Next generation required for tennis club
STEPPING UP: Whanganui tennis needs more youngsters like WHS student Sam Russell to fill the shoes of talented players who have moved on.
It is next step: the future, for the Wanganui Tennis Club as the 2017-18 season begins with an open day this morning, ahead of the annual St John's Club junior tournament next Saturday.
Today's family open day begins at 11am, and will include a 12.30pm exhibition match, while there will be competitions before and after the game for guests and members.
It is BYO for lunch, but the day will conclude with a light meal in the club lounge including ham on the bone, rolls and salads.
In changes made at the Basset St courts, nationally top 5-ranked women's player Leela Beattie will take over as the head and, currently, the only coach - although the 23-year-old is hopeful others will come on board to give assistance as the summer progresses.
Trish Biddle-Amoroa will take over as the new chairwoman of the junior committee.
Among Beattie's roles will be organising a holiday coaching programme from October 9-13, as the club looks to scout and recruit more young players over the summer months.
"I just obviously want to build it up and get them playing good tennis," said Beattie.
"I just to want to get the kids to improve to play more tournaments.
"At the moment, we don't have many; they're not up to that standard."
After five glorious summers in both junior and senior representative tennis, Beattie agreed Whanganui is now having to address the end of an era as the "once in a generation" extended family of the talented Butters clan have aged-out of the local scene.
Cousins Paige Hourigan and Kyle Butters (former WHS student) followed their parents, aunts and uncles into the sport and became world-ranked juniors, now doing well in the United States college system.
WHS student Rebekah Butters-Chamberlain and Paris Butters (former WHS student) - with Paris having carried the torch for the last two seasons - are also starting out on their journey's away from home.
The teenagers presence helped Wanganui to junior representative success, multiple Christie Cup defences and ensured several Wanganui Open titles remained at home instead of departing to New Plymouth, Palmerston North or Wellington.
"It's really noticeable with Paris leaving," said Beattie.
"It's not just Whanganui - the whole of New Zealand is a little bit behind.
"Building from the ground up, juniors are hard to come by."
Beattie wants to work with the young players coming through to improve their games so they can feel confident playing visitors or outside of the district - developing strong serves and keeping their heads through multiple matches in a weekend.
It is youngsters that fill the gaps in the Whanganui Christie Cup team, as after narrowly losing the crown to Manawatu in March when in sight of a record fifth consecutive summer as holders, they hope to win it back this December when the aforementioned family members are home for the holidays.
"I definitely think Whanganui always brings some good players, so we could definitely win again," said Beattie.
As well as the juniors, Beattie will also be running a Tennis Fit programme and adult coaching lessons.
Tennis is free at the courts in October.
Next weekend will be the junior tournament with the St John's club coming on board as naming sponsor, replacing Slazenger.
The tournament starts on Saturday and concludes on Tuesday with multiple age grades for singles and doubles.
Club member Neville Hopkins said entries and seedings will be confirmed next week, with registration on the Wanganui Tennis Club website.
"There's [also] an open event for adults or anyone to enter," said Hopkins.
"We know some of the coaches are entering so they'll be some good very talent for that."
The open tournaments for singles and doubles will be played on the Saturday and Sunday.
By Jared Smith
Wanganui Chronicle 23/9/17