START OF YEAR MESSAGE – THANK YOU FOR A SENSATIONAL 2025
As we step into a new year at the Club, we extend a warm welcome back to all our members, volunteers, and supporters.
The year ahead is full of opportunity: on court; off court; and across our wider community, and we’re excited to build on the momentum we created together last season.
For 2026, we carry forward the momentum of an unforgettable 2025 year shaped by vibrant Wednesday Club Nights, energetic Friday Junior Club Nights, Workshop and Socials and our ever‑popular Sunday Social Singles. Alongside these weekly anchors, our long‑standing traditions and creative new events continue to give the Club its unique appeal. Our growing Coaching programmes and strong Interclub presence reflect the development, enthusiasm, and depth of talent across all ages and stages.
Fresh off a sensational ASB Classic and our very own Club of the Year Celebration, the energy around the Club is electric.
Thank you to everyone who joined us to mark this milestone; it was a proud moment for our whole community and a reflection of the spirit, commitment, and connection that define MBTC.
Our full calendar of events for 2026 is live on our website, giving you a clear view of everything happening across the year. Each month, we’ll also share the upcoming events and registration links so it’s easy to plan ahead and get involved.
Our focus this season is simple: more great tennis, more community connection, and more opportunities for everyone to participate. Whether you’re here for social play, competition, coaching, fitness, or simply good company, we’re committed to creating experiences that bring people together on and off the court.
Thank you for being part of Mission Bay Tennis Club. Here’s to a fantastic 2026, full of great rallies, new friendships, and plenty of memorable moments.
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MBTC FEATURED IN SUNDAY STAR-TIMES
Mission Bay Tennis Club was proudly featured in the Sunday Star‑Times (Auckland Local News, Page 10) on Sunday 18th January 2026.
"Smashing success for club" highlights the club's recent achievement of being named both the Tennis NZ National Club of the Year and the Tennis Auckland Club of the Year for 2025.
Thank you again to all of our Members, Guests, Coaches, Committee,Volunteers and Sponsors that make Mission Bay Tennis Club the great club that it is!
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COMMITTEE INTEREST?
Our Club is run by a small, committed Committee, and a number of those members have been giving their time for many years.
As we look ahead, it’s important we start thinking about succession and bringing some fresh perspectives into the mix.
Being on the Committee is a great way to help shape the future of the Club, contribute ideas, and support the tennis community we all enjoy. You do not need to be a tennis expert or commit endless hours.
If you’re interested, curious, or would just like to learn more about what’s involved, we’d love to hear from you. Please get in touch with us for a chat.
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LIGHT POLE REPAIRS
As notified in December one of the light poles by Court 6 fell down and we have been working towards installation of a replacement.
We are pleased to announce that the pole has now been replaced and the lighting on Courts 5 and 6 is now back to normal.
Thank you for your patience and cooperation during this period.
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CLUB HOUSE PRO-SHOP REPAIRS
The downstairs Pro-Shop has been out of action for some time due to long-standing leak due to a faulty deck membrane by the BBQ area causing damage below.
Remediation works are proposed from ~March-April with some initial exploration work having commenced this week.
For your health and safety, Members and Guests are requested to keep clear of any construction zones please.
Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.
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SPONSOR UPDATES
We are pleased to announce 2 new Sponsors:
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Precision Line Marking - Net signage on Court 3 - Precision Line Marking specialise in high‑quality court and sports surface marking, delivering reliable workmanship and crisp, professional results.
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TUSCANCITY - Planned signage along the pathway between Courts 3-4 - Look out for the sign coming soon! - TUSCANCITY is a boutique property management company specializing in the management of residential properties in Auckland.
We’re grateful for their support of our club community.
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Want Your Name on Our Deck? Here’s Your Chance!
Mission Bay Tennis Club is looking to add a brand-new outdoor table to the deck — something just like the one in the photo: a lightweight, easy-to-move, powder-coated aluminium beauty that’ll handle everything from post-match debriefs to coffee-and-gossip sessions.
