The EVES Open is back in Pāpāmoa in less than a week – and students at Pāpāmoa Primary School have got the ball rolling!

After the success of last year’s inaugural event, the EVES Open – ITF World Tennis Tour: Tauranga is returning to the sky-blue hard courts of Pāpāmoa Tennis Club from December 17-23. Entry is free for spectators.

This is an international tournament for men and women with official ATP and WTA world ranking points up for grabs.

Professional players from Australia, the United States, Europe and Asia will take on some of New Zealand’s best at the Venture Developments WBOP Tennis Centre in Gordon Spratt Reserve.

Early taste 

Just down the road from the tennis centre, which will also play host to the NZ Wheelchair Tennis National Championships next week, students at Pāpāmoa Primary School got an early taste of this upcoming festival of tennis.

Brand new tennis equipment including Wilson racquets, balls and nets were donated to the school by Tennis NZ and EVES Real Estate.

Pāpāmoa Tennis Club head coach Peter Blow, with help from some local players, also put on introductory skills sessions to get the kids started.

“We were so grateful and blown away by all the equipment we were gifted,” says Pāpāmoa Primary School sports coordinator Kirsten Crossan.

Kirsten says with Pāpāmoa Tennis Club being so close and accessible to the school, this opportunity could see many new young players interested in getting involved.

“Already the tennis equipment has been well used by the students.

"Teachers are able to pick up the tennis bag with everything in it and set up classroom games.”

Peter says tennis is a great sport for kids to play and the students at Pāpāmoa Primary School are already displaying many of the fundamental hand-eye coordination skills that players pick up along the way.

 “We were able to connect with local kids who are already tennis club members as well as kids who have never played tennis before.”

Pāpāmoa Tennis Club head coach Peter Blow helps put on introductory skills sessions for with students Veronika and Theresa Bliesze. Photo: supplied.

Tennis camp

In conjunction with the EVES Open this year, Pāpāmoa Tennis Club is hosting a school holiday tennis camp in the lead-up to Christmas, for kids and teens aged five-18.

The camp will run from December 18-21, from 8.30am-11.30am daily, with a minimum coach/player ratio of one to seven.

“The camp is for all player levels, from absolute beginners right through to representative juniors,” says Peter.

The EVES Open – ITF World Tennis Tour: Tauranga is on December 17-23 at Venture Developments WBOP Tennis Centre, Gordon Spratt Reserve, Pāpāmoa.

Play begins 11am daily, with free spectator entry.