2024 Tennis in NZ Award Recipients

Kai started the year strongly, winning three back-to-back NZ ITF singles titles. The J60 Christchurch, J60 Wellington and J100 Auckland. He also made quarterfinals of J300 in Nonthaburi, Thailand and reached a career high #145 ITF juniors. He won his first round at the J500 in Osaka and picked up two doubles titles - J200 in Sydney and J60 Wellington. He will be looking to compete in the Junior Australian Open in January, before heading to college where he has committed to Ole Miss in Mississippi.

Aishi started 2024 at a career high of #191. After moving to America to train for the first half of the year, she has returned to train in NZ and compete in Asia, claiming her first ITF titles at the J100 Kawaguchi in Japan in both singles and doubles. Other highlights include making the semifinal at the Oceania Closed J200 Championships in Sydney and quarterfinals of J200 Sydney the following week. 

This player announced herself to the world by making her first main draw at Wimbledon, going on to beat the world number 8. She won seven matches in a row at the prestigious tournament, including a win against US Open Champion and home favourite Emma Raducanu on centre court. Her quarterfinal run was the talk of the tournament, creating a buzz back home and around the world.

She was selected for the Olympics, being part of New Zealand’s first ever women’s Olympic tennis doubles team.

She backed up her breakout Wimbledon performance with another incredible run at the WTA500 event in Monterrey Mexico, making the final there, and cementing her place in the WTA top 50. The WTA honoured her as the Newcomer of the Year, and what a year to remember for her, and for New Zealand.

KP kicked off the year with an emphatic Davis Cup victory beating a player nearly 500 ranking spots above him. He went on to win M15 tournaments in the Dominican Republic and Jamaica, as well as making the final of the M25 tournament in Colombia on the clay, scoring more wins against higher ranked opponents. He has climbed over 200 ranking spots this year, settling in the world’s top 500.

The National Junior Teams Event Champion award goes to the region that accumulates the most points at the annual 12 and under, 14 and under, and 17 and under national teams events.

In 2024, Peter secured multiple titles, including the 65+ Singles and Doubles crowns at the NZ Championships, marking his 40th NZ Masters National title win. Internationally, he claimed the 65+ Doubles title at both the Oceania Championships in Melbourne and the Victorian Grass Court Championships, as well as the Queensland Masters Championships, where he also triumphed in the 65+ Mixed Doubles. Ranked 4th in the world for 65+ Doubles, Peter’s dedication and outstanding performance results make him a deserving winner.

This player has been a dedicated member of the Wheelchair Tennis community for around 8 years. Initially focused on Wheelchair Basketball, he discovered a talent for tennis, quickly developing his game. Over the past few years, He has competed in regional and national events, and in the last 12-18 months, his hard work and coaching have paid off. This year, he competed internationally at ITF Futures Events in Australia, achieving his highest ITF ranking as New Zealand's top player. His remarkable journey and commitment bring him here tonight.

This official has worked all around the world in 2024. After becoming a bronze badge official – she was selected for the Paris Olympics and so headed off to Europe for the European swing of events beforehand. Afterwards, she travelled through Asia and was selected as the Singles Final Chair Umpire for the ITF World Tennis Tour FINALS held in Chengdu China. This summer she is the Designate Chair Umpire for the NZ World Tennis Tour events, before heading to the ASB Classic as an alternative Chair Umpire and then to the Australian Open.

Josh has been dedicated to coaching for over 40 years. He has consistently demonstrated his deep commitment to the sport, positively influencing both the club and its players. He offers a wealth of experience, enthusiasm, and dedication. His long tenure as head coach at Mount Eden tennis Club has helped shape his club's identity and ensured continual development of players from grassroots to competitive levels. Tennis coaching is a massive part of his life, he’s served the sport incredibly well.

Our winner this year embodies the spirit of volunteerism through his remarkable contributions to tennis at both the club and regional levels. At Kilbirnie Tennis Club, he wears many hats, serving as Treasurer, Coaching Manager, Facilities Manager, Website Editor, Junior Convenor, Grants Manager, Tournament Organiser, and more.

