Two trans-Tasman sporting test matches will be held in Wānaka next week when the Squash New Zealand masters test team plays Australia at the Wānaka Squash Club (WSC).

The tests are part of a three-match series with the third test scheduled for Invercargill.

“This may be the first-ever international sporting test matches held in Wānaka and our club is both proud and extremely excited about hosting the Australians,” WSC president Tony Johnston said.

“It’s a pretty big deal for us that’s for sure.”

Tony, who is also a masters Squash New Zealand selector and chair of Squash Otago, said that smaller two-court clubs such as Wānaka wouldn’t normally get an international squash event however the masters' tests only require two courts which put Wānaka in contention.

“The club pitched for it and we got it,” he said.

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Test series against Australia have been played regularly between the two country's masters teams since 1984. The players will all be at masters level (over 35) and divided into seven five-year age groups in both men’s and women’s making up a team of seven men and seven women.

Tony said the competition to gain a place in the team is intense with many players being former New Zealand representatives.

In preparation, WSC has installed new court lighting, repaired and sanded the floors and installed new raised seating for the umpires and referees. A temporary grandstand is also being installed.

The first test will be played on Monday (October 9) and the second test on Tuesday (October 10). Both tests begin at 2.30pm at the Wānaka Squash Club.

More information on the test series can be found here.

PHOTO: Squash New Zealand