While most children are relaxing during their school holidays, a dedicated group of primary school students from Apii Te Uki Ou are taking to the tennis courts to sharpen their skills and revive their passion for the sport.

Under the guidance of Malcolm Kajer, the national tennis head coach, these young athletes are using their break from the classroom to engage in intensive training sessions.

The aim is to not only improve their game but also instil discipline and a love for physical fitness.

Cook Islands News caught up with the coach and budding tennis stars at the National Tennis Courts in Nikao this week.

Coach Kajer, who has a wealth of experience in training young athletes, is thrilled with the progress and dedication of his young protégés. 

Under the guidance of head coach Malcolm Kajer, these young athletes are using their break from the classroom to engage in intensive training sessions. TALAIA MIKA/24072613

“It’s a school holiday tennis, it mainly involves the kids that have been active throughout the term because I had been away so we’re just trying to get them to do as much tennis because they’ve missed out on two weeks of tennis,” he said.

“Perhaps next week, we’re looking at doing a beginners grassroot, probably some four- to seven-year-olds and from nine to 10 for some new kids for the term.

“This is really just to get the regular kids back into it, who have been playing tennis for a few years now, to get them started again.”

For these young players, the benefits of the holiday training extend beyond the court.

The rigorous routine promotes teamwork, builds confidence, and fosters a sense of achievement, says Kajer.

“We just got back from Fiji with our junior team, we won two gold medals and three silver medals. It all revolves around this programme,” he added.

For these young players, the benefits of the holiday training extend beyond the court. TALAIA MIKA/24072615

“We’ve got some kids going to games in New Zealand, and of course we’ve got our female gold medallist (in that team) … she’s our champion.”

The national junior team had a standout performance at the 2024 Pacific Oceania Junior Championships held in Fiji earlier this month.

Raetea Rongo and Tekura Tamangaro, the Under 16 golden girls, were the toast of the national side.

Rongo had an outstanding tournament and took out the Under 16s Girls Singles Division in a nail-biting match, against Pauline Hyun of Papua New Guinea, 7/5, 6/7(5-7), 11-9, winning gold. She later teamed up with Tekura Tamangaro, taking out the U16 doubles title and gold medal, with a 6-2, 6-0 win over Mia Chang Yuk Shan of Tahiti and Latoya Fruen of American Samoa.

In the Boys Under 12s Division, which was played in a team format, Mareko Webb, Luca Rossouw and Evan Rennie-Moore earned silver medals.

In a “superb effort”, they fell short in a hard-fought battle 1-2 against Guam who claimed the top place.

The national team was led by head coach Kajer, with support from parents Marcelle Rossouw and Amber Rennie.