National Volunteer Week: Celebrating Tennis Volunteers

This week is National Volunteer Week, and is a great chance to showcase just a few of the many incredible volunteers throughout the tennis community in Aotearoa.

Tennis simply wouldn't function the way it does without the thousands of volunteers who volunteer their time, expertise and passion for the sport for the betterment of their tennis communities.

While we have highlighted just a few volunteers from around NZ below, we appreciate the many more who are not featured here in this article.


Kerie Smith



Kerie in Marlborough totally embodies the volunteer spirit. Since joining Tennis Marlborough as Treasurer in 2022, she's done it all - from redesigning marketing materials and creating a new logo, to running tournaments, securing grants, handling IT, and even stepping in as volunteer administrator for an entire year!


Brendan Kay



As Junior Convener at Beerescourt Tennis Club and a driving force behind junior tennis initiatives, Brendan dedicates countless hours to organising competitions, running Winter Hits sessions, managing teams, and supporting young players both on and off the court.

Whether he's helping his club, coordinating opportunities for juniors, or travelling as a team manager, Brendan's reliability, generosity, and can-do attitude help create positive experiences for young tennis players across the region.


Adam Shelton



we acknowledge Tennis Capital-Coast Volunteer of the Year, Adam Shelton! 

Adam has had an extraordinary impact on tennis in his community through his leadership, vision, and dedication, taking on workloads that would normally be spread across an entire team.

From organising competitions, coaching players, and supporting club operations, to leading major club development projects including solar power and court-lighting upgrades, Adam has helped create a stronger future for tennis at his club.

He contributes around 30 volunteer hours each week in summer to help the game thrive.


Annalie Marshall

Annalie is a passionate young tennis volunteer dedicated to making the sport more welcoming and inclusive for young people in Christchurch.

Through her leadership at Opawa Tennis Club's Love Tennis events and her work with the Tennis NZ Youth Network Group, she helps connect, empower, and elevate the voices of young people, ensuring they feel a sense of belonging in tennis.

Thank you, Annalie, for helping create a brighter future for our sport.

Greg Lim

Greg Lim is a true champion of community tennis, whose impact at Ngatira Tennis Club extends far beyond his time as a dedicated president and ongoing committee member.

Above all, Greg’s passion for inclusion stands out. Over the past three and a half years, he has created and grown a tennis programme for the Blind & Low Vision community, opening up opportunities for players with sight impairments to experience the joy of the game. Not stopping there, he has also introduced a programme for autistic children, providing a safe, welcoming environment for participants and their families.

These programmes have flourished, bringing people together not just for tennis, but for connection during the post session shared lunches that build lasting community bonds. 

Greg’s commitment, compassion, and drive to make tennis accessible to all make him an outstanding volunteer and a hugely valued member of the tennis community.


Carol Crowley 

Carol Crowley has been a driving force behind Kamo Tennis Club for more than two decades, serving as Treasurer and wearing countless other hats along the way.

Known for her quiet dedication and humble nature, Carol has helped the club grow from a small membership base into the thriving, family-focused community it is today. She believes volunteers are the heart of every club, bringing the ideas, energy, and commitment needed to help the sport flourish.

Whether supporting members, welcoming new families, or helping guide the club through major milestones, Carol's passion for tennis and her community continues to make a lasting impact. Thank you, Carol, for everything you do.