Wheelchair Tennis

From a Have-a-Go Day to Finding His Place

What started as a single Wheelchair Tennis Have-a-Go Day has quickly become a passion for young player Dilan.

Dilan first picked up a tennis racquet at a Have-a-Go Day hosted at Pāpāmoa Tennis Centre in February 2026. Attending with his mum, Jess, he immediately showed a natural enthusiasm for the sport, with his determination and willingness to give anything a go standing out from the start.

The event also introduced Dilan to Sam Collins, New Zealand-born coach and current National Wheelchair Tennis Coach for Ireland, whose encouragement helped spark Dilan's growing interest in wheelchair tennis.

Since then, Tennis New Zealand has supported Dilan's development by helping fund coaching, equipment, and a club membership. This support has enabled him to access regular tennis opportunities at Ōtūmoetai Tennis Club, where he now works with coach Kelly Hubert through a combination of one-on-one and group coaching sessions.

For Jess, finding the right activity for Dilan hasn't always been easy.

"It can be hard to find something he genuinely enjoys between appointments, school, and everything else that's going on," she says.

Tennis, however, has been different.

At Ōtūmoetai Tennis Club, Dilan has found more than just a place to play. He's built friendships, grown in confidence, and become part of a welcoming and inclusive community that supports him both on and off the court.

"I've never seen him so passionate about a sport," says Jess. "He gets really disappointed when sessions are cancelled because of the rain. When he's not at the court, he's out the front of the house hitting balls against the wall."

What started as a single Have-a-Go Day has become a meaningful part of Dilan's weekly routine and a sport he truly loves. His journey highlights the powerful impact that accessible and inclusive opportunities can have when the right support is in place.

Dilan's story also reflects the direction Tennis New Zealand is working towards. Through coach education, club support, equipment initiatives, Have-a-Go Days, and player development opportunities, Tennis New Zealand is committed to creating more pathways into wheelchair tennis and helping more players discover a lifelong connection to the sport.

As part of our work to strengthen the wheelchair tennis pathway, Tennis NZ has been trialling Have‑a‑Go sessions across the North Island, including Auckland, Hamilton, and Papamoa.

These free sessions are designed to offer an easy starting point for anyone new to wheelchair tennis, as well as for those returning to the sport. They bring people together for an enjoyable day alongside whānau, combining supported coaching, opportunities to connect, and plenty of time on court. A typical session includes coaching in the morning, shared lunch, and an afternoon of social match play and round‑robin games.

All equipment and spare chairs are provided. 

Tennis NZ supports the development of wheelchair tennis across all stages — from first involvement through to national and international competition.

Get in touch with Tennis NZ

Wheelchair Tennis began in the winter of 1979 when we all got together at the tennis courts in Hagley Park, Christchurch.

Ross Burgess, who had played it in Australia, and Graham Dorner, a coach who had trialed it in the UK, rounded up the Parafed members to get on court – and suddenly we were all hooked.

The first meeting was held at Ross’ place to form the first committee: Graham, Wayne Fleming, Sue Quirk, Phil Humphries and Shirley Smith.

Ross was voted president and Shirley became our secretary, co-ordinator of tournaments and players, manager, motivator, fundraiser and organiser. She was irreplaceable over the next five years.

Over the next few years, we employed other workers: Arron Joy, Joy McManaway, Linda Wood and Amanda Hill. Sue Quirk was invaluable also as an organiser and player.

Some of the highlights from those first 20 years when wheelchair tennis was hosted by Christchurch were Saturdays and Sundays at Ouruhia Domain playing in the sun and cold having lots of laughs and fun. There was barbecues and birds chirping. We had great comradeship and competitiveness.

Shirley organised a huge trip for 11 of us to the 10th Japan Open.

The first New Zealand Open was held in January 1990 and we never looked back. It just got bigger and bigger. Christchurch was on the South Pacific Tour starting in Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne and then Christchurch. Then it got serious – with ranking points driving us forward. The International Tennis Federation persuaded us to upgrade the tournament ranking and prize money.

This was the committee’s most pressing pastime – putting in funding applications and waiting anxiously for replies, but we always made it with the dedication of our workers.

The next project was sending players to the Paralympics.

New Zealand was a regular participant in World Team Cups (WTC) under coach Chris Anderson. This travel gave players exposure and experience, and valuable ranking points playing in two tournaments before the WTC. In 2004 the WTC was held in Christchurch. This was organised with the expertise of Canterbury Tennis, bidding, financing, administering and running the event. It was definitely up there with the best team events ever.

New Zealand was a very regular participant in World Team Cups as playing in the two tournaments prior to these events gave our players exposure and experience against the overseas cousins and valuable ranking points for us poor cousins.

Tournaments with international ranking points were run from Christchurch twice a year, Auckland (ITF Futures ranking) and Hamilton (ITF 3).

After 20 years of NZWT being run from Christchurch under Ross Burgess (president for five years) and Marilyn Stratford (15 years), it was time for a new committee to hand over the reins to Tiffiney Perry from Hamilton where it has had its office since 2009.

Wheelchair tennis is open to people with a permanent physical disability affecting the lower limbs. You don’t need to have played tennis before to get started.

No. Many programmes and activations have equipment available to help people try the sport for the first time. Tennis NZ and regional partners can help connect you with the right opportunities and equipment support.

No classification is required to try wheelchair tennis or take part in community and club‑based sessions.

Yes. Wheelchair tennis is played at many levels across Aotearoa – from introductory and social sessions through to competitive pathways. You can choose how and where you’d like to be involved.

Yes. Tennis NZ works with clubs, coaches, and regional associations to support inclusive programme delivery. Coaching education, resources, and guidance are available to help create welcoming wheelchair tennis opportunities.

Whether you want to play, support someone else, coach, volunteer, or learn more, Tennis NZ can help connect you with opportunities in your area.