Latest news with #TaurangaEventFund
Scoop
18-07-2025
- Sport
- Scoop
EVES Open Returns To Pāpāmoa For Its Fourth Year
Professional tennis returns to the Bay of Plenty this summer, with the World Tennis Tour once again taking place at the Pāpāmoa Tennis Club. Scheduled for 15-21 December 2025, the EVES Open will bring together some of the world's best up-and-coming players, competing for official WTA and ATP ranking points and over $60,000 in prize money. Now in its fourth year, the tournament has become a fixture on the local Tauranga events calendar, marking the start of the summer and Christmas season. Pāpāmoa Ward Councillor Steve Morris says it's great to see the event return. 'Bringing world-class sport to Pāpāmoa is a real win for the city – and the fact it's free to attend makes it even better for our community. We're big fans of tennis here, with Tauranga leading the country in growth for both memberships and casual play.' 'Tauranga City Council is proud to support this event through the Tauranga Event Fund, which helps bring more arts, culture, and sporting experiences to life, making our city an even better place to live and visit.' 'The event's gone from strength to strength over the past few years, and it's fantastic to welcome an event of this calibre back to Pāpāmoa.' Players have often praised the EVES Open for its atmosphere and hospitality, with many calling it their favourite tournament at this level. Gareth Archer, Commercial and Marketing Manager for Tennis New Zealand, says the event is also vital for local athletes. 'Kiwi players have to travel far and wide to earn prize money and ranking points. Events like the EVES Open are crucial. They offer players the chance to compete on home soil, with the backing of a local crowd.' Last year, more than 40 New Zealanders competed in the men's and women's singles draws, alongside players from over 15 countries. This year's tournament will offer plenty for fans and families, including a junior school holiday programme and the NZ Wheelchair Tennis Championships, which will be held alongside the main draw. The popular courtside hospitality tables will return, offering food and wine just metres from the action. Public entry is free all week, with great vantage points from the grass banks around the courts. Naming rights partner EVES Real Estate is again backing the event. 'This tournament is always a highlight of the summer, and EVES is thrilled to be back on board,' says Gabriella Troutbeck, GM Marketing & Communications at EVES. 'The level of tennis on display is incredible up close. Make sure you get along to check it out!' Along with EVES, the event is proudly supported by Tauranga City Council and TECT through their event funds, ensuring the tournament remains free for spectators.
Scoop
25-05-2025
- Sport
- Scoop
Under-20 Basketball Nationals Slam Into Tauranga
Press Release – Tauranga City Council Supported by Tauranga City Council through the Tauranga Event Fund, this Basketball New Zealand tournament gives representative-level players a final chance to compete at age-group level on the national stage. Tauranga's newest sports facility is set to host its first national tournament – and it's a slam dunk for local basketball fans. The Foot Locker Under 20 Basketball Nationals will take place over King's Birthday weekend, from 30 May to 2 June 2025, at the new University of Waikato Haumaru Sport and Recreation Centre. The former site of The Warehouse on Cameron Road was purchased by Tauranga City Council in early 2024 and has been converted into a multi-purpose sport and recreation centre featuring indoor sports courts. Supported by Tauranga City Council through the Tauranga Event Fund, this Basketball New Zealand tournament gives representative-level players a final chance to compete at age-group level on the national stage. It brings together young talent from across the country – including Kiwis returning from overseas – and is free for the public to attend. Bethlehem Ward Councillor Kevin Schuler, who helped officially open Haumaru earlier this month, says the tournament is a great opportunity for the city and community. 'We're proud to support the U20 National Basketball event through the Tauranga Event Fund. National sporting events like this strengthen our community by providing opportunities for connection, participation, and inspiration, especially for our younger generations. 'Basketball continues to grow rapidly in Aotearoa, and hosting this national competition shows we're serious about being a city that supports youth development. 'Hosting national sporting events such as this also attracts visitors and wider economic benefits for Tauranga and helps raise our profile as a great host city – so it's a win-win for everyone. 'This new facility right in the heart of Tauranga is already proving its worth by being able to host this event and sets the stage for an exciting long weekend of sport. It really is going to be something special. 'We also encourage visitors who are here for the event to take time to enjoy everything our city has to offer.' Basketball's rise in Tauranga has been remarkable. Since 2009, the number of teams registered with the Tauranga City Basketball Association has nearly quadrupled from 228 to an impressive 812 in 2024. Mark Rogers, General Manager of Tauranga City Basketball, says demand for court space has surged alongside the sport's popularity. 'We've seen huge growth over the past decade. Numbers grew steadily until 2023, when a lack of space began to hold us back. The addition of the Haumaru facility to the Council-owned network will open the door for further growth in the coming years.' The U20 Nationals are a key development event for players, referees and coaches across the country, and are gaining international recognition. The upcoming event will welcome 16 men's teams and 8 women's teams from across New Zealand, all of whom have earned their place through regional qualifiers. Referees are also hand-picked for their performance as part of national development pathways. Many athletes who compete will go on to secure college scholarships in the USA or professional contracts in Australia's National Basketball League and Women's National Basketball League. 