North Otago Tennis opens its season with the annual Love Tennis event this weekend. It acts as an open day for the club.
North Otago Tennis president Stu Hirst said the event was for "anyone from 2 years old to 102".
"A lot of the times adults think it’s just for the kids but it’s for absolutely everyone," Hirst said.
"[It’s for] anyone who wants to come down and who’s played before and just wants to pick up a racket and see if they want to get back into it.
"We’ll have our coaches down there running some programmes for the kids so they can all see what our hotshots [youth] programme is all about."
All gear will be supplied, he said.
"Nobody needs to bring anything. Just bring themselves. We’ll put the gear in their hands, throw them on a court, give them balls, give them instructions and they can have a blast."
Hirst said in previous years Love Tennis had attracted more than 100 people and he would love for the same on Sunday.
Parents can sign their children up for programmes on the day.
There will also be a sausage sizzle and an array of prizes to be given away including a trip to the ASB Classic in Auckland as part of a national promotion by Tennis New Zealand.
Hirst was also excited about Sport Co bringing "all the at least and greatest rackets" from tennis brand Head.
Those who attend will be able to try out tennis rackets, hitting against a ball machine before they decide if they want to buy one.
"Which is something different for Oamaru...
"I’m really looking forward to that because I’ve never tried all the Head rackets and I’ve never hit against a ball machine."
The first tournament of the season will be held over Labour Weekend and Hirst said the Chelmer St courts were looking the "best they’ve been for a while".
The club has also replaced the back fence.
"Everything’s looking really good for a new season," he said.
Love Tennis begins at 10am on Sunday.
