Local Legends: Trevor King - The Master of Mairtown

"Local Legends" is a web article series where Tennis NZ celebrates club workers and volunteers who dedicate considerable time and energy to their club. If you want to nominate someone, click here.

The Tennis NZ team was lucky enough to attend a club night at Mairtown Tennis Club in Whangārei, and meet the legendary Trevor “TK” King, an integral part of the club for over 60 years.

It was golden hour at Mairtown Tennis Club, a quaint five-court club nestled at the foot of the Parihaka Hills. Members slowly made their way onto the courts ahead of club night, while the delicious smell of the BBQ began to drift through the grounds. TK introduced himself to us, and as we chatted about Parihaka Hills, the natural backdrop for the club, he said: “I’ve been coming here for over 60 years, and I tell you what, I never get tired of this view.”

Before sitting down with TK to talk about his long-standing involvement with the club, we had the chance to observe him both on and off the court. On the court, he played with flair, showcasing a delicate backhand slice and exceptional movement—completely defying his age as a man in his mid-70s.

Off the court, it was his warmth and enthusiasm while welcoming a brand-new face to club night that truly highlighted why he’s referred to by fellow club members as “The Legend.”

“If it were me turning up to a new club, I’d love for someone to show me around.” TK said.

“If there’s someone new on the grounds, someone will always say hi and give them a tour. I’m a friendly sort of guy, and I want to make people feel welcome.”

TK has been with the club since he was a boy in 1956. His mum, a talented player, inspired him to give the game a go.

“My mum was a tennis champion, and I wanted to be a champion too. We’d have our tennis whites all laid out every Saturday morning. She loved coming down to watch, encourage, and support us. Right up until she passed at 94, she was still supporting me here.”

One of his earliest memories was hitting his first backhand on court four. TK pointed to the exact spot where it happened.

“I only ever used to play forehands, running around any backhand shot. Finally, I gave it a go, hit it, and that morning I raced home on my bike and excitedly told my mum, ‘Mum! Mum! I hit a backhand!’ And now, in doubles, I actually prefer to play on my backhand side.”

Despite being completely self-taught, TK excelled in competitive tennis. Growing up, he won Junior Club Champs, Northland Primary School Champs, and the Kamo High School Club Champs. His playing peak came in his mid-40s, winning the prestigious Northland Open and Closed Champs at age 44, which he described as “pretty darn cool at that age!”

As a junior, TK made it to the Auckland Junior Champs at Auckland’s Stanley Street, (back when the courts were grass) but he noticed the gap between the professionally coached players and himself. However, years later, he got his day at a big tournament—the Winestone NZ Hardcourt Championships—which attracted international players looking to break into the world rankings.

“I made it into the first round and came up against some Aussie guy. He had a big bag full of gear and all the rest of it, while I walked on with just one racket and a towel. During the match, I popped my strings, so I had to borrow my mate's racket—but I ended up beating this guy 6-1, 6-4!”

“After the match, I overheard him talking, and he said, ‘That guy never played one winner!’ He never would have heard of me in a million years. I came on with one racket and a good attitude, and that’s about it.”

Despite his competitive success, TK’s heart has always been with the club. He joined the committee in 1983, the same year the club transitioned from asphalt to astroturf. He served an incredible 40 years on the committee, also picking up the role of groundskeeper over the last few years. During that time he had also been Club Captain.

He fondly recalled working alongside longtime club president, the late Olly Batger.

“Back then, everything was on paper. She’d come in with a briefcase full of paperwork, treasury reports, the works. How she kept up with the records, I’ll never know. We renamed our annual club tournament after her, and each year, right up until her passing, she would come down and watch her own tournament. I spoke on behalf of the club at her funeral. She was a local legend for sure.”

When asked why they call him “The Legend” around here, TK chuckled.

“I’ve been around so long and can be a bit of a hard case at times. They know I've won a few titles, and at 75, I’m still going and keeping up with the young ones. And that's what keeps me young. I just love the people here—everyone's here for a good time, they’re having fun, and by crikey, I try to keep up with them, that’s for sure!”
Mairtown Tennis Club and the surrounding area hold deep sentiment for TK, who has spent his whole life enjoying this area.

“Every time I walk in here, I think, what a huge part of my life this has been.”

“When I walk out the gate and look around at the scenery, I remember as a kid spending all day up in Parihaka with my mates. So looking at those hills now, it’s just a cool scene. I think about how cool it is that I’m still going.”

Over the decades, TK has witnessed changes in the area and community, including a population boom that boosted club membership.

“At the expansion of the oil refinery at Marsden Point, in the early 1980s, we used to get massive crowds. Sometimes on club night, crowds of people were sitting, waiting for a free court. It was massive for the club, a really great scene.”

TK also made sure to acknowledge the hardworking committee and other life members, including Attila Borzsony, former club president Duncan Coutts and the late John Ross (ex NZ junior) who have contributed to the club's success.

“Attila would have come when the refinery expanded. We've been lucky to have such a strong community of people who come down each week and want to see the club succeed.”

TK’s children, unsurprisingly, also play tennis. When asked whether they had a choice in picking up the game, he laughed.

“I'd say they were destined to play... That's more accurate than forced.”

“As a little fella, my son would hang around the courts. That was when I was playing serious tennis, and he would get on court with the seniors. My daughter is very good, too—she was the Kamo High School Senior Champion from 3rd form right through.”

TK has simple advice for anyone thinking of taking up the game.

“Enjoy the game, kids. It’s a game for life. You might drift away, but if you get coaching early, you’ll eventually come back to it. And then, you’ve got a game for life. See? Look at me. An old man, still playing.”