We are the land of the rising Sun! No, I'm not talking about Japan, or that the winter solstice has passed and the days are getting longer again. I'm talking about New Zealand, and the meteoric rise of Lulu Sun! More about Lulu below, first though here's what's ahead at the Taieri Tennis Club (and feel free to mark the relevant dates to you in your calendar):

Saturday 27 July: Winter Hot Shots begins!

Saturday afternoon tennis lessons for children aged 3-12 during Term 3, from 27 July to 14 September. With strong numbers last Winter, and this Autumn, we're continuing to offer lessons during all four school terms! For winter we are delighted to annouce that lessons will be once again taking place at "The Dome" on Stuart St (with no extra cost, thanks to Coach Jaden and the team at The Dome). To help us with coaching logistics and to reach minimum numbers, please sign up as early as possible: https://clubspark.kiwi/TaieriTennisClub/Coaching

Wednesday 31 July: The TTC AGM (start time: 7:30pm)

• Are you interested to hear how the club is growing?
• Want to know more about the plans and goals ahead?
• Keen to join the committee for the 24/25 season?
• Want to put your hand up to volunteer for one of the many coordinator roles we need to fill each season?
• Keen to get involved in fundraising? 

If you answered "yes!" to one or more of these questions, then please come along to our Annual General Meeting, which will be held at the Clubroom on Wednesday 31 July, from 7:30pm to ~8:30pm. We are grateful for your presence and your energy! If you can't be there but have some general business to be discussed or you would like to put in an apology, please reply to this email or contact a current committee member. Thank you!

Sunday 8 September: LOVE TENNIS / Club Open Day (10am-2pm)

Come one, come all, to our official club LOVE TENNIS Open Day, which clubs around New Zealand are celebrating together! Dust off that racquet, bring a friend, have a hit, eat a sammie, enjoy the sun! If you would like to help out on the day, please contact our Open Day Coordinator, Willa Faber (021-260-0596, kowil.faber@gmail.com). Children and Juniors 10am-12pm; Seniors from 12pm-2pm. Invite a friend! Rain or shine, our gates will be open, so pop in for a chat!

Memberships for the 24/25 season (starting 1 September 2024)

A reminder that current club memberships for 23/24 will expire on 31 August. Current members will receive auto-emails from ClubSpark asking you to renew your membership during September, for the 24/25 season. There is a three week grace period, which means you need to renew your membership by 21 September so that you can continue to book court time for free (otherwise, from 22 September, you're considered a non-member, and will need to pay for court time (currently $10/court per 30 mins), and the higher rate for weekly social tennis events too.

While we're here, a few highlights from the club in recent years:

• in August 2022 we moved to ClubSpark (significantly reducing admin time)
• in 22/23 Taieri won the Tennis Otago Division 1
• in 2023 we inducted two Life Members: Laraine Cuttance and Ross Merrett
• in September 2023 we celebrated our 140th anniversary (we are one of the oldest tennis clubs in NZ)
• 400% increase in Hot Shots participation over the last 5 years! (from 36 children in 18/19, to almost 200 in 23/24)  
• in March 2024 we became the first tennis club in NZ to use a smart lock for Book-A-Court

Speaking of booking courts:

 As the first club in New Zealand to use a smart lock, our success story is now inspiring other clubs around the country to jump onboard too! Every booking from a non-member generates income for the club, which helps us to keep our club in tip top shape. Please, tell your friends and family about Book-A-Court! To book a court as a member or non-member, please visit: https://clubspark.kiwi/TaieriTennisClub/Booking

Keep an eye on:

Lulu Sun, born in Te Anau, is into the round of 16 at Wimbledon, upsetting world number 8, Qinwen Zheng along the way!! Lulu is an incredibly powerful hitter, and very cool, calm and collected on court too. Set your alarm tonight to watch her fourth round match against rising British tennis star, Emma Raducanu. The match is scheduled for 2:30am NZT. Lulu is the first NZ woman to reach the fourth round of the singles at Wimbledon since Dame Ruia Morrison back in 1959! 

Happy hitting,

Secretary Steve

PS: Enjoyed playing at the Taieri Tennis Club this season? While you're waiting for Lulu's match to start, please write us a review:

https://g.page/r/CVRG6b9VjHGiECA/review

It'll take just two minutes of your time, but helps the club immensely with our online profile! Simply click on the link, then click on all 5 stars (if you think the club is worthy of that many), then wax lyrical, and hit post. Easy as. Thanks a million!