Celebration of young and old at 2021/22 awards

Andrew Moffat

Photo: Rotokere Soffe Cup winners. Photo by LDV Photography

Young and old celebrated as the Taranaki Tennis community came together for the 2021/22 awards night in Stratford last Friday.

It was a big night for the Roberts family, with Will and Emma picking up junior male and female player of the year, as well as taking out the two top awards for the 16s age group. Emma also won the 14s title. Both were also part of the winning Rotokare side which took out the Soffe Cup title and the on-court future for both is bright.

Rotokare’s Karen Cranston, who played a major role in their title run, picked up the senior female award. Cranston was unbeaten in Soffe Cup singles this year and picked up a swag of national age group titles. Senior male player was taken out by Brad Dowdle, who made a big on-court comeback this season after many years away from the sport. Dowdle picked up some social tennis titles on the Hawera grass before becoming an important part of the Okaiawa team that won the Sumpter Trophy. He was also drafted into the Soffe Cup finals lineup at the last minute, stepping up to the mark on the big stage to put up a creditable performance on court.

Most improved female player went to Ruby McIntyre, whose rankings rocketed up in both singles and doubles through a successful season playing for Okaiawa in the Soffe Cup and plenty of tournament play. Rotokare’s Luke De Villiers picked up the most improved male award. De Villiers stormed up the rankings this season, with a string of victories at tournaments and interclub level, earning representative honours as well.. Huatoki’s Jae Laurence was a popular winner of the Volunteer of the Year award for all the work she put’s in around her club and beyond, while Rotokare’s on-court victories and strong club spirit and participation programmes earned them the Club of the Year title. The Okaiawa Sumpter Trophy title winning team picked up the Team of the Year award. Among the junior Grand Prix Awards Oakura’s Luke Barrett won both the 10s and 12s award reflecting another strong season for him where he also earned selection on the Central Tennis age group side. Eva Dowdle picked up the consolation award in the 10s while Waiwaka’s Viv Benton picked up the consolation in the 12s. Pukekura’s Henry Moffat picked up the consolation title in the 14s.

Awards and winners:

Junior Male of the Year: Will Roberts

Junior Female of the Year: Emma Roberts

Senior Male of the Year: Brad Dowdle

Senior Female of the Year: Karen Cranston

Most Improved Male: Luke De Villiers

Most Improved Female: Ruby McIntyre

Volunteer of the Year: Jae Laurence

Club of the Year: Rotokare

Team of the Year: Okaiawa Sumpter Trophy Team

Soffe Cup Champions: Rotokare Wilson Trophy

Champions: Pukekura Sumpter Trophy

Champions: Okaiawa Baylis Cup

Champions: Huatoki Fours

Champions: Waiwaka & Oakura

Junior Grand Prix Awards:

10 years winner: Luke Barrett

10 years consolation: Eva Dowdle

12 years winner: Luke Barrett

12 years consolation: Viv Benton

14 years winner: Emma Roberts

14 years consolation: Henry Moffat

16 years winner: Will Roberts

16 years consolation: Emma Roberts