TENNIS is set to ace COVID-19 in the Gannawarra Shire and surround.
There were hopes to get the Saturday season under way on October 24, but it was decided players would be otherwise occupied.
“The Northern District Lawn Tennis Association has made an educated call, because of the AFL grand final on the 24th and feedback from clubs, that we’re officially going to start on the 31st,” NDLTA president Wayne Hall said.
There is no suggestion of a Halloween theme, but it will be interesting to see whether or not any players are dressed for the occasion.
Clubs submitted their teams to the association by Friday evening to allow fixtures to be prepared.
Mr Hall hopes they will be ready by this weekend, with people afforded an opportunity to comment before they are finalised.
Once fixtures are available, they will appear in Gannawarra Times and season booklets will be printed.
Not everyone is waiting for the season opening to dust off their racquets, with social tennis, coaching and junior programs starting.
Kerang Lawn Tennis Club is holding a junior registration evening on Friday for its Hot Shots program and Friday junior competition.
“Hot Shots is generally from about age five and it’s like beginner coaching, and once they can start hitting the ball and doing a basic serve they shift up to the junior section,” the club’s Janda Lancaster said.
Both programs will then continue to run on Friday nights, with Hot Shots participants – under the guidance of professional coach David Jonkers of Swan Hill, and more advanced juniors playing competition.
Murrabit Lawn Tennis Club’s junior program is starting soon, with Hot Shots and Tennis 4 Teens (from age 11) beginning on October 22.
Those keen for a hit at Cohuna can take part in free tennis sessions tonight and next Tuesday evening.
That leads into Tuesday twilight competition, starting October 27.
“We run a comp until Christmas and then we run another one when school goes back,” Cohuna Lawn Tennis Club treasurer Mary Rodwell said.
“We play best-of-three sets and you play different pairs each week.”
All tennis participants must adhere to COVID-19 precautions including wearing masks when not playing and not sharing racquets, and are reminded to bring a drink bottle and hat.
Breakout
Kerang junior program
REGISTRATION evening for junior competition and Hot Shots is Friday from 4pm.
Hot Shots participants get a showbag, including a racquet on sign up, with the support of the ANZ Bank and Tennis Victoria.
Hot Shots and junior competition continue on Fridays.
For inquiries please contact Janda on 0438 407 488.
Cohuna community hit
FREE tennis sessions take place from 6pm on October, Tuesday 13 and 20.
Please note that entry is temporarily via the second oval due to roundabout works.
Twilight competition starts on Tuesday, October 27, at 6pm. Fees are $5 per night for visitors and $3 per session for Cohuna Lawn Tennis Club members.
Murrabit junior program
MURRABIT Lawn Tennis Club’s junior program runs for nine weeks, starting Thursday, October 22.
Hotshots starts at 5.30pm, with those aged from three years welcome to participate and sessions run by Pam and Barry Lingenberg.
The total cost of $30 per child includes an icy pole each week and a Hot Shots T-shirt.
Register at hotshots.tennis.com.au
Tennis 4 Teens starts at 6pm, catering for those from age 11 and run by coach Shaun Davey.
For inquiries, contact Ang on 0408 313 257 or Sara on 0439 380 604.
