Chris Raynes – New Zealand Sports Technology Pioneer Retires

After over 20 years of service to tennis in New Zealand, Chris Raynes has retired from his role in the technology space at Tennis New Zealand.

Chris Raynes, or “Raynsey” has had a significant impact on tennis across his long tenure. A true pioneer in the technology space, he drove the development and support of MatchHub, a bespoke tournament/interclub software programme used by thousands of New Zealand tennis players across the years.

MatchHub (formerly known as Top Dog & Configure Rankings) was a revolutionary product for its time, complete with a custom grading system that set a new standard for how sport was graded in New Zealand.

Chris reflected on his own journey, and remembered where it all began:

“My first meeting with Tennis NZ was at the Heineken Open 2004 when a 17-year-old Rafael Nadal also burst onto Stanley Street. A memorable day as Rafa then made it all the way to his first ATP final. That meeting was the trigger for the development of the Top Dog grading and interclub system which was launched in 2005. One of the first competition systems to be fully web-based and was soon universally adopted by Associations across the Country.

There were obviously some rumblings, like with entrusting captains with entering their results online. However the system evolved continuously to include functions for venue scheduling, singles box leagues, masters points races, etc. Now after 20 years, several brand changes, over 2 million matches and zillions of webpage views, MatchHub even just outlasted Rafa.”

While the exact number will remain a mystery, Chris would have fielded a staggering amount of phone calls and messages from keen interclub tennis players, club captains and administrators, he handled them all with his trademark kindness, patience and expertise.

MatchHub grew into a behemoth of a system, all diligently maintained and updated by Chris the background. When the time came, he was a big part of the process to replace Tennis New Zealand’s competition management software, as he continued to ensure as smooth a transition as possible to the new system.

Raynsey also has an alter-ego: “The Ump” who is the mastermind behind another bespoke product enjoyed by hundreds of keen tennis players each year: The Tennis New Zealand Grand Slam Picking Games. A completely free prediction game each Grand Slam, spurring endless tennis conversations across workplaces and friend groups up and down the country.

The Ump has overseen 35 Grand Slams in his time, however rumour has it that while Chris is retiring, The Ump may still surface during future Grand Slam seasons…

Tennis New Zealand CEO Julie Paterson acknowledged his significant contribution to the sport across his career:

“Chris has been a much loved staff member for many years. Tennis New Zealand and the tennis community have been so lucky to have his expertise for this long, and he can be incredibly proud of his legacy. We wish him very well in his retirement.”

Through his ongoing warmth with all he dealt with, and true passion for furthering the game he loves, many in the tennis community have come to admire Chris. We all wish him well in his retirement, as he gets more time to play tennis and less dealing with administration issues!

Thank you Raynsey!