Tennis: All set for Janet Agnew Carnival

Janet Agnew has been preparing for the Janet Agnew Carnival Doubles Tournament. Photo/Michael Cunningham

Preparations for this weekend's Janet Agnew Carnival Doubles Tournament are almost complete.

Tennis Northland's Charles Adler said the tournament was pretty much ready to go.

"Preparations are coming along nicely. We hope to get up around 100 entries again this
year which is on a par with previous years," he said.

"The courts are in excellent condition with the six plexipave courts which were resurfaced last year looking a picture."Recent working bees have enhanced the look of Thomas Neale Park as we approach the Tennis Seniors National Teams Tournament at Easter."

Competitors are not just from Northland, with the top seeds in the ladies division coming from Auckland.

"Top seeds in the ladies doubles on Saturday are Craigie McCulloch and Paula Stubbing from Auckland," Adler said.

"Top seeds in the men will be the combination of Jono Ussher and Terry Mitchell
And Mike Barry who plays with Mike Clapshaw. The weather forecast is great so we are expecting an excellent weekend of tennis."

The Janet Agnew Carnival Doubles Tournament is entering its 31st year, running since 1987.

Janet Agnew said the prizes all look exciting, but the event could not be possible without the sponsors.

"All players are eligible to win a trip for two staying at the Copthorne Hotel and Resort Bay of Islands with a trip for two on the Cape Brett Hole in the Rock Cruise from Fuller's Bay of Islands," she said.

"I would personally like to thank the many sponsors that have supported the tournament some of them have supported the tournament for over 20 years like Graham Johnson Jewels and Time Kamo, McCoy and Thomas, Kamo Hammer Hardware, Dudley Dennis Signs and Sali Marinkovic Travel Advisor Barrells 100-% Kensington Fitness, Lion Breweries, Cowley's Hire Centre, Fuller's Great Sights Millennium Hotels and Resorts and More Fm."

The men's and women's A and B grade doubles begin tomorrow at 8:30am, with mixed A and B grade doubles starting on Sunday at 9am.

Entries will be accepted tomorrow and up until 1pm for mixed doubles on Sunday.