TE TOA HOU MŌ NGĀ WHAKATAETAE TĒNEHI MĀORI O AOTEAROA 2018

NEW OPEN CHAMPIONS OF MAORI TENNIS
LAST YEARS BRIDESMAIDS – THIS YEARS CHAMPIONS

With an impressive Powhiri at the Rotorua Tennis Club on the morning of the 27 December, to mark the return of the tournament where it started in 1926, led by Te Arawa kaumatua Monty Morrison and Sir Toby Curtis, and Māori tennis patron Kiingi Tuheitia Potatau Te Wherowhero V11, Atawhai Paki, Tainui kaumatua, and Māori tennis kaumatua Sir Tamati and Lady Tilly Reedy.

Jesse Matenga Galvin-Dawson (Te Arawa, Ngāti Tūwharetoa) defeated Shaun Tamai (Te Arawa) 6/4 7/6 in the Open Men’s singles final.

In a blockbuster final Jesse beat fellow Te Arawa teammate which not only produced an amazing array of tennis, but the sportsmanship produced by both players was a compliment to themselves, whanau and Aotearoa Maori tennis.

Jesse is currently living in Brisbane and is the Northern Brisbane Academy Tennis Champion.

Jesse Matenga Galvin-Dawson (Te Arawa, Ngāti Tūwharetoa)

Kalais Maree d’Going (Ngāpuhi)

In the women’s Open final Kalais Maree d’Going (Ngāpuhi) b Dana Lucy Gray (Te Arawa) Dana suffered heat stroke after her semi-final against the ever-green Luci Barlow (Ngāti Maniapoto) and was too sick to play.

But full credit to Kalais who had a strong tournament and kept the Sid Going whanau name to the forefront of Maori sport.

OTHER HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE TOURNAMENT:

Ngāti Porou brother and sister took out the strong 30-49 Men’s singles and women’s singles sections:
Phil Dean (Australia based) b Adam Whauwhau (Ngāti Hauā) 6/3 7/5 and Natalie (former US Tennis scholarship) defeated Paula Stubbing (Tainui) 6/4 6/4 in their finals.

Natalie Dean (Ngāti Porou)

Phil Dean (Ngāti Porou)

Dinny Mohi (Te Arawa, Ngāti Tūwharetoa) retained his 76+ singles title defeating Richard Collier (Whakatōhea, Ngāti Porou).

That section saw 85-year-old Tom Te Apatu (Ngāti Kahungunu) and 84 year old Peter Thomas (Ngapuhi) competing, but not forgetting 80 year old Mere Clark (Rongowhakaata, Te Arawa) competing with her cousin Ronnie Farrell (Rongowhakaata, Ngāti Porou) who was in his 64th year of competing in the Māori tennis championships.

Dinny Mohi (Te Arawa, Ngāti Tūwharetoa)

Nga mihi tino nui ki a Te Arawa, Rotorua Tennis Club, Lynmore Tennis Club and Rotorua Girls High School.
The association had a record entry/participation of over 191 which included U/10 – 76+, Hot Shots & Social Grade, with players entering from the South Island, Australia, USA and Hong Kong.

Rotorua's Dinny Mohi in action at the Aotearoa MÄori Tennis Championships. Photo / Ben Fraser