The exciting new sport of Touch Tennis is making its Ayrshire debut at the Inverclyde National Sports Centre on Sunday 7th October. The Centre is hosting a free taster event from 6-8pm in the main sports hall. All equipment will be provided as well as guidance on how to play. So there’s no excuse not to go along and try it out.

The twin aims are to provide an opportunity for people from North Ayrshire in particular to try out the sport and also to establish whether there is sufficient interest to start a regular weekly programme of Touch Tennis sessions.

First played in 2002 Touch Tennis has quickly established itself worldwide and now includes its own professional circuit with tournaments regularly featured on Sky Sports. Such is its popularity that it’s claimed to be one of the world’s fastest growing sports.

Touch Tennis is a modified version of tennis played on a smaller badminton size court, with foam balls, shorter (21”) racquets and a reduced height net.

Singles or doubles can be played. Rallies are typically longer than full court tennis making for great fun with the key to success being in outmanoevering opponents rather than simple power. The equipment used and smaller court size also makes it much easier for beginners to pick up and become competent against more experienced players relatively quickly.

Organiser John Wilson, Chairman of West Kilbride Tennis Club says “ Since becoming aware of Touch Tennis I’ve read and heard a lot about what great fun it is and how easy it is to play for everyone regardless of age or athletic ability. I’m really looking forward to trying it out and hope we can get it established at Inverclyde as a genuinely accessible sports option for a wide range of local people.”