Tennis club rallies for young player
The tennis prowess and commitment of emerging junior tennis ace Boaz Mellor has the Taupo¯ Tennis Club rallying for support.
A fundraising effort is now underway to help Boaz, 14, in his quest for tennis stardom.
Boaz has been selected for a National Junior Teams Event in Christchurch, from January 17 to 20, representing Waikato Bays in the 14 years and under team. He is the first local junior player in recent history to compete at this level and the only player from the region. His next tournament will be the Waikato Anzac Junior Open in April.
A pupil at Taupo¯-nui-a-Tia College, Boaz has been playing tennis from an early age and was the Bay of Plenty representative player for age groups 10 years and 12 years and under. He recently won the Hawkes Bay Junior Open followed by the Rotorua Junior Tournament. According to his mother Daina, Boaz’s goal for 2017 was to play at a New Zealand ranking of S9 but he convincingly outdid that goal by attaining S7.
His longer-term plan is set at five years and includes securing a tennis scholarship at an American university.
Taupo¯ Tennis club committee member, master chocolatier and owner of Huka Falls Chocolate Factory, Paul Brazier has created a chocolate raffle to assist with fundraising for the family.
“Boaz and his dad are popular members of the club and it’s great to see his talent develop. The Huka Falls Chocolate Factory raffle is one way we can really get behind him over the busy summer tournament season when travel costs add up.”
Lacking competition in his own age group, Boaz is a regular at the club’s senior shield and tournament events.
His ability keeps players 40 and 50 years older than him on their toes and typically, he wins.
Taupo¯ Tennis shield player and LX Painters owner Alex MacGougan contacted Penny Homes managing director John Penny, who has also made a significant donation.
“It’s all about being and acting like a club and making some connections when needed,” said Mr MacGougan.
Boaz’s main coach over the years has been his father Andy Mellor who was also a representative player and is Taupo¯ Tennis Club’s current and long-term champion.
Mr Mellor is planning a mini challenge and tennis-a-thon as another fundraiser in the New Year.
When Boaz isn’t training or attending to his school work he works part time at L’Arte Cafe´ and Gallery in Mapara Rd and volunteers to help Taupo¯ Tennis Club Coach Kris Martin with other up and coming juniors.
Taupo¯ Tennis Club has gone through a resurgence over the last year and recently a further three courts were covered in astro turf.