WT has enjoyed a thriving development program over the past six years with the assistance of Jacob Emery from Red Clay Tennis, who has been the official coach for the region over this time.
Initailly focusing on Training sessions and match play practice every Sunday, the program contunued to evolve to meet the needs of the players with tournament coach support, pre season training sessions and mid summer camps.
As a result we now have a very strong base of junior players coming through the grades. Some of whom are nationally ranked and making selections to the regional and national teams events. This past season we had a player selected for the u/11 NZ Junior team. This has been hugely inspirational for all our players. Please see HERE for WT's policy on "Support for National Ranked Players"
This coming season WT will focus its development energies on competitive match play.
We will be looking to secure dates for home and away inter-regional junior fixtures, with Wellington, Eastern, Manawatu, Whanganui & Kapiti Coast. This will be open to any player to apply for selection - based on match-up's in ability and numbers with the other regions. Fixture participation will be charged on a user pays entry fee. For away fixtures the cost of transport and possibly accommodation will be covered by the individual also.
Regions and dates are yet to be confirmed. Application will be via Google form. Links will be posted to this website page when they become available.
Following the success of the new senior Wairarapa North vs South fixture, we will be hosting a junior version this season. Dates still TBC.
WT will continue to run the two day summer camp for any junior wanting to participate. This is usually held in January 2027 - dates TBC.
And our Number 1 players for the season will represent Wairarapa at the Regional Teams Event in Wellington at the end of the season for 10/u, 12/u, 14/u, 16u grades.
WT will provide a training day for the reps selected to participate at both of these events. Dates to be advised.
The Wairarapa Tennis Junior Selection Policy for the 2026/27 season can be viewed HERE
WT will continue to focus on running a variety of tournaments through out the season for all players to particiapte in. Please see the Tournaments tab.
With the clubs now all being serviced so well by the coaches at Red Clay Tennis, we will be leaving the coaching requirements up to the individuals to determine with Jacob via their clubs.
Wairarapa Junior Representative Coach, Jacob Emery:
This will be Jacob's sixth year as the Wairarapa Tennis coach. Previously he coached in Wellington for 15 years, working with aspiring juniors. In 2018, Jacob was awarded NZ Performance Coach of the Year by Tennis NZ (read more).
Alongside coaching, Jacob has set up New Zealand's first clay court facility in Martinborough to help players from Wairarapa and all over New Zealand achieve their goals (read more).
Over the 2025/26 season Jacob and his coaching team from Red Clay Tennis have worked with Masterton, Carterton, Martinborough and Gladstone Tennis Clubs.
Jacob Emery/Red Clay Tennis
Wairarapa Representative Coach
Ph 021 957 455
email jacob@premiertennis.co.nz
Alternatively, other coaches operating in the region are:
Marco De Groot Email: mrcdgrt33@gmail.com
Alex Wall, Email: alex@papakowhai.co.nz
Boon Huxtable - Opaki Tennis Club Ph 021 08370797