Starting in November, the Kiama Tennis Club will introduce a new monthly social tennis event on the first Friday of each month from 6 to 9 pm.

The club aims to attract new members, keep tennis exciting, and provide an opportunity for players to improve their skills.

“It’s open to members and visitors who want to come down and play. People can bring their own drinks, and we'll provide snacks for the evening. We’ve arranged for several of our division one and two players to join, so attendees can enhance their skills,” says Kiama Tennis Club President David Lehman.

Members will pay a $2 ball fee, while visitors will be charged $10. Lehman hopes that events like this will energise the sport of tennis in the local area, especially in light of the growing popularity of similar sports like pickleball.

“It's really a drive to keep tennis alive and vibrant. Obviously, many people are playing pickleball right now, but our courts are synthetic grass, which means we can’t accommodate pickleball. We’re committed to remaining a purist tennis club,” explains Lehman.

Lehman emphasises the unique social aspect of tennis, noting how it allows players to meet and interact while enjoying friendly competition.

“There’s a social aspect to tennis where you get to meet people, and then there’s the competitive side that can emerge. What makes tennis unique is this combination of social interaction and competitiveness,” he adds.

The first Friday night social event will take place on November 1. If you're interested, contact Kiama Tennis Club for more information.

In addition to the new social event, the Kiama Tennis Club will also host the 2024 Kiama Seniors Tournament from November 8 to 10. This tournament is for players over the age of 30, and November 1 is also the closing date to enter.

Interested participants can email [email protected] to apply.