A 14-year-old aspiring professional tennis player from Tupapa has turned to late-night hustle and creativity to raise funds for a significant milestone in his sporting journey.

Charles-Trevor Woonton, a Nukutere College student, stayed up past midnight earlier this week to prepare healthy fruit packages for the Vaka Eiva Night Market on Monday. He sold the fruit packages with the help of his family to raise funds for his trip to Samoa for the East Pacific Qualifiers in February next year.

Speaking to Cook Islands News, Woonton explained his motivation, “We’re just fundraising, we’re selling fruits and salad. It’s for my tennis trip next year to Samoa for the East Pacific Regionals.”

The qualifier is a stepping stone for the talented young athlete and his team. A win in Samoa would secure them a spot in the regional tournament in Fiji in July 2024.

The teen’s offerings – fruits like mangoes mixed with Chinese lolly powder –were crafted with the Vaka Eiva crowd in mind.

“We just decided to sell fruits and stuff because of the people who are coming for the Vaka Eiva. They might want some protein or some fruit to eat, and it’s just something you just come and grab and go,” Woonton said.

It was a family effort with his parents and younger brother pitching in.

“I think it was definitely past midnight,” Woonton admitted of the long hours spent preparing for the market.  “A lot of hard work, and my mum, my dad, my brother all helped me as well.”

The teenager holds high aspirations, aiming for a career as a professional tennis player or a lawyer.

“You can achieve anything if and only if you love something enough,” he said, quoting one of his favourite sayings.

For now, his focus is on fundraising and ensuring he can represent the Cook Islands on the international stage.

Woonton was among over 10 vendors who participated in the Vaka Eiva Night Market, held at Maire Nui Park across from ANZ bank.

The 2024 Vaka Eiva paddling competition concludes today.