A field of 101 players took part in the two-day Janet Agnew Carnival Doubles tennis tournament hosted at Thomas Neale Family Memorial Park over the weekend.  

The tournament hosted men’s and ladies’ doubles on Saturday and a mixed doubles competition on Sunday. Fullers Great Sights and Copthorne Hotel & Resort Bay of Islands sponsored the main prize on offer, with 44 other local sponsors providing a great selection of goods for the prize table.    

Saturday’s weather provided challenging conditions for the men’s and ladies’ doubles matches, with hot and humid conditions all day. Sunday’s mixed doubles saw some relief from the heat, with light cloud and a slight breeze to round out the weekend.  

Northland greats Mike Clapshaw (Kerikeri) and Terry Mitchell (Kamo) took out the Men’s A Grade. They faced Cameron Burnett (Kaitaia) and Ethan Hick (Mairtown) in the final, winning in two sets 6-2 6-2.  

In the Ladies’ A Grade, mother-and-daughter combination Julia and Kate Sim (Bucklands Beach) had the crowd watching in anticipation as they took the win over Northland locals Wendy Sykes (Kaitaia) and Cheryl Baker (Mairtown) in the final. They won in two sets 6-4 6-2. Julia Sim then went on to win the Mixed A Grade on Sunday alongside doubles partner Daniel Jones. They faced the aunty/nephew pairing of Wendy Jambor and Ben Donaldson and won in two sets 6-3 6-2.  

“It’s always great seeing the Northland tennis community get in behind this event” said Tennis Northland Chairperson, James Donaldson. “Tennis is one of those sports where multiple generations can play together” he said. “We’ve got all kinds of family-focussed doubles pairings here from father/son pairings in the men’s doubles, to aunty/nephew pairings in the mixed doubles, it’s a special part of our sport and this tournament”.  

This was the 39th year the tournament has been run, with a long history of being a major event on the Northland tennis tournament calendar. The tournament was started after Northland tennis star Janet Agnew was involved in a serious car accident in 1986 resulting in a severe head injury. “The doctors said I’d be lucky to get back to playing tennis ever again,” said Janet. ‘So, I thought, well seeing as I can’t play tennis, I’ll make a tournament where other people can play and enjoy the game.” she said. Luckily the doctor’s initial prognosis was proven pessimistic, and this year saw Janet enjoying yet another year of playing in her own named tournament.  

Full Results:  

Men’s A Grade:  

• Winners: Mike Clapshaw & Terry Mitchell  
• Runners-up: Cameron Burnett & Ethan Hick 

Men’s B Grade:  

• Winners: Josh McKegg & Rod Langdon 
• Runners-up: Dave Lobb & Paul Ramsay 

Ladies’ A Grade:  

• Winners: Julia Sim & Kate Sim 
• Runners-up: Wendy Sykes & Cheryl Baker 

Ladies’ B Grade:  

• Winners: Margaret Harper & Rose Lobb 
• Runners-up: Jo Porter & Margaret Walker  

Mixed A Grade:  

• Winners: Julia Sim & Daniel Jones 
• Runners-up: Wendy Jambor & Ben Donaldson 

Mixed B Grade:  

• Winners: Judy Hill & Ethan Hick 
• Runners-up: Steve Daykin & Val Higgins