The competition begins next week, on Monday February 11, and judging by the attendance at the grading which was held last Monday, anticipation among the local tennis fraternity is high. 

“It was very good, it had good attendance and there was quite a few new faces which is always good,” Jenny Daniher, tennis club member and competition organiser, said. 

“We had plenty of numbers for a good number of players and a good number of teams.” 

The grading works to ensure that teams are organised by the amount of experience and skill the players possess. 

Each team has eight members, and they are numbered from one (the most experienced and usually the best players) all the way to eight, who are the least experienced. 

The grading events are important to ensure that the balance of the competition is not skewed unfairly. 

Although this summer has been one of unusual extremes, with periods of searing temperatures followed consistently by periods of torrential rain, Daniher is sure that it will not impact the popularity of the Autumn competition. 

“The heat’s not a factor, it doesn’t start ‘til seven o’clock so it’s generally cooled down by then,” she said. 

“Usually it’s by the end of this comp that it’s getting very cold, by the beginning of May, so that can sometimes be a turn-off to some people.” 

However, Daniher is sure that the numbers for the Autumn comp will remain strong due to the recent wave of tennis tournaments. 

“We normally get a stronger turnout to the summer competition just because people have been watching the tennis on TV,” she said. 

“Or they’ve been aware of the Australian Open and the Sydney International and it gets people enthused.” 

The Braidwood Tennis Autumn Competition will begin on Monday February 11, 2019, and will be played every Monday and Tuesday night from 7pm. For any late entries, please contact Jenny Daniher on 0428 216 878.