During the January holidays Tawa Squash Club, Wellington North Badminton and Tawa Tennis Club initiated an exciting new holiday programme - Racketlon. The joint initiative was a way to introduce local kids to the three sports as well as make connections between the clubs. The young players were able to attend 1 - 3 days across the week, with 29 kids (ranging in age from 6 - 13) experiencing the three sports across the week. Several kids had originally planned to only come on Monday, but returned for the Wednesday session as they'd had such a good time. Each sport was allocated a 1.5 hour slot and the kids rotated as a group from sport to sport. The three clubs are within walking distance and this made it ideal for setting up a day based holiday programme.

The initiative was headed by an experienced coach at each sport and supported by other coaches during the week due to high numbers each day. Special thanks to Rhys Hopkin (Wellington North Badminton), Matt Green (Tawa Squash) and Santi Veglia (Tawa Tennis) for the fabulous coaching across the week. 

The initiative tried to keep costs to a minimum. Daily cost was $50 per player or $135 for the three sessions.

The initiative has received incredibly positive feedback from both kids and their parents. All three clubs were rapt with the response and enthusiasm and look set for round two of Racketlon in the April holidays.

Liked trying sports I haven't played much - trying something new.

Kids had a blast.

The way the coaches made it so much fun.

Enjoyed all of the sessions - particularly trying some new sports.

Make it a week long maybe - not just three days.

My kids were keen to play each sport for longer - maybe 2hr sessions?

Feedback received from participants and parents

Contacts:

Tawa Squash: Matt Green
Tawa Tennis: Julie Roberts 
Wellington North Badminton:  Rhys Hopkin