Junior Development

Wairarapa Tennis is committed to providing quality development opportunities for junior players of all ages and abilities. Our programme is designed to support players at every stage of their tennis journey - from those beginning competitive tennis through to nationally ranked athletes representing Wairarapa, Central Region and New Zealand.

Throughout the 2026/27 season, Wairarapa Tennis will offer a range of opportunities to help players develop their skills, gain valuable match experience, and enjoy being part of a strong regional tennis community.

Opportunities will include:

• Local tournaments throughout the season for players of all ages and abilities.
• Inter-regional junior fixtures against neighbouring regions, providing valuable team and representative match play.
• Quad and Central Region representative events.
• The annual Wairarapa North vs South Junior Challenge.
• Summer development activities, including our junior holiday camp.
• Representative team preparation and training for selected players.
• Ongoing support for our nationally ranked players and those progressing through regional and national pathways.

As dates and venues are confirmed, further information and registration links will be published on this page.
 

Representative Tennis

Our top-performing junior players will have the opportunity to represent Wairarapa at representative events throughout the season, including the Central Region Teams Event. Selection will be made in accordance with the Wairarapa Tennis Junior Selection Policy.

The Wairarapa Tennis Junior Selection Policy for the 2026/27 season can be viewed HERE
 

Coaching

Wairarapa Tennis continues to work closely with Jacob Emery and the coaching team at Red Clay Tennis to support player development across the region. Coaching is available through local clubs, with players encouraged to work directly with Red Clay Tennis to find the programme best suited to their individual goals and ability.

We look forward to another exciting season of junior tennis and seeing players continue to develop, compete, and enjoy the game.
 

Wairarapa Junior Representative Coach

Jacob Emery — Red Clay Tennis

Jacob Emery is entering his sixth year as Wairarapa Tennis’s Junior Representative Coach.

Before moving to the Wairarapa, Jacob coached in Wellington for 15 years, working with aspiring junior players. In 2018, he was named Tennis New Zealand Performance Coach of the Year, and in 2026 he was a finalist for Wairarapa Coach of the Year.

Alongside his coaching work, Jacob established New Zealand’s first purpose-built clay court facility in Martinborough. The facility provides players from the Wairarapa and throughout New Zealand with another high-quality environment in which to train and develop their game.
 

Jacob Emery | Red Clay Tennis

Wairarapa Representative Coach                           
Phone: 021 957 455
Email: jacob@premiertennis.co.nz          

Other Coaches Operating in the Wairarapa

Marco De Groot
Email: mrcdgrt33@gmail.com

Alex Wall
Email: alex@papakowhai.co.nz

Boon Huxtable - Opaki Tennis Club
Phone: 021 083 70797