The Okotoks Tennis Club is thrilled about a new opportunity.

They'll be hosting a Tennis Alberta sanctioned provincial tournament for the first time this month. The tournament will feature the top 48, 24 girls and 24 boys, U12 players from across the province.

Kelly Read, Marketing Director for the Okotoks Tennis Club, says this is a great opportunity for exposure.

"This will be the first time that any of these players will be coming to see Okotoks, see our courts, see our community, and see how we stack up against other clubs in the province. The main thing is trying to get some recognition from other parts of the province so we can have the tournament again next year or another tournament with Tennis Alberta."

He adds he hopes this will also result in growth for their membership base. The club currently has about 250 members and has been in Okotoks for 20 years.

Read says a tournament of this scope will help introduce youth to the possibilities in tennis.

"It gives a good chance for the youth to come out and just see exactly where they stack up against other kids their age, so to be able to come and watch them and see 'wow this is the level I need to get to in order to compete if I ever want to go down that road' would be a great opportunity."

The tournament takes place May 17-20 at the outdoor tennis courts in Tower Hill.

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