'Currently, there are around 150 New Zealanders on college basketball scholarships in the USA, with the vast majority having played in the U20 Nationals in previous years,' says Jay Macdonald, Basketball New Zealand's Tournaments Lead. 'This year, some Tauranga players will be back from their college to represent Tauranga City Basketball Association.' Spectators who attend can expect fast-paced, high-quality basketball with many players coming from Sal's National Basketball League, G.J. Gardner Tauihi Basketball Aotearoa, and US college teams. Stu Stevenson, Head of Sport and Fitness at Bay Venues, says the tournament is a fitting way to mark the opening of the new facility. 'We are excited to be hosting the Foot Locker U20 Nationals basketball tournament at the newly opened centre. This event is particularly special for us as it will be the first tournament held at Haumaru. We look forward to welcoming some of the best young basketball players from across the country and providing them with a new venue to showcase their skills.' With seating for spectators and free public entry, the community is encouraged to come along and experience the energy, talent and passion of New Zealand's future basketball stars – right here in Tauranga.
Scoop
25-05-2025
- Sport
- Scoop
Under-20 Basketball Nationals Slam Into Tauranga
Tauranga's newest sports facility is set to host its first national tournament - and it's a slam dunk for local basketball fans. The Foot Locker Under 20 Basketball Nationals will take place over King's Birthday weekend, from 30 May to 2 June 2025, at the new University of Waikato Haumaru Sport and Recreation Centre. The former site of The Warehouse on Cameron Road was purchased by Tauranga City Council in early 2024 and has been converted into a multi-purpose sport and recreation centre featuring indoor sports courts. Supported by Tauranga City Council through the Tauranga Event Fund, this Basketball New Zealand tournament gives representative-level players a final chance to compete at age-group level on the national stage. It brings together young talent from across the country – including Kiwis returning from overseas – and is free for the public to attend. Bethlehem Ward Councillor Kevin Schuler, who helped officially open Haumaru earlier this month, says the tournament is a great opportunity for the city and community. 'We're proud to support the U20 National Basketball event through the Tauranga Event Fund. National sporting events like this strengthen our community by providing opportunities for connection, participation, and inspiration, especially for our younger generations. 'Basketball continues to grow rapidly in Aotearoa, and hosting this national competition shows we're serious about being a city that supports youth development. 'Hosting national sporting events such as this also attracts visitors and wider economic benefits for Tauranga and helps raise our profile as a great host city – so it's a win-win for everyone. 'This new facility right in the heart of Tauranga is already proving its worth by being able to host this event and sets the stage for an exciting long weekend of sport. It really is going to be something special. 'We also encourage visitors who are here for the event to take time to enjoy everything our city has to offer.' Basketball's rise in Tauranga has been remarkable. Since 2009, the number of teams registered with the Tauranga City Basketball Association has nearly quadrupled from 228 to an impressive 812 in 2024. Mark Rogers, General Manager of Tauranga City Basketball, says demand for court space has surged alongside the sport's popularity. 'We've seen huge growth over the past decade. Numbers grew steadily until 2023, when a lack of space began to hold us back. The addition of the Haumaru facility to the Council-owned network will open the door for further growth in the coming years.' The U20 Nationals are a key development event for players, referees and coaches across the country, and are gaining international recognition. The upcoming event will welcome 16 men's teams and 8 women's teams from across New Zealand, all of whom have earned their place through regional qualifiers. Referees are also hand-picked for their performance as part of national development pathways. Many athletes who compete will go on to secure college scholarships in the USA or professional contracts in Australia's National Basketball League and Women's National Basketball League. 'Currently, there are around 150 New Zealanders on college basketball scholarships in the USA, with the vast majority having played in the U20 Nationals in previous years,' says Jay Macdonald, Basketball New Zealand's Tournaments Lead. 'This year, some Tauranga players will be back from their college to represent Tauranga City Basketball Association.' Spectators who attend can expect fast-paced, high-quality basketball with many players coming from Sal's National Basketball League, G.J. Gardner Tauihi Basketball Aotearoa, and US college teams. Stu Stevenson, Head of Sport and Fitness at Bay Venues, says the tournament is a fitting way to mark the opening of the new facility. 'We are excited to be hosting the Foot Locker U20 Nationals basketball tournament at the newly opened centre. This event is particularly special for us as it will be the first tournament held at Haumaru. We look forward to welcoming some of the best young basketball players from across the country and providing them with a new venue to showcase their skills.' With seating for spectators and free public entry, the community is encouraged to come along and experience the energy, talent and passion of New Zealand's future basketball stars – right here in Tauranga.
