Tennis club hopes it has recruited some aces

XMAS SHOPPING: Wanganui Tennis Club members Liza Iliffe (left) and son Thomas check out the deals with Stirling Sports manager Paula Darlington as they look to spend their $150 voucher.PHOTO/STUART MUNRO

The Wanganui Tennis Club has been blessed in recent years with young talent realising their promise and moving on to stronger company.

And to maintain that fine name as a nursery that nurtures future stars, an open day and subsequent membership over the past month or so has attracted 27 new members, some of whom the club hopes are destined for greatness.

Committeeman Glenn Park said he was unsure about the exact make-up of the newcomers, families and individuals had responded to the call.

Young male talent would have been welcomed last weekend after the women carried the Wanganui team to victory and retain the Christie Cup against Taranaki. The team was without stable stars No1 ranked Kyle Butters, professional Victor Romero and captain Simon O'Leary.

"I'm not sure of the make-up of the new members attracted through the open day and drive, but hopefully there's a good mix that we can build from," Park said yesterday.

Hopefully, he said, the new bunch would include players with the raw talent to emulate the feats of Paige Hourign and her cousin Kyle Butters, who are making their names on the world stage along with the likes of Emma Hayman.

Other members of the Hourigan-Butters clan are also making waves. They include Paris Butters, Rebekah Butters-Chamberlain and Tara Butters. Then, of course, there is rising star Dana Hiri.

"The open day had an aim to not only promote tennis, but to also showcase our tremendous facilities and to attract new members. It was well attended by around 150 people from all age groups. .

"If members introduced a new member both themselves and the newcomer received a $50 reduction off their annual subscription. The new member was also eligible for a further $20 reduction if they continue their annual membership for the following year."

As part of the promotion all current members as at October 31 went into a draw for a $150 Stirling Sports voucher donated by Air New Zealand Holidays Store. The winners were Liza and son Thomas Iliffe.