The statewide tournament is an initiative of Tennis Australia and Tennis NSW and is run through the auspices of the PSSA sports system for kids in Years 3 and 4.

“The main aim of it is to get more kids involved in tennis,” Tamworth zone coordinator Ryan Griffiths said.

This year is the first year it has been run.

“It’s based on the Hot Shots form of the game,” he said.

It is a modified version, with smaller courts, a lower net and low compression balls, which don’t bounce as much.

The players form teams and play boys singles, girls singles and then mixed doubles, with the winning team from the various “zone days” progressing through to the play-offs in Sydney in November.

Kootingal and Tamworth Public both entered five teams in the Tamworth zone day and Tamworth South two, with a Kooty team named champions.

“We only had three schools but hopefully it will grow next year,” Griffiths said, adding that they all had a great day.