NZCT Asks ’Anyone For Tennis in Paraparaumu?’

Members of the Paraparaumu Beach Tennis Club were stoked to learn they had received a grant of $40,000 from NZCT towards an LED lighting upgrade.

Funding Co-ordinator Dom Saint says, “Over the last couple of years NZCT has supported the club through partial funding for a number of projects including strengthening our fences, resurfacing our courts and most recently replacing and upgrading our lighting. NZCT's continuing support has meant that the club's core facilities are first-rate. The current lighting poles, with metal extensions, were deemed unsafe to maintain and required the hire of a cherry picker from Wellington for any repairs. Upgrading to LED lighting will greatly reduce running and maintenance costs.”

“A higher standard of facilities means that the game becomes more enjoyable for learners and we have seen our coach expand her coaching sessions and clinics for kids in the community, many of whom are not yet club members but are able to enjoy and learn the sport we love. For competitive players, the facilities have allowed for more consistent playing times with play possible in light rain. For older club members the facilities have allowed for the longevity of play that hard courts would not allow. Because the court surface is more lenient on the knees etc players are able to play for longer and maintain fitness and mobility which is a big benefit.

Our Business House weekly competition teams vie for time on the resurfaced courts in preference to the hard courts.”

“This application was for the replacement and upgrading of our lighting. The new LED lighting will not require such high poles and use much less power. Currently, the poles have extensions on them in order to provide sufficient lighting for the courts. This presents issues when a bulb needs replacing with a cherry picker large enough to access the bulbs having to be brought in, adding considerably to the cost of maintenance. The new lighting will have much lower maintenance costs, allowing the club to focus on supporting members and the wider community, especially kids, through Love Tennis days, school coaching programmes, and, in conjunction with the local council, fun tennis days for kids.”

Paraparaumu Beach Tennis Club has been on its current site for many years and has consistently maintained its membership numbers, with some young members obtaining tennis scholarships in the US and a number of players representing Tennis Central on a National level.

The focus of the club, however, is to provide facilities for the general membership and the wider community, including a current project for wheelchair tennis, as well as our ongoing programme of tennis in schools and open days.

Our regional inter-club teams have grown dramatically and cover abilities from just learning, through to junior inter-club teams, senior teams, and mixed doubles leagues. This provides competition for those who wish it and an overall higher level of tennis for members