Tennis bookings set for the net

The system, which commenced on October 1, will allow both members and non-members access to an allocated court by using a computer, tablet or mobile device when making reservations through the Queanbeyan Park Tennis Club website.

Queanbeyan Park Tennis Club Vice President Kathy Sly said she was hoping the change would give the club more independence.

"I think it will drag us into the 21st Century a little bit," she said.

"Until a year ago we used to have to rely on casual members going over to the bowling club across the road and paying there ... we had to find an alternative."

A solution presented itself when Tennis Australia said they were looking for volunteer clubs to be part of the trial phase of the new system's implementation.

The club's needs for a new booking method just happened to come at the right moment, as Tennis Australia were scouting for pilot venues.

Sly was optimistic that the new system would encourage more people to get involved in the sport as tennis approaches its summer season.

"It should increase usability of the courts because we'll have more people there," she said.

"The more people that can come along and have a good experience, the more likely they are to join."

Queanbeyan Park Tennis Club is hoping the new system will appeal to a greater junior base, thanks to its newfound modern approach.

But she stressed older members of the club without email addresses won't be left out to dry.

"They can still have access to a pin code that they can currently use. It shouldn't isolate anybody," she said.

The new system strives for maximum convenience, catering for those playing in the later evenings by automatically switching the lights on at the time the session is booked, and taking payments with credit cards.

The program will be used on a trial basis for six months, but Sly hopes it will become a permanent feature of the Queanbeyan Park Tennis Club.

"I can't imagine we will revert back," she said.