Regionally, he excelled as Volunteer Manager for the Armstrong's Wellington Open, recruiting over 50 volunteers, ensuring a smooth delivery of this event. His passion and selfless service make him a deserving candidate for Volunteer of the Year.

This club has demonstrated excellence in building a welcoming and inclusive environment for players of all levels and ages. Over the past five years they’ve increased junior membership by over 400% using the Hot Shots programme, they’ve gone from 4 to 17 committee members, and grown from 48 to over 250 members. They ensure they’re in service to their community by providing cheap and assessable casual court usage, introducing electronic gate access to monitor activity. 

This club has been running a scholarship scheme for three years. The scheme has been supporting children and young people from lower socio-economic backgrounds, funding them to take up tennis. The club offers three scholarships annually, including two years of free membership, coaching, a tennis racquet and shoes if needed.
Additionally, the club provides free coaching for up to five local schools each year, fostering a love for tennis in the community. Funded by a dedicated benefactor fund supported by club members, this initiative showcases the club's commitment to inclusivity and inspiring the next generation of players.

This club proves old dogs can learn new tricks. As one of New Zealand’s oldest clubs, celebrating 140 years in 2024, it was the first club in New Zealand to adopt the new Igloo Padlock, tripling casual player income.
The club also moved to ClubSpark for seamless membership, payments, and bookings, both freeing up volunteer time, and enhancing the user experience.
They also recognised the need to update their logo, with one that balanced staying true to the history of the club, while also appealing to younger generations. Along with a dynamic social media presence, this club shows how embracing new technology can modernize operations and set the club up for future success.

This club saw over 200 new faces through the door on Love Tennis day. They managed to sign up a whopping 70 new members, with a clear plan of ongoing rostered events for these new members to take part in. The club approached the local schools and marae to ensure the event was well promoted within many different communities. Clubs like this that embrace and cater to beginners and new members is what Love Tennis is all about.

This association is leading the way in growing tennis through collaboration, innovation, and community engagement. They have been active promotors of Tennis NZ initiatives like ClubSpark and Love Tennis, securing two major sponsors for the 2025 Love Tennis already. As well as running an impactful school program that introduces new players to the sport with coaching and equipment provided through successful funding applications. This region rolled out the red carpet when we hosted the Davis Cup there in September as well.

We acknowledge the service of Rubin Statham to New Zealand’s Davis Cup Team. Rubin is the most capped Davis Cup player for New Zealand and has the most wins for the NZ Davis Cup team with 29. From his first call up to the team in 2005, he has had many memorable moments for the team, including a victory over former world #19 Pablo Cuevas in 2022, clinching that tie for NZ against Uruguay.

He’s won comfortably, he’s won some gutsy five setters, (back when the matches were five sets,) and has been instrumental for the team over the past two decades.

At the last Davis Cup tie in Palmerston North, Rubin confirmed it would be his last tie for the team. We want to thank Rubin for his service to the NZ Davis Cup team, we know it means a lot to him to be able to represent his country for as long as he did.

This Award recognises the J100 Auckland tournament as the recipient of the Longevity Award as part of the ITF Tournament Recognition Programme. Celebrating over 25 years of hosting on the ITF World Tennis Tour Junior calendar.

After her maiden US Open victory, there were some decent expectations on this player’s 2024, which she absolutely blew out of the water. She won the WTA 250 title in Nottingham, her maiden WTA 1000 title in Cincinnati, and capped the year off winning the big one, rising above the year’s very best at the WTA Finals in Riyadh.

She made finals in Miami, Rome, Wimbledon, Eastbourne and Toronto, and became the first New Zealander to hold the coveted doubles world number 1 ranking. She was selected for the Olympics, as part of New Zealand’s first ever Womens Olympic tennis doubles team.
Along with Canadian doubles partner Gaby Dabrowski, Erin has had an unforgettable year.

Marilyn was a prominent leader of New Zealand Wheelchair Tennis. In its formative decades, she was a leading player, representing New Zealand at the Atlanta Paralympic Games in 1996, and twice winning the New Zealand Open.

Her service to the sport of Tennis is exemplified by her administrative leadership over 30 years, with 15 of those years as president of the organisation from 1994. In her role as President, Marilyn led the development of wheelchair tennis throughout other centres in New Zealand thereby extending the base outside Christchurch. Her services culminated in securing the hosting in Christchurch of the World Championships in 2004.

