or not.”
Bruce says club membership for the primary age is $75.
“That includes hotshots coaching over the week as well as Saturday tennis which runs for about 12 weeks of the year.”
First year members also receive a free racquet, he says.
The open days will also target older players, with players of all ages and abilities welcome at 1pm.
Bruce says players have a range of options with the club, from Saturday regular play for various levels in the A and B grades as well as twilight social doubles tennis, where there are three players to a team.
“You can enter as an individual or as a team and we cater for all abilities, with the focus being on fun.”
Bruce says another fun option is cardio tennis which takes place with private coaching and a regular ‘hit up’ on a Thursday evening.
Last year the tennis club enjoyed success in their grades, says Bruce, with the top team runners up in the A2 grade.
“We also had three B teams with the best one finishing in third place, and two C grade teams who finished second and third.”
Over the last few years the club has had more than 50 junior players go through as well as around 40 senior players from beginners right through, says Bruce.
“We also have two rising up and coming players, Anna Hutterd and Courtney Tippet, who have been regulars in the Taranaki Age group scene. They are both keen to keep honing their skills and should be in the U16s as well as the Taranaki Senior Rep teams this year.”
■ Find out more: Call Bruce Cleland on 06 765 7877.