Some of the biggest wins happen off the court!

Change isn’t always easy, but sometimes, it can be a real opportunity to bring a community together. The introduction of the new Incorporated Societies Act has required clubs and organisations across Aotearoa to review how they operate and ensure they’re set up for the future. For the tennis community, this was a significant moment - and one we can proudly say we collectively tackled head-on.

Tennis NZ recognised early that navigating the new requirements might be daunting for many clubs and centres, particularly those run by dedicated volunteers. Rather than leaving organisations to figure it out alone, Tennis NZ worked closely with Regions (RTOs) to provide clear guidance, practical tools and hands-on support every step of the way. From tailored resources and templates to workshops and webinars, direct conversations and one-on-one assistance, the focus was making the process as smooth, accessible and stress-free as possible.

With an incredible 99% success rate across the tennis community, our results are truly worth celebrating. It reflects not only the commitment of our clubs and administrators, but also the collective strength of a sport that looks after its own. These strong modern governance foundations will support tennis into the future.

As with any large‑scale change, a small number of clubs are still on the journey and may not yet fully meet the requirements of the Act or Tennis NZ. Tennis NZ will be working closely with each RTO to connect with these clubs and provide the support needed to help them tidy things up.

This achievement is a reminder that while tennis is played on the court, some of our biggest wins happen behind the scenes.

To every part of the network, RTOs, LTPs, clubs, volunteers and administrators who engaged with the process – a heartfelt thank you. And to everyone who helped support and guide the journey, your dedication to our sport is deeply appreciated.

Here’s to a strong, connected and future-ready tennis community!