Tennis helping tennis

More than two months have passed since Cyclone Gabrielle devastated parts of New Zealand, but the clean up and recovery effort on the ground continues and tennis clubs around the country are still doing their bit to help.

Hawke’s Bay Lawn Tennis & Squash Club is hosting a region-wide cyclone relief doubles tennis tournament today (April 29), with all the proceeds going to the Hawke’s Bay Disaster Relief Fund and Waipawa Tennis Club, to support the rebuilding of their astroturf courts that were destroyed during the storm.

There are silent and live auctions, raffles, and kids entertainment.

One of the event organisers, Stacey Margerison, from Greendale Tennis Club, said the fundraising tournament is a collaborative effort from all the clubs of the region.

“We just thought it would be a nice chance to connect as Hawke’s Bay tennis,” she said.

“Getting all the clubs behind it, just getting the tennis community together as one after the cyclone.”

Stacey said the wider Hawke’s Bay community has really got in behind the event, there have been a lot of generous donations, and the tournament has taken off and is “just bigger than we ever thought”.

There are 106 players taking part, meaning more than $2000 has been raised already through entry fees.

There are also plenty of big items to auction off, including a heat pump and a couple of One NZ prize packs. 

Stacey said they are hoping to raise between $6000-$10,000 by the end of the day.

Similar fundraising tennis tournaments and events have been held all around the country over the past couple of months.

South Brighton Tennis Club in Christchurch hosted a social “Wooden and Whites” fundraising tournament in March.

“We appreciate everyone's donation to this cause. We have raised a substantial amount of money which will be finding its way to Hawke’s Bay tennis clubs for a pick me up,” the club said following the event.

Howick Tennis Club in Auckland also hosted a fundraising tournament, with players from the nearby Koru and Pakuranga clubs also getting in on the action, together raising more than $3000 for Waipawa Tennis Club.

There were raffles for items donated by club members, as well as generous donations from local tennis supporters.

Tennis clothing signed by current world number 13 Cameron Norrie, who grew up locally and attended Macleans College, was also sold at auction.

Upper Hutt Tennis Club also held a Waipawa relief tournament, and there have been many more fundraisers and events around New Zealand.

Also inspired by the South Brighton Tennis Club fundraising achievement back in March, the Avonhead Tennis Club in Christchurch dedicated a recent Midweek Club Day and Senior Club Day to raise funds for clubs effected in the North Island.

Every little bit helps, and members were keen to support the Tennis clubs who suffered from the flood damage.

$2,000 was raised through entry fees, fun activities, raffles, and auctions, capped off with a social BBQ and prizes.

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The tennis community has come together to help each other. Tennis helping tennis.

Tennis New Zealand has created a Givealittle page so people can continue to chip in to help tennis clubs with the repair of their tennis courts and clubhouses following Cyclone Gabrielle and the earlier Auckland floods.