Both Dianne Sanford and Teeeny Stewart were awarded Life Memberships of the Papamoa Sports Tennis Club for their outstanding contribution and service to the club over many years. 

The proposal was put forward by Athole Herbert, himself an Life Member of the club, and the committee was quick to endorse his recommendation. Athole's proposal set out the reasons both should be awarded with life memberships with the following justification:

I have known Dianne Sanford for many years, and especially in the early years, Dianne has been one of the backbones of the Papamoa Tennis Club since when the club opened in 1999. Her work on the Committee in various roles has been outstanding over many years as well as representing the club at WBOP Tennis meetings and club days in general. Dianne is a worthy person to be given life membership.

Teeny Stuart I have also known for some years. He has served the club well as treasurer, and many of you may not know that he has also been the clubs representative on the Papamoa Tennis Charitable Trust, of which he has been treasurer and Chairman. Teeny on the Trust has been outstanding for the club and his liaison on WBOP Tennis issues has focused on what is best for the total complex at Papamoa. Behind the scenes Teeny has carried out considerable maintenance on all the courts especially the replacement of light poles, bulbs, the provision of heavy machinery to carry out this work at no cost to the club and the trust, Teeny is also a worthy recipient of life membership.

Athole Herbert QSM., JP

Life Member

DIANNE SANFORD

Dianne and her husband Brent joined the Papamoa Tennis Club when it opened in 1999.

In 2001 Dianne became the Treasurer, a position she held for two years and in 2003 changed to become the Secretary of the Club.

Dianne was a committee member from 2003 to 2007. During her time as Treasurer and then Secretary, Dianne made successful grant applications for various projects that would take the club forward, including resurfacing four courts in astrograss and lighting the, and Flexipaving another two courts. 

Dianne was also part of the committee  that negotiated a new Deed of Lease between the club, WBOP Tennis and the Council in 2006, with conditions favourable for the clubs future.

From 2003 to 2007 Dianne also organised Junior Club mornings, and managed junior interclub teams club champs.

Dianne re-joined the committee and was a committee member from 2012 until 2017. During this period Dianne was club captain from 2013 to 2016.

On Club days Dianne has always been willing to organise club draws whenever a committee member has not been present.

Dianne has made a significant contribution over the 20 years she has been a club member.

Dianne also was the club delegate to the Papamoa Sports Clubs User group for many years, and was the club's delegate to WBOP Tennis meetings. She was also organiser and captain for Friday night Ladies for some years.

Playing Achievements:

Winner - Ladies Singles 2007

Winner - Ladies Doubles 2002, 2003, 2013.

Winner - Mixed Doubles 2015

From Rob Naumann

In support of the recommendation I would like to say that in the period in which I was involved with the club leadership, Diane was a key source of knowledge of club process as well as the history of the club. She kept the club records safe and in an organisational state that allowed folk new to the club, such as myself, to understand the club culture and to be able to build on it. 

She was always ready to step in when needed and in a period in which there were few volunteers, she took on many different roles to ensure that the tasks were done. Further, she supported almost every competition by entering as a player and strongly encouraged others to step up as well. 

She (with husband Brent) have been constant supporters of the club and have played a major role in its development.

TEENY STEWART

Teeny was first asked to joint the Trust in November 2014 as Treasurer following the resignation of the previous treasurer and officially appointed in December 2014 to the Trust representing the Papamoa Tennis Club Inc. All trustees are, in accordance with the constitution, unpaid.

Teeny very quickly brought all the financial records up to date on MYOB, a computerised accounting system (at his cost) and shifted all the previous records to the new system. The financial affairs of the Trust have been kept by him in an excellent state to the present day, a period of over four and half years.

As well as keeping the records Teeny has also complied with the requirements of the Charities Commission, GST returns, Annual returns filing and presentation to the Trustees of monthly and Annual Accounts and budgets for the year ahead.

The Trust is very grateful to Teeny for the works he has carried out to reduce costs both for the Trust and the Club; supplying and laying the concrete along the spectator seats at the clubhouse, marking the dug out, compacting with his heavy machinery, and removing the soil for the club's storage shed. Teeny has also been involved with the light repairs for the Club and Trust lights, using gifted poles and lights, providing the lifting apparatus and vehicle for the repairs and provision of spare parts.

For the last two years he has been Chairman of the Trust and in that role has been a key player in negotiations with WBOP Tennis to enable the Trust to proceed forward in the best interests for both the club and WBOP Tennis and for the promotion of tennis in the Western Bay. The Papamoa Tennis Club has been very well served by Teeny and certainly deserves special recognition.