We’re on the hunt for a business, family, or generous individual who’d like to Sponsor the table. In return, we’ll attach a personalised plaque proudly acknowledging your contribution. Think of it as your very own reserved patch of glory… without actually reserving the table.
If you’re keen to support the Club, leave a comment or message us directly.
Let’s get this deck looking sharp for the summer season!
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MEMBER UPDATES
Baby Celina Medlin
We are excited to announce the arrival of baby Celina Medlin, daughter of our Treasurer Jeremy and his partner Talita.
Baby Celina and parents are all doing well and loving this new adventure, including attending our Club of the Year Celebration! We can't wait to see her hit the Courts soon!
Congratulations Jeremy and Telita and welcome Celina.
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In Memory of Elaine Croskey
We are saddened to share that long‑time Midweek Ladies member Elaine Croskey passed away on Christmas Day.
Elaine was a regular presence on court and will be remembered fondly by those who played alongside her.
Our thoughts are with her family and friends at this time.
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2. Events
2026 MAJOR ANNUAL EVENTS
Please refer to the planned dates for our Major Annual Events on our website.
Please save the dates, whilst noting that the dates and events may be subject to change.
Please refer to our Website for the Detailed Annual Events Calendar which also includes important dates for Interclub. Event Details and Registration Forms (where applicable) will also be updated on our Website, Social Media and Newsletters throughout the year.
UPCOMING EVENTS
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3. Recent Events
ASB CLASSIC CLUB SOCIAL NIGHT
On Wednesday 14th January Mission Bay Tennis Club hosted our ASB Classic Club Social Night including our very own LOBBO and SMASH FOR CASH
THANK YOU to the ASB Suppliers and Sponsors that donated all of the amazing prizes including
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Pacific Team Sports
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Stoneleigh Vineyards
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Eau Thermale Avène
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Aperol Spritz
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Schweppes
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Nespresso
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ASB Classic Volunteers courtesy of Nick Campbell
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Thank you to everyone that participated and congratulations to all of our Winners on the night:
👗 Best Dressed Winners: Husband and Wife:
🎾 LOBBO Winners:
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Ruby O'Brien
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Larry Nerida
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Winston Chow
💥 SMASH FOR CASH Winners:
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Cristobal Casanova
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Gonzalo Vergara Candia
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Julien Delmarle
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TENNIS ONE GOLF DAY
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On Sunday 18th January, Tennis One hosted Mission Bay Tennis Club Members and Guests for the inaugural Driver and Drop Shots Golf Day at Howick Golf Glub
A spectacular day in the sunshine with great people, plenty of solid swings and a few whisky shots for players that didn't make their drive past the ladies tees.
Thank you to everyone that attended, and thank you Nelson for the great day. We're all looking forward to the next one!
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PADEL NIGHT
On Tuesday 27th January, Mission Bay Tennis Club Members played Padel at the new facility at Merton Road.
Thank you to everyone that participated including Stephen Coulthard for coordinating and Adam at Pacific Padel for hosting us.
A great night was had by all! Watch out for the next Padel Night coming soon.
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CLUB OF THE YEAR AWARDS CELEBRATION
On Saturday 31st January, we celebrated winning Tennis NZ and Tennis Auckland CLUB OF THE YEAR 2025!
Thank you to all of our Members and Guests that joined us to celebrate! We hope you enjoyed the night as much as we did.
A big thank you to our special Guests:
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Ali Telford, Charlotte Guscott Gregory from Tennis NZ,
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Rohan West, Mark Lewis and Howard Lewis from Tennis Auckland,
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Sarah Powrie and Angus McPhee from Ōrākei Local Board.
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Thank you to all of our Sponsors that have supported us in 2025:
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A big thank you to:
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Head Coach: Nelson Cuellar and all of the Coaching team at Tennis One - New Zealand;
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President: Alice Skidmore, Club Manager: Lara Boyd;
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Committee Members: Jeremy Medlin; Stephen Coulthard; Vaughan Podbielski; Alana Podbielski; Gene Armstrong; Sandra Lawton and
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The long list of Volunteers that have supported us throughout 2025!
