1145 days ago

New turf for old friends at Waiuku Tennis Club

Sapeer Mayron Reporter from Franklin County News

One of Waiuku’s community hubs finally has a new astroturf, thanks to years of fundraising, grants and the efforts of members and friends alike.

The Waiuku Tennis Club is putting on a grand reopening to celebrate new astroturf, and invites locals to check out the club and maybe even sign up.

Life member Jonathan Taylor said the club has been a key part of his life ever since he moved to Waiuku in 1983.

He was part of an army of volunteers and club members who helped pull up the old astroturf and bundle it up for organisations to take away, saving the club some $16,000.

“It’s very much a part of the fabric of Waiuku, if you like,” Taylor said. “I am a big believer in that.”

Founded in 1907, the tennis club has seen generations of Waiuku families come and go. One of those families was Ilian Trivonov’s, who arrived in 2000 from Bulgaria.

Always an avid tennis player, there was no question about finding a club to play in, but this one quickly became his family’s connection to the community.

“I have no words to explain how welcoming the club was, and is. Everyone - adults, and kids,” Trivonov said.

“We keep connected. It’s very pleasant when you see somebody on the street, at the doctors, in the shops. We remember the good times.”

The NZ Community Trust, Lion Foundation, Waiuku Rotary Club, Foundation North* and the Teague Family made sizable donations to help buy the new turf.

You can join the celebrations, including an exhibition match and BBQ, at the Waiuku Tennis Club, 4 Racecourse Rd in Waiuku on Sunday 30th October, from 2-5pm, and if you become a member on the day you will get a free free Waiuku tennis club cap.

RSVP to waiukutennisclub@gmail.com

Image
More messages from your neighbours
6 days ago

Brain Teaser of the Day 🧠✨ Can You Solve It? 🤔💬

The Riddler from The Neighbourly Riddler

How many balls of string does it take to reach the moon?

(Peter from Carterton kindly provided this head-scratcher ... thanks, Peter!)

Do you think you know the answer? Simply 'Like' this post and we'll post the answer in the comments below at 2pm on the day!

Want to stop seeing these in your newsfeed? No worries! Simply head here and click once on the Following button.

Image
1 day ago

Poll: Are Kiwis allergic to “exuberance”? 🥝

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

In The Post’s opinion piece on the developments set to open across Aotearoa in 2026, John Coop suggests that, as a nation, we’re “allergic to exuberance.”

We want to know: Are we really allergic to showing our excitement?

Is it time to lean into a more optimistic view of the place we call home? As big projects take shape and new opportunities emerge, perhaps it’s worth asking whether a little more confidence (and enthusiasm!) could do us some good.

Image
Are Kiwis allergic to “exuberance”? 🥝
  • 41.8% Yes
    41.8% Complete
  • 32.1% Maybe?
    32.1% Complete
  • 26.1% No
    26.1% Complete
368 votes
8 days ago

Poll: Are our Kiwi summer holidays helping us recharge, or holding the economy back? ☀️🥝

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

There’s growing debate about whether New Zealand’s extended Christmas break (and the slowdown that comes with it) affects productivity.

Tracy Watkins has weighed in ... now it’s your turn. What’s your take? 🤔

Image
Are our Kiwi summer holidays helping us recharge, or holding the economy back? ☀️🥝
  • 73.1% We work hard, we deserve a break!
    73.1% Complete
  • 15.8% Hmm, maybe?
    15.8% Complete
  • 11.1% Yes!
    11.1% Complete
1320 votes