Wanganui get set to ace podium place

The Wanganui High School tennis team to contest the NZ secondary school championships. From left, teacher Peter Reid, Kyle Butters, Michael Park, Sam Russell, Rebekah Butters-Chamberlain, Paris Butters, Gabrielle Hiri. Photo/Supplied

Wanganui High School's tennis team have earned another shot at getting that coveted spot on the podium at the New Zealand Secondary Schools Tennis Championship finals next week in Hamilton.

The sole local team at the championships, the six-person WHS squad will join Hutt Valley High School in representing the Tennis Central zone in the Mixed Grade of the championships.

Last weekend, WHS tied with Wellington's regional qualifier Hutt Valley High School, 3-3 at the Renouf Tennis Centre in the capital.

Starting Monday, eight co-ed secondary school teams will contest the mixed grade over four days at the Waikato Tennis Centre.

It is the fourth year in a row WHS have made it to the finals where they have shown steady improvement coming eighth in 2011, seventh in 2012 and fifth last year.

Teacher in charge Peter Reid said he is hoping for a podium placing, but emphasised it is a "hugely difficult task" against some of the best of the country's top youth talent.

There is a strong family connection as leading player Kyle Butters is joined by sister Paris and their cousin Rebekah Butters-Chamberlain.

Sam Russell, Michael Park and Gabrielle Hiri are the other squad members.

Last year with Kyle Butters and the same three girl players, WHS lost to power schools St Kentigern (Auckland) and St Andrews (Christchurch) in the opening rounds, but then fared better to beat Feilding High, Burnside High, and finally Bay of Plenty's Trident High in the playoff for fifth in the Mixed Grade.

A world-ranked junior, Kyle Butters went undefeated in his singles games and this will be his last year contesting the championships.

The Butters' first cousin, Paige Hourigan, was successful as St Kentigern's won the Girls Grade in 2013.