Karori United was named Tennis Central Club of the Year 2016/17 at the Tennis Central Awards Evening on 19 May.
Accepting the trophy on behalf of the club are are (L to R): Emerson O’Campo, Kevin Wilson, Gaye Monk, Andrew Taylor, Marc Piercey, Roger Parker
Our President Kevin Wilson was on hand to accept the award on the club’s behalf. Here is Kevin’s speech:
“Congratulations to the other finalists Churton Park and Wellington Tennis Club and in deed all finalists and nominees
This is the third successive year that KUTC has been a finalist and while I am not superstitious it is quite clearly a matter of being third time lucky
While this award recognises the Club’s efforts and achievements this year, let me say that previous committees have laid the foundation and so I wish to not only acknowledge our current committees, who I might add are a great TEAM, but also past committees for the work they have done also. I acknowledge the presence this evening of our committee members Marc Piercey and Roger Parker and also our Life Member Gaye Monk
I have been a proud member of the Club for 24 years and the one constant over those years has been the focus on community. We have a major focus on juniors whereby year on year over the past decade and more, we have had a junior membership of more than 200.
This has come about by having a good coaching structure in place and so I wish to thank and acknowledge Andy Wheeler at Capital Coaching who provides year-round coaching with his three coaches Andrew Taylor, Emerson O’Campo (both are here tonight) and Liam Bramwell. They have been with the Club for the past four years and provide an excellent service.
I wish to also thank our members who help create the environment we have and who have been loyal to the Club over the years. When you have a membership of over 300 and just three courts members do not necessarily get on the courts as often as they would like or when they would like to….. and so thank you members.
I would also like to thank our many sponsors and in particular Tecnifibre, Thump Sports and New World Karori and the Gaming Trusts, NZ Community Trust, Four Winds, Lion Foundation and the NZ Racing Board for their on-going support of the Club which has allowed us to maintain the facility to the level it is today.
A Club highlight for the 2016-17 season was the first season for more than 24 years we had a team in men’s premier one, they were relegated to Prem two for post-Christmas but with true KUTC grit they won Prem Two and will play in Prem One next season and will be joined with a men’s team in Prem three as well. Andrew and Emerson were part of that team.
Finally, a big Thank you to the TEAM at TENNIS CENTRAL for their work in promoting the game and putting on this evening of Celebration it has been fantastic,
It is so nice to be sharing this award and this evening with our Tennis Family.
THANK YOU!”