Book a Court is an online court booking and payment platform that connects with pin pad technology on the gates. You can use any device you have to book and you can book days in advance or as soon as 15mins. The most exciting part of the system is the fact that the lights are aligned to the bookings so everyone can now book a court at night time using the lights. Please note Helen Magill or any other Committee member is now unable to take onsite bookings with cash. All bookings must be made through the system for both day and night time. All enquiries to Brendon Hunt on 0417 556 633 or parkestennis@gmail.com

Family Social Tennis - Stay'n'Play: This Friday will see the second of Parkes tennis new Friday evening initiative. Getting the family together and enjoying the facilities are the reasons this initiative was started and after a hugely successful first event involving the pinkupParkes campaign where over 120 people attended, this Friday will see more fun and activities for everyone. From 6pm to 8.30pm, no need to book in just turn up. $20/family or $10per person includes a bbq tea. BYO drinks. Racquets are available to borrow. There will be free play to go and use the courts with family and friends, parent and child red ball challenge, doubles with a difference and some fun activities. All enquiries to Sharon Hunt on 0403 894 607.

Competitions: Junior Comp is rolling along with Round 3 this afternoon. The night comp is also in full swing with all teams enjoying being back on court for the Summer.

NSW State finals: Poppy Fisher, Faith Clarke, Maddy McCormick and Abbey Kennedy competed at the TennisNSW JDS State Finals on the weekend in Sydney and all enjoyed their time on court. Poppy and Faith were both experiencing this step up for the first time and found the going pretty tough but now know how hard they will need to work to be competitive again next year. Maddy McCormick won her first match in the 16s singles and doubles but then went down in both and unfortunately didn't bring her best tennis to the court on Sunday and lost in the quarter finals of the consolation.

Abbey made the semi finals of the 16s and played a competitive semi with opportunities to take both sets going down 6/3, 6/4. She then played off for third and fourth against the number one seed who also lost in the semis but was too good for Abbey on this occasion. A fourth place finish at the State Finals is a solid effort though and will deliver an improvement in her UTR which is what she is working on in 2019/20. Abbey was in the final of the 16s doubles when this column went to print.

Country Workshop: After the TennisNSW awards night last Thursday acknowledging the great people in tennis, it was down to the business of country tennis for two days to work on the way forward for our regional areas. Much discussion was had around the regional camps, country champs and providing more opportunities for regional juniors and administrators alike to upskill. There is an opportunity if you are interested in hearing about the future of tennis with a leadership road show/club forum at Paramount Tennis Club Dubbo tomorrow from 11am-1pm or 6pm-8pm. No need to register just arrive on site. For more information Matt Edwards from TennisNSW on 0437 668 276.