Tangaroa trophies for all junior tennis teams

The Nikao Tennis Centre became celebration central as tennis players from the Cook Islands, American Samoa, Samoa and Tonga were honoured for a wonderful week of junior tennis.

Each regional team that took part in the week-long East Pacific Tennis Tournament was presented with a unique Cook Islands award – a Tangaroa trophy.

Players also received shell eis and a certificate for taking part in the tournament.

The top four players in each age grade – under 12, under 14 and under 16 – in both the boys and girls divisions have qualified for the up and coming Oceania Pacific Junior Tennis Tournament in Fiji to be played between July 22 and 30.

And the Cook Islands will be there in force after a highly successful campaign on court last week.

In fact, the Cook Islands took out the under 18 girls, under 18 boys, and under 14 boys division while Samoa took out the under 12 boys and under 14 girls division.

American Samoa were the champions in the under 12 girls while Tonga’s small team were a constant danger.

The local players are expected back on court this week where they will be polishing up some of their new found skills and techniques from the recent tournament as they get ready for the Fiji tournament later this month.