Marilyn led the organisation from its small beginnings, helping to establish New Zealand Wheelchair Tennis on the world stage.

 

Tiffiney has been a mainstay of New Zealand Wheelchair Tennis over two decades. She was a highly successful player, representing New Zealand in World Team Cup events and in the Paralympics in 2004, and has played in many ITF international events over a 20 year international playing career from 1999 to 2019.

Her service to New Zealand Wheelchair Tennis commenced in 2006 when she became secretary of the organisation, a role which she still holds. This volunteer role requires an extensive dedication of time in carrying out the secretarial administrative work for New Zealand Wheelchair Tennis as well as the organisation of tournaments, and the constant search for funding. Her dedication, experience and her enthusiasm has greatly enhanced the development of the sport of Wheelchair Tennis in New Zealand.

Peter has served the sport as a leading administrator over some four decades to date. He has given many years of service to the Karori United Tennis Club since 1983, but it is his service at a high provincial level in which Peter has been a leader of the sport for over 15 years. He joined the Board of the Wellington Tennis Association in 1993, becoming Chairman in 2007. Peter also provided service to the larger regional body in various roles, being active in the constitutional restructuring process and being on the Board Appointment Panel for 12 years. He was made a Life Member of the Karori United Tennis Club in 2023.

Geoff is a leader of the sport both extensively in the Bay of Plenty area, and the development and promotion of Māori Tennis. He began his service to the sport in 1995, organizing the Aotearoa Māori Tennis Championships in Rotorua through Tarewa Tennis Club and later coordinating inter-marae tennis for Te Arawa / Te Papatakaro.

In 2006, Geoff joined the Rotorua Tennis Club committee and became president in 2009, a role he still holds. He has served as tournament controller for various events, including the Police Tennis Championships since 2019. He served on the Tennis Waikato Bays board from 2016 to 2020.

Nationally, Geoff has been an Executive Committee Member of the Aotearoa Māori Tennis Association since 2005, promoting and developing Māori tennis. As Assistant Treasurer since 2014, he played a key role in securing the Rangapū Partnership Agreement with Tennis New Zealand in 2018.

David has provided service to the sport of Tennis in New Zealand at a high regional and national level for over 40 years.

David joined the Wellington Tennis Association Management Committee in 1980, serving four years initially and then from 1992 to 2002 as Chair and/or Secretary. In 2002, he was elected to the Tennis New Zealand Board, serving for 12 years, including six as Chair (2007–2013). After stepping down, he returned in 2015 to the Wellington Tennis Incorporated Board, where he continues to serve as Chair.

David also had a successful career as a tennis player, winning many titles including the National Singles title in 1977 and later served as a manager for the Wellington team in Wilding Shield and Men's National League competition. David has also provided loyal service at Club level over the past five decades.

David has excelled in sports administration for decades, making a significant impact on tennis in New Zealand as a Board Member of the New Zealand Lawn Tennis Association (now Tennis New Zealand) from 1985. He served as Deputy Chairman and Chairman (1999–2001) before becoming COO and later Director General of WADA, a role he held for 13 years from 2003.

David’s skills as a leading sports lawyer served greatly to lead the advancement of the sport through the 1980’s and 1990’s.

Peter has dedicated over 50 years to tennis, including a 40-year interclub career and 20 years as a committee member and officer starting at age 15. He officiated at ITF tournaments for two decades, served 14 years on the New Zealand Tennis Umpires Association Board, and is an Honorary Life Member.

Elected to the Canterbury Tennis Incorporated Board in 1998, Peter served for 20 years, some as Chair and Deputy Chair. After the Canterbury Earthquakes, he played a key role in rebuilding the region's tennis operations and restoring Wilding Park as an international tennis venue.
In 2017 Peter was elected to the Board of Tennis New Zealand and served a total of 6 years, including the role of Deputy Chair of the Board in 2023.

Peter is an Honorary Life Member of Canterbury Tennis Region and was Honorary Vice-President of Tennis New Zealand in the 2006-2007 year.