CLUB OF THE WEEK: City club serves up more than tennis

FOR more than 45 years members of Otumoetai Tennis Club have stepped out onto the court to represent their club in a tough and exciting game.
Since the club established 45 years ago, it has had a strong presence in the community and is now the biggest tennis club in Tauranga.
The club has a very strong junior division and is one of the strongest in the area, said club president Warwick Brew.
He has been president of Otumoetai Tennis Club for four years and vice-president for about 25 years.
"Tennis is a great game ... it keeps you active and is very social," he said.
Over the years membership increased - this year the club has more than 400 members who range in age from 5 to late 70s.
Club captain Chris Tustain joined the club in 1979 as she was looking for a hobby that would entertain her time and help her keep fit.
She didn't play tennis as a child and only got into the sport later in life. She said this proved that anyone of any age could take part in tennis, as long as they could walk.
In the early days, Otumoetai Tennis Club members used to play on the courts at Otumoetai College. These were multi-purpose courts and Mrs Tustain remembered having to move netball goal posts and put up the tennis net.
"We would have to move it all ourselves and in winter it was a real hassle," she said.
This continued until 1991, when the club moved to its current location in Bellevue. Here, the club has 12 tennis courts and a club house. Moving to Bellevue made a significant difference to the club as facilities were bigger and better than ever before. The club finally had a base.
To fund the new these facilities the club had to raise money and this was done by Otumoetai Tennis Club hosting a number of successful tournaments.
As the club grew, the ethos within the club developed. Players had a strong desire to win however they also placed emphasis on developing and maintaining relationships with other players, said Mrs Tustain.
"Of course people like to win and we've got some great players that can give their opponents a run for their money but a huge aspect of the club is teamwork and comradeship," she said.
 Otumoetai Tennis Club caters for people of all ages and all abilities, with various coaching options available throughout the week and weekend.
Over the years, the club has produced a number of high-achieving players, including Margaret Howcroft, who represented New Zealand several times in senior-level tennis.
For the past eight years, junior members of the club have won the Bigham Trophy. This tournament is open to all junior teams in the Western Bay of Plenty. In 2009, Otumoetai tennis club received prestigious honours when the club was announced as a finalist in the Sports Club of the Year Awards, which Mr Brew was very proud about.
"This recognition meant we were in the top three sports clubs in the country, not just tennis," he said.
"It's a pretty big achievement."
Tennis is a tough game but can suite anyone of any ability. Whether it be social or competitive, the Otumoetai Tennis Club is a place where you can go and take part in a fun and exciting activity.
Non-members are allowed to use the club's facilities for a $5 fee. This money goes towards the ongoing operating costs of the club.
THE DETAILS
Name: Otumoetai Tennis Club.
Number of members: Over 400.
How long it's been going: About 45 years.
How often it meets: Various.
If interested to join: Contact the club on 576 5759.