2023 Festival Highlights & Overview
The 33rd festival took place at Te Kura Hagley Park Tennis Club on Riccarton Avenue in Christchurch from 28–30 December 2023. Day 1 began with the AGM followed by the legendary team theme photos where players showcased matching outfits funded by their captain allowances.
Utilising both hard and grass court surfaces in the heart of Hagley Park, 80 players enjoyed 3 action-packed days of competitive and friendly social doubles, culminating in the 29 Dec dinner function and 30 Dec medal and Wooden Spoon presentations.
2023 Teams & Squad Rosters
Team Entry
Match Point Marvels
Squad: Rob Patterson, Eddy van Til, Rod MacKenzie, Peter Thawley, Alison Coats, Jenny Eggleton, Angela de Zwart, Jenny Mills.
Team Entry
Net Ninjas
Squad: Craig Tinkler, Richard Suckling, Chris Hadlee, Jon Saxton, Judith Wallace, Hana Sang, Barbara Provan, Jeanette McMillan.
Team Entry
Hagley Hot Hitters
Squad: Terry Lee / C. Finnie, Malcolm Strang, Rowly Brown, Dennis Hanna, Gill Cain, Leianne O'Brien, Karen Lilly, Carolyn Norton.
Team Entry
Cheeky Cherokee
Squad: Matt Kepple, Warren Mercer / A. de Heer, John McKenzie, Paul Fitzgibbon, Karen Tait, Elaine Middlewood, Luan Muir, Pam Johnston.
Team Entry
Serve Us a Double
Squad: Alan Cannan / J. Callaghan, Brent Morgan, Howard Wilson, Terry Vuleta, Jeanette Marston, Anna Simpson, Ellen Logan, Ngaire Simmons.
Team Entry
Devils Cheerleaders
Squad: Robbie Bennett, Grant Eastlake, Graeme Wellington, Ian Moore, Sue Ferguson, Denise Colston, Sarah Saxton, Fran van Til.
Team Entry
Golden Nuggets
Squad: Hiroshi Nakano, Gavin Dunn, John Dunbier, Terry Bennett, Jane Brosnahan, Liz Whyte, Sharon Richards, Jan McLeod.
Team Entry
Court Pirates
Squad: Stu Hirst, Anton Kumbaroff, Peter Meehan, Martyn Gall, Mandy Wilson, Wendy Cooper, Lynne Wellington, Ilona Kokay.
Team Entry
Colourful Comrades
Squad: Karl Mitchell, Tony Brosnahan, Fraser Richardson, Weir Broadbridge, Belinda Hirst, Ann-Marie Halliday, Mary Dollin, Janet Sime.
Wooden Spoon
Causing a Racket
Squad: Andrew Wilson, Bruce Eggleton, Jon Brooks, Robbie Watson, Cathy Forrest, Julie Cockburn, Anna Ashton, Wendy Jones.
Awarded the 2023 Wooden Spoon honours!
Photo Gallery
2023 EditionMoments from the courts, team themes, Meet & Greet, and the Festival Dinner & Quiz.
Player Count by Club & Region
6 Regional Hubs RepresentedWhere the 2023 field came from across the South Island. Update the numbers below from the final entry list when ready.
Player Feedback & Memories
"I thought it was extremely well run and organised each day. The team captains did a great job and the central Hagley Park courts were brilliant."
"Great tennis, lovely people, thoroughly enjoyable! Pat yourselves on the back — well done to the organising committee."
"The captains were great, players were friendly, and the matches were very well organised. Glenys did a fantastic job updating the rankings."
"Good social atmosphere, relatively even teams, and the first-to-6 games format kept everything flowing smoothly across grass and hard courts."
"Good sorting of teams. Photos were completed quickly, everyone played in good spirits, and the central dinner function was superb."
"Excellent coordination of matches, scoresheets, balls, and communication on the day. Great catching up with tennis friends from all over the South Island."