MARLBOROUGH TENNIS CLUB 
NEWSLETTER
June 2026 Edition
PRESIDENT’S SERVE
Welcome to the latest edition of the Marlborough Tennis Club Newsletter.
The Club continues to thrive thanks to the enthusiasm and support of our members, volunteers, sponsors, and community partners.
This year brings several exciting initiatives, including our Grand Slam afternoons and planning for our historic 150th Anniversary in 2027. We encourage all members to get involved and help make these events memorable for our Club and the wider Marlborough community.
150 YEARS OF TENNIS
Planning Begins for our 150th Anniversary in 2027
In 2027, Marlborough Tennis Club, one of the oldest tennis clubs in New Zealand, will celebrate an extraordinary milestone - 150 years since the Club was established. This anniversary provides an opportunity to recognise generations of players, administrators, volunteers and supporters who have contributed to making the Club one of Marlborough’s most enduring sporting institutions.
We would like to invite members to get involved and be part of a planning committee for next year’s celebration. If this sounds like you, please email Hilary at office@marlboroughtennis.co.nz.
GRAND SLAMS!
The spirit of Roland-Garros arrived in Blenheim on Saturday, 23 May as the Marlborough Tennis Club hosted a lively French-themed tennis afternoon against Renwick Tennis Club.
The event began at 2pm with players taking part in two rounds of 50-minute doubles matches, creating a full afternoon of competitive tennis, good food and plenty of laughter. In total, nine doubles matches were played, with Marlborough narrowly defeating Renwick by 133 games to 113.
The clubhouse was transformed into a celebration of all things French. The French flag flew proudly while French love songs played throughout the afternoon, helping create a festive atmosphere both on and off the court. Players and supporters enjoyed a selection of French-inspired food and refreshments including French onion soup, cheeses and French beer.
The afternoon also included a “Best 
French Dressed” competition which added plenty of colour and humour to the occasion. New member Graham Boden (seen here with Bill and Emillion) won the men’s section, while Hannah Blakely-McWilliams and Karen Nichol shared the honours for the women’s section. Emillion Redmond presented Stephen Dempster with the winning cup during the presentations.
The event highlighted the strong relationship between the two clubs and the social side of tennis that continues to make the sport so enjoyable in the Marlborough region. Players from both clubs agreed the afternoon was a tremendous success and a fitting way to celebrate the upcoming French Open.
Coming soon:
“Wimbledon” on Saturday 18 July 2026 
● Email Hilary if you would like to take part
● Play to start at 2pm
● An English afternoon tea at 4pm provided
● Whites to be worn!
● Rapaura Tennis Club members have been invited
● Two rounds of 50 minutes (doubles)
● Prizes for best dressed
Dates for the diary: “US Open”, 5 September
“Australian Open”, 23 January 2027
PICKLEBALL
Many of you will have noticed that two 
Pickleball courts have been set up on court 16. Members are invited to book a court via “Book a Court” on the MTC website if they would like to play, the fee is $10 per hour per court. Pickleball is also now offered as an option on Sunday afternoons from 3-5 (just $2!).
Future plans: recognising that Pickleball is rapidly growing in popularity, the committee is planning to dedicate two courts on the back bay to Pickleball. The intention is that proper lines will be painted on courts 11 and 12 (this will give us four Pickleball courts). BUT the intention is always that nets will be removed when the courts are needed for tennis.
Once we have four courts at our disposal the Club is looking to dedicate one morning a week to “Social Pickleball”. This is still a little way off as the Club needs to apply for funding to properly equip and paint the lines on the two designated courts.
BUSINESS HOUSE 2026
Kindly Sponsored by ORMOND NURSERIES
The committee is delighted to announce the return of the Business House Competition. The competition will run from mid-October to mid-December and will involve eight teams in a round robin competition. It will be great to see the courts (and the bar!) busy again on Friday evenings.
This competition is primarily a fun competition and is not intended for either complete beginners or Marlborough’s top premier players. Spots in the competition are being offered to our sponsors in the first instance.
NEWS FROM TENNIS MARLBOROUGH (Formerly the Marlborough Tennis Association)
JULY
11-12 July: Marlborough Junior Open, sponsored by Pak’n Save. Entries close on 5th July. Always a great winter tournament for our juniors. Entry is via the Tennis NZ tournament website. Any questions, please email Liezell at manager@tennismarlborough.co.nz.
SEPTEMBER
14 & 16 September (Webinar), 19 & 20 September (in person at the MTC): Coaching Assistant Course. It’s a great opportunity for all coaches or aspiring coaches. The course is open to any experienced players over 15 years of age. This is the first step in becoming a qualified, registered coach with Tennis NZ. For full details contact Liezell at Tennis Marlborough.
OCTOBER
October sees the start of our summer inter-club competition. Please note that this year Tennis Marlborough is looking to run the Championship Competition over two nights. This will ensure good courts every week for all teams. The current plan is for divisions one and three to play on Monday evenings and for divisions two and four to play on Tuesday evenings.
NEWS FROM MARLBOROUGH VETERANS CLUB Don’t miss their 60th Anniversary Ball on 8th August!
This event welcomes anyone connected to tennis, members of any club and even their friends or family.
Enjoy an exceptional band! There will be some free bubbly, and canapes and dessert are included. There will be a courtesy van that will take people home to Renwick and similar areas. Secure parking is available with a car pick up time on Sunday.
