Social
Social Tennis is for RKPTC members and their guests - we are working hard to expand it to the public so stay tuned and email admin@rkptc.com.au to get the latest information on joining Social Tennis.
What is Social Tennis?
At Royal King's Park Tennis Club, social tennis is the foundation of our playing community. It bridges our rich heritage with a modern, inclusive environment, ensuring all members have access to fair, structured, and highly engaging match play. Coordinated social play is designed to maximize time on the court, foster community connection, and uphold the standards of our club.
For weekend social tennis, the only thing you need to do when you show up is write your name down and circle how many sets you want to play.
The Rules of Social Tennis
Computer System & Variety: Setsy is utilised to ensure variety and eliminate human bias by preventing certain people from being grouped together repeatedly. However, when attendance numbers are low, there can only be so much variety.
On-Court Support: The set maker and Committee members in attendance are dedicated to ensuring rallies continue during social tennis.
The Five-Minute Rule: For all standard rounds throughout the day, if you arrive at the board at least 5 minutes before a set begins, we promise to do our absolute best to get you on the court for the very next round.
Balanced Matchups: We try to ensure 4 of 6 sets on Saturday and 3 of 4 sets on Sunday are played around equal levels. This means about 30% of your sets will be played as mixed-level.
Swapping & Changing Partners: Swapping is absolutely OK! If you swap with someone else, please ensure it is mutually agreed and inform us after so we can recalibrate our system to make sure we can incorporate this. (Swaps apply only within your allocated court.)
Constructive Feedback vs. Court Etiquette: To clarify how this works alongside swapping: adjusting your match mutually and positively on the court is highly encouraged! However, if you have broader frustrations, complaints, or constructive feedback about the schedule itself, please bring those directly to the social set makers (typically Chris Nicholls, Beth the Club Captain and Katherine the President) off the courts. Negative court-side commentary is not appropriate.
Saturday Afternoon
Social Tennis & Tea
2.00pm to 6.00pm
Keen to have fun or feel competitive? Saturday Afternoon Social Tennis & Tea is perfect for both occasions. Members can play for up to six “rounds” of doubles throughout the year. At the end of the play, many of the players retire to the member's lounge or the outdoor terrace for a social drink and snack with fellow members.
In Summer, the first organised round of 30 minutes starts at 2:00 pm, and in Winter at 1:30 pm. Please arrive at least 5 minutes prior to the commencement of each round to ensure you will be included.
After the third round, complimentary afternoon tea is served in the Members’ Pavilion.
Sunday Friendly
3.00pm to 5.00pm
Sunday Friendly provides organised tennis every Sunday afternoon for players of all ages and standards. It is fun tennis in a more condensed time offering to Saturday.
Please arrive at least 5 minutes prior to the commencement of each round to ensure you will be included. In Summer, the first organised round of 30 minutes starts at 3:00pm and in Winter at 2:00pm.
Wednesday Night Tennis
6.00pm to 8.00pm
Our Junior Coordinator Larisa regularly holds Wednesday evening social tennis on the hard courts. All level of play is welcome and it is a great way to sharpen your tennis skills and make new friends. Please email her directly at juniors@rkptc.com.au for more details.