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Finally, thank you to everyone who helped make the night happen:
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MC: Vaughan Podbielski
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Food: Alana Podbielski
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Decorations: Gene Armstong, Sandra Lawton
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Photos: Stephen Coulthard
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Bar: Julien Delmarle, Karen Delmarle
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WAITANGI DAY
At the time of writing this, our Waitangi Day Club Social Night was in play.
We look forward to sharing highlights with you in our next newsletter.
Wishing everyone a united and enjoyable Waitangi Day long weekend.
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4. Interclub
SENIOR, JUNIOR, MIDWEEK & TWILIGHT INTERCLUB
All Interclub competitions will resume from Saturday 14 February.
Please note, Junior Post-Christmas and Midweek Summer interclub Draws were expected to be ready in late January. Whilst the Midweek Draw has just been released the Junior Draw has been delayed due to increasing challenges in scheduling courts due to the increasing number of teams each season. We hope to see the Draw published soon.
Meanwhile, Junior and Senior Captains please ensure that you have contacted your Teams to coordinate Player availability and playing schedule accordingly.
Senior Captains will be contacted next week to confirm the issuance of Balls. Should any Junior Teams be in need of replacement Balls please get in touch.
Good luck for the rest of the summer competition.
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5. Coaching
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NEW HIGH PERFORMANCE COACH AND SQUAD
Tennis One New Zealand are pleased to introduce a new High Performance Coach. Alejandro Viedma and launch the High Performance Squad (HPS): Your Path to Excellence.
Alejandro is a highly accomplished former college tennis student-athlete and certified expert in strength, conditioning, and exercise physiology.
With a Master's in Exercise and Nutrition Science from the University of Tampa and a Bachelor's in Exercise Physiology from Ave Maria University (GPA 3.58), Alejandro brings a wealth of knowledge in nutrition, exercise assessment, and performance optimization. He's fluent in Spanish, English, and Portuguese, making him an exceptional communicator for our diverse community.
Alejandro is a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) from the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA); Exercise Physiologist Certification (EP) from the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) and Former NAIA college tennis player at Ave Maria University.
His professional experience includes coaching at Saddlebrook International Sports, where he served as both Tennis Coach and Strength & Conditioning Coach for high-level academy players, including former top 33 ATP player Jenson Brooksby and a top 685 ATP athlete, as well as Assistant Coach for the University of Tampa Women's Tennis team (NCAA DII). He's traveled as a coach to national and international tournaments, including ITF juniors and Futures events.
Alejandro is the perfect fit to lead our players through challenges with responsibility, proactivity, and a no-excuses mindset.
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The High Performance Squad is a brand-new program dedicated to transforming intermediate-level players into national-level competitors. This elite squad is for those ready to commit fully, striving for outstanding results with unwavering determination.
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COACHING PROGRAMMES
Tennis One have issued their new schedule of Coaching Programmes for Term 1 2026.
Please take a look at: TennisOneNZ.
Tennis One will also be hosting another Fiji Camp in August. If you are interested in joining please let them know ASAP so you don't miss out!
You can also see all of Tennis One's Programmes via their Monthly Newsletter.
If you're not on the regular distribution or have any questions for Nelson, you can email him here: coach@missionbaytennis.co.nz
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FIJI TENNIS CAMP
The Fiji Tennis Camp for 2026 is on and players of ALL levels — beginners, intermediate, advanced players, adults, kids, friends, and even guests joining us from overseas — are invited to an unforgettable tennis adventure in paradise.
📍 Location: 5-Star Sheraton Fiji Golf & Beach Resort
📅 Dates: 9 – 14 July
✨ Package:
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5-star luxury accommodation at Sheraton Fiji
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Return flights from Auckland to Fiji
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Daily breakfast
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Daily tennis training:
– Morning session: 1.5 hours
– Evening session: 1.5 hours
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One full rest day to relax and enjoy paradise
Places are limited. If you are interested please contact Tennis One.
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6. Reminders
Please be reminded of our some of our Club Policies at: Reminders
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