Te Awamutu Tennis Club’s John Robinson was named Administrator of the Year at the Waikato Tennis Trust’s 2022/23 awards.
The accolade, club captain John says, was a “bit of a surprise” and one which caps a rather impressive run of success of late.
“…it’s not just me,” he said. “There are many other wonderful people at the club who contribute to the success of the programmes here.”
The tennis calendar typically runs from October to March-April.
The accolade last week came after the Friday night interclub team John was part of last season – and featured Leo Stokes, Hayden Fladgate, James Barton and Max Robinson – won its division two Waikato/Thames Valley competition.
“We timed our run well there actually,” John told The News. “We were sitting in either third and fourth, then we made it into the final all of sudden and went on to beat a team which – up until that point – had been unbeaten all season.”
John Robinson.
On the tennis club committee for the last five years – and club captain for three – John said his work involves organising and stewarding the club’s junior programme.
The are about 60 junior players, most aged seven to 15, at the club. Adults included, more than 100 players make use of the club facilities at the height of the tennis season
“Personally, I love the competition side of tennis, and in terms of the junior programme I think it’s fantastic seeing the younger players improving so much simply because they love playing,” he said.
Ahead of the 2023 season getting underway, a Saturday open day at the club is planned for September 23.
A coaching programme – which has received support from the Grassroots Trust – also runs on Monday nights.
