Pakuranga Tennis Club has been awarded the Tennis Auckland, Club Marketing Promotion & Membership Award 2023 at a special gala dinner held to celebrate 100 years of the Stanley Street Tennis Centre in Auckland.
The recent dinner evening commenced with a powhiri and karakia by a representative from iwi Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei who gifted the land at Stanley Street.
A highlight was the Q&A panel with New Zealand tennis legends Chris Lewis, Julie Richardson, Brett Steven, Brenda Perry, Marcus Daniell and Graham Pearce.
Lewis described Stanley Street in three profound words – New Zealand’s Wimbledon.
Pakuranga Tennis’s award was made in recognition of the club’s participation last year in a national promotion entitled ‘Love Tennis’, an effort that secured 84 new members.
The organisers Jane Wilsher and junior convenor Michelle Savusa accepted the award on behalf of the club.
“It was such an honour to be recognised for all the hard work put into running the event with the invaluable assistance of a large number of volunteers from our club,” Wilsher said.
‘Love Tennis’ is on again at Pakuranga Tennis this year and will feature free coaching on the day for seniors and juniors (racquets provided), fun games, giveaways, raffles, a free sausage sizzle and activities for kids.
A major attraction will be the ability to enter a lucky draw for an all-inclusive tennis package to the Australian Open Grand Slam tennis tournament in Melbourne in January 2024.
New members joining Pakuranga Tennis receive six group tennis lessons free for seniors and free coaching on Saturday mornings in Terms 1 and 4 for juniors.
Everyone who joins the club on the ‘Love Tennis’ day will receive a free can of tennis balls and go into the draw for a Babolat tennis racquet and accessories package.
‘Love Tennis’ is free to all and is being held at Pakuranga Tennis Club, 101 Pigeon Mountain Rd from 10am to 4pm on Sunday, September 10.
