If you're wanting to embark on a more active and healthy lifestyle in 2020, tennis could be your sport of choice.
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Soldiers Point Tennis Club, located on Soldiers Point Road opposite the holiday park, has been serving the Port Stephens community - both locals and tourists - for more than 40 years.
The club has three synthetic grass courts, all of which are lit, a clubhouse and adjoining toilets, an enclosed hitting wall that is available free of charge to use at any time, barbecues and kids playground in a park area with shaded tables.
The club has also very low membership fees and, according to two of its longest serving members Heather Cowle and Carol Lewis, is a great venue to stay active and make new friends.
"I have been playing tennis since I was eight years old and I am now 82," said Cowle. "It's great for fitness and friendship and the members at Soldiers Point will make you feel most welcome."
For Lewis, a member of the Soldiers Point club for more than 30 years ago, tennis makes for a healthy lifestyle and "I have no doubt it makes you live longer".
The club's membership has increased in recent years thanks to a forward-thinking committee led by husband and wife team, Paul (president) and Norunn (secretary) McQuarrie.
"Our membership has grown to 133 (from 66 five years ago), including between 35-40 juniors under the guidance of coach James Bellette," Paul said.
"Our club was also the first in NSW to introduce the fully automated pin code system called My Tennis, where people can book online, pay by credit card and access the courts through a pin number.
"It has proven to be very convenient for the users and very successful for the club, in fact the cost of the system has already paid for itself."
Coaching for kids is provided on Tuesday afternoons during school terms and the club has social tennis days most weekdays where non members are welcome to attend, with a wide range of standard of play.
The cost of hire for non-members is $18 per hour with free racquets and balls.
The club is also encouraging holiday makers to utilise the courts during the summer break by using the online system.
A couple of 'come and try' family days are being held on Saturday, February 1 and 8, from 4pm. All are welcome to attend.