Victoria West (left) and Sophie Hawkes were first and second respectively in the women’s singles for players rated 4.0 and below at the New Zealand Pickleball Open in Auckland last month.
Victoria West (left) and Sophie Hawkes were first and second respectively in the women’s singles for players rated 4.0 and below at the New Zealand Pickleball Open in Auckland last month.
Gisborne Pickleball Club members made a big impression at the New Zealand Open in Auckland last month.
Victoria West won the women’s singles for players rated 4.0 (advanced), and teenager Sophie Hawkes followed up impressive performances in New Zealand and Australian tournaments by placing runner-up in the same grade.
Westbeat Hawkes 11-7, 11-6 in the final.
West won her semifinal 15-2, quarter-final 15-10 and round-of-16 match 15-5; Hawkes won her semi 15-5, quarter-final 17-15 and round-of-16 match 15-4.
Paare Ahuriri Leach (left) and Chey Tarawa won the gold medal for women’s doubles with a rating of 3.5 to 4 at the New Zealand Pickleball Open in Auckland.
The Dynamic Universal Pickleball Rating (DUPR) system assigns players a numerical skill level on a scale of 2.000 to 8.000, based on match results, opponent strength, and score margins.
New players start as NR (not rated) and progress through a scale ranging from 2.000 (beginner) to 8.000 (professional).
Gisborne medal winners at the Mount Pickleball Classic in Tauranga included, back (from left): Cass Beauchamp, Sophie Hawkes and Michael Akroyd. Middle: Paris Brough, Paddy Owen, Maora Ratapu, Sarah Hawkes, Siaki Tui, Jesse Fleming and Bernice Paige Gaw. Front: Sharon Bramwell and Jill Owen.
Earlier in the month, Gisborne club members competed in the Mount Pickleball Classic in Tauranga and won the trophy for the club earning the most points.
