Tennis Fun Day. Come and Try!!

The day was orchestrated by the Junior Tennis Development Committee (JTDC) a subcommittee of Tennis North. JTDC committee is made up of parents of junior tennis players who are passionate about promoting the sport. Tennis Fun Day, held at Tennis World Launceston, was further supported by Tennis Tasmania, with more than 60 participants turning out to give it a go.  The format was simple: short coached sessions, open access to courts, and a barbecue running alongside it all. People could arrive, join a group, have a hit, and stay as long or as little as they liked.

Some participants were picking up a racquet for the first time. Others hadn’t played in years and were curious to see how it felt again. Coaches rotated groups through basic drills, light rallies, and small games, adjusting the sessions depending on who stepped onto the court. There wasn’t any pressure to perform or sign up to anything. It was more about removing the barrier of getting started.

Getting people on court, not just watching

The day worked because it focused on participation rather than demonstration. Instead of showcasing high-level play, the emphasis stayed on getting people moving, hitting balls, and interacting with others. For younger kids, that meant simple coordination games and short rallies. For adults, it often turned into informal hitting sessions and conversations about local competitions or social tennis options.

Parents stayed nearby, chatting with volunteers and other families while keeping an eye on their kids progress. Some ended up joining in themselves. The barbecue helped create that pause between sessions where people could sit, talk, and decide whether to head back onto the court for another go.

For Tennis North, events like this are a practical way to connect with people who might not otherwise walk into a club environment. It shifts tennis from something organised and structured into something approachable and visible in the community.

A small step that builds ongoing involvement.

By the end of the day, a number of participants had asked about regular programs, coaching options, and local competitions. Others simply left with a better understanding of how to access courts or join in socially. Not everyone who attends will continue, and that’s expected. The value sits in making that first interaction easy and positive.

In Launceston, Tasmania, where community sport plays a steady role in local life, these smaller entry points matter. They give people a way to test something without commitment and see where they fit. For some, it leads to regular play. For others, it might just be a one-off experience, but even that adds to how sport is seen and talked about locally.

Tennis North continues to run these kinds of sessions because they create a visible, low-pressure connection between the sport and the broader community. It’s not about scale or numbers alone, but about making sure the courts are used, seen, and open to anyone willing to step onto them.