Craig Welsh

Ngaire Calder

Hello, my name is Ngaire, and I am a semi-retired tennis coach. My tennis journey began at Paroa Tennis Club on the West Coast when I was eight years old. Inspired by many supportive club members, I developed a passion for the sport that brought me great enjoyment and led to opportunities to compete at both regional and national levels.

After completing careers in nursing and banking and raising my family, my love of tennis drew me back to the game through coaching. In 2006, I gained my Club Professional qualification and have since spent nearly 20 years sharing my knowledge and passion for tennis with players of all ages throughout the Nelson region.

I am excited about the opportunity to bring my experience, knowledge, and long-standing commitment to the sport to the NBTA Board and contribute to the continued growth and development of tennis in our community.

Ruth Seeman

I have been involved in tennis and sport for more than five decades as a player, representative athlete, coach, health professional and volunteer. My experience spans grassroots participation, high-performance competition, athlete development and community sport.

My tennis journey began in Lower Hutt, where I first learned the game on my primary school's courts. After my family moved to Dunedin, I developed my skills under coach Don Brooks and became deeply involved in the Otago tennis community. At just 13 years of age, I topped the Otago women's ladder and was subsequently granted the opportunity to compete on the men's ladder and in men's interclub competition—an uncommon achievement at the time.

Following a successful junior career, I represented New Zealand Universities at the 1983 World University Games in Edmonton, Canada, while completing a Bachelor of Physical Education at the University of Otago. Inspired to pursue tennis at the highest level, I embarked on a professional playing career that spanned much of the 1980s.

From 1985 to 1990, I competed internationally on the professional circuit, achieving a career-high WTA ranking of 208 and maintaining a world ranking between 208 and 280. During this period, I represented New Zealand in the Federation Cup in 1986 and 1989, competed in Grand Slam qualifying events including Wimbledon, the French Open and the Australian Open, and played professionally in Germany's national league system with Tennis Club Riemerling. I also competed extensively in France and throughout Europe, winning a WTA tournament in Milan in 1989 and reaching two further Singles WTA finals in the United States.

After returning to New Zealand, I combined my passion for sport with a career in health and education. I completed a Physiotherapy degree in 1994 and worked for many years in Christchurch as a physiotherapist. Later, I completed a Postgraduate Diploma in Teaching and Learning, specialising in Health and Physical Education.

I have remained actively involved in sport through both participation and service. I supported the sporting development of my children, including following and providing physiotherapy support throughout my daughter's international volleyball and beach volleyball career, representing New Zealand. I continue to compete in tennis, representing Hope Tennis Club and participating in national age-group events, where I have won national age group 60+ titles in recent years.

Having benefited throughout my life from the dedication of tennis administrators, volunteers and officials, I am passionate about contributing to the future of the sport and helping create opportunities for players of all ages and abilities to participate, develop and enjoy tennis.