Belmont Park Racquets Club, at 135 Bayswater Avenue in Bayswater, Auckland, is a family tennis and squash club built around social play as much as competition. The social calendar includes Sunday mixed doubles, Monday men's and Tuesday women's nights, and Ladies' Wednesday mornings. Players are matched with others of similar ability at the Sunday doubles, which starts at 3pm in summer and 2pm in winter. Squash members have club days at weekends. There are junior programmes for tennis and squash, which the club says are included in membership, and adult classes for all abilities. Coaching is provided by a former New Zealand No.1 for tennis and by a squash coach. Bookings are made online, with payment by most major credit cards, and a PIN is sent for entry.
Customers describe the club as friendly, and one former member says it was good for families, with interclub teams and a strong community. Another calls it a friendly group of players and a good venue. One visitor found the court lights dim, and says car parking was under renovation, so they had to park up the road. We hear the car park is under renovation, so allow for a walk from the road. The bar was closed on one visit, and visiting players brought their own drinks. Our pick in Bayswater for social tennis and junior programmes.