Tauranga wil host its first Racketlon tournament this weekend.

The Racketlon Tauranga Open will be held on Saturday for singles, and Sunday for doubles.

Hosted by Devoy Squash and Gate Pa Tennis Clubs, the Racketlon sport provides fresh style of tournament according to organiser Mike Owen.

'It started here in New Zealand in about 2013 I believe. It is a tournament that plays four racket sports, table tennis, badminton, squash and tennis,” says Mike.

'Racketlon New Zealand hold anywhere from about seven to nine tournaments a year. My son and I wanted to bring one here after competing in Taupō.”

'We wanted to encourage anyone, no matter their experience, to come and give it a go. We're doing a round robin format to help this.”

'Matches are played first to 21 points in each of the sports. The winner is the one with the most points at the end.”

Mike says the idea he and his son had for the tournament was to get as many people introduced to the sport as possible.

'We've got around 17 pairs entered into the doubles already and about 20 in singles, which we're really wrapped about.”

Mike has a system where people enter the competition on their level of ability in each of the sports to help with divisions.

"I ask competitors whether they are a beginner, novice, beginner, intermediate good or an expert."

"From this, we are able to place people with other competitors who have a similar level of experience."

'Some people here are really good at one of the sports in Racketlon. The point system works in an overall tally, so if you're a novice at most of the sports, you can still win on overall points.”

Mike also suggests that there is a large variety of skill levels in the upcoming tournament.

'Out of 34 players in the doubles, 25 of them are new to Racketlon.”

'We also have an A-grade squash player and several B-grade squash players. The number one racketlon player in New Zealand is also coming along, who is also going to Europe to further his racketlon career.”

'We also have a few ex-professional squash players, it's really all levels of experience.”

Mike says that a lunch at CBK Kitchen and spot prizes will be available thanks to kind sponsors from around Tauranga.

'There's also divison prizes available.”

'On the tournmanent days, we're planning on meeting to discuss rules at 8.30am, and kick off the tournament at 9am.”

For further information or to enter the Racketlon tournament, contact Mike Owen at mikeowen827@gmail.com or 027 461 2918.

Information can also be found on the Racketlon New Zealand website, https://www.racketlonnz.club/.