Strong showing by junior tennis squad

An 18-member Cook Islands junior tennis squad made a big impression at the week-long Waikato Junior Tennis Championships in New Zealand.

The five-day competition ended yesterday after intense rivalry between nearly 300 elite juniors from all around New Zealand and from Samoa, French Polynesia and Australia.

Under 18 player Lillian Maui scored the best result by winning the highest age group competition and qualifying for the Pacific Ocean All Stars team.

All players endured up to three matches a day across 10 hours of competition at Hamiltons Tennis Centre where three indoor courts and about 15 outdoor courts provided a grand venue for the tournament. Some matches went as long as 90 minutes.

About a dozen parents plus New Zealand relatives of local players provided a cheer and support squad for the juniors, boosting their confidence, praising their efforts and providing support at times of emotional pressure and exhaustion.

Nine of the 18 Cooks players are aged between eight and 10, competing in the youngest categories for under 10s and under 12s. This group comprised five girls and four boys Zsaleya Sword-Tua (8), Eva Patai (9), Manamea Koteka (9), Tiamai Koteka (10), Te-Iva Arama (8), Kave Nia (8) and Robert Healey (9), Leandro Vakatini (10) and Elijah Amataiti (10).

Coach Malcolm Kajer said the experience was invaluable for the younger children in exposing them to tough competition and giving them a chance to see how hard they must train and learning what not to do.

Te-Iva Arama achieved the best result among the younger girls. She was a finalist in the consolation draw and played four matches back to back between 11am and 6pm, but was worn out by the end and did not really get the chance to display her talents.

Elijah Amataiti also played four strong matches to make the third round of the quarter-finals. In his first overseas competition, Leandro Vakatini made the finals of the plate competition. There were problems with delays to start times and lack of numbers, meaning that individuals had to pair with players they did not know, and learn to improvise.

With three boys and three girls in the under 12s, most of the Cooks players on their second or third overseas tour, it was exciting for the team to see players make second and third rounds. Kiana Sword-Tua strongly won two games to make her quarter-final and beat the number seven seed, but then lose to the number two seed.

Boys Jack Woods, Andrew Terupe and Elijah Amataiti all went through to the quarter-finals of the plate draw, with Woods and Amataiti also making the doubles plate semi-final.

In the under 14s, Andrew Terupe showed promise and played above himself but nerves let him down in the end. Kiana Sword-Tua and Taylor Beddoes won the consolation doubles. This was the hardest age group with nearly 70 players taking part.

In the under 16s, Taylor Beddoes and Roland Neururer put in strong performances. Neururer made the singles quarters of the main draw, and was unlucky to be edged out as opportunities slipped away from his grasp. He also made the doubles quarter-finals. Beddoes showed great athleticism to play three rounds in the consolation draw.

In the under 18s, Maui, Neururer and Fred Pickering were all strong competitors, Pickering making the consolation semi-final.