NZ Herald
22-05-2025
- Entertainment
- NZ Herald
Project Hip Hop Dance Competition celebrates youth talent at Baypark
'Project was designed to provide an opportunity for entry-level dancers to experience a high-quality dance competition event to gain confidence to enter other national events,' Martin said. 'A full-circle moment for me this year is seeing Te Puke High School entering again for the first time in over a decade, led by their head of dance, Jennifer Cram, who was a student of mine back when it all began.' From humble beginnings at Baycourt in 2010 with just nine crews and 70 dancers, Project Hip Hop has become a major event on the national dance calendar. In 2024, the competition attracted 1004 dancers across 94 crews, drawing in more than 2400 spectators. This year, the event is set to be even bigger, with 102 crews registered. This event is supported by the Tauranga Event Fund, which helps fund arts, culture, and sporting events that enrich the city. Tauranga City Council venues and events manager Nelita Burne said the event was a great example of the creative, vibrant, and inclusive initiatives the fund aims to foster. 'We're proud to support events like Project Hip Hop. Dance - particularly hip hop - is a crossover between sport and culture, demanding the physicality and discipline of sport, alongside the creativity and storytelling of the arts. Events like this resonate with many young people in our city, reflecting their passions and giving them something positive to aim for.' Bay Venues head of events Amanda West said it was an occasion that truly reflects the power of youth-led expression. 'This event is a vibrant celebration of Aotearoa's street dance culture, bringing together talent, creativity, and community from across the motu. We're proud to host an event that uplifts young people and showcases the power of dance.' Long-time MC of the event Hadleigh Pouesi said Project's impact went far beyond the stage. 'Over the last 15 years, I've seen firsthand how this event shapes the dance industry and our wider community,' said Pouesi. She said it had launched careers and helped 'thousands of rangatahi [youth] unlock leadership, creativity, and confidence'. 'The kaupapa has never changed, it's about giving young people a platform to express themselves, challenge themselves, and feel empowered.' Saturday will feature beginner and school-age crews in the Primary, Junior Novice, Varsity Novice, and Mega School divisions. Sunday sees top open division crews compete in Junior, Mini, Varsity, Adult, and Mega Crew categories, with $22,000 in prize money. The details: When: Saturday, May 31, and Sunday, June 1
Scoop
13-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Scoop
Project Hip Hop - Empowering Young Dancers To Take The Stage
Project Hip Hop Dance Competition returns to Mercury Arena Baypark this King's Birthday Weekend, bringing more than 1,000 young dancers together from across Aotearoa for a two-day celebration of movement, music, and mana. Held on Saturday, 31 May and Sunday, 1 June, this high-energy dance competition gives young people the opportunity to grow, create, and express themselves - whether they're just starting out or competing at an elite level. Founder and event director Sarah Martin began this competition while teaching at Te Puke High School. At the time, her students didn't feel confident entering national dance competitions, so she created a platform where they could build their skills and self-belief. 'Project was designed to provide an opportunity for entry-level dancers to experience a high-quality dance competition event to gain confidence to enter other national events,' says Sarah. 'A full-circle moment for me this year is seeing Te Puke High School entering again for the first time in over a decade, led by their Head of Dance, Jennifer Cram, who was a student of mine back when it all began.' From humble beginnings at Baycourt in 2010 with just nine crews and 70 dancers, Project has grown and become a major event on the national dance calendar. In 2024, the competition attracted 1,004 dancers across 94 crews, drawing in more than 2,400 spectators. This year, the event is set to be even bigger, with 102 crews registered. This event is proudly supported by the Tauranga Event Fund, which supports arts, culture, and sporting events that enrich the city as a place to both live and visit, and reflect Tauranga's unique lifestyle and identity. Nelita Byrne, Manager of Venues and Events at Tauranga City Council, says the event is a great example of the creative, vibrant, and inclusive initiatives the fund aims to foster. 'We're proud to support events like Project Hip Hop. Dance - particularly hip hop - is a crossover between sport and culture, demanding the physicality and discipline of sport, alongside the creativity and storytelling of the arts. Events like this resonate with many young people in our city, reflecting their passions and giving them something positive to aim for.' Bay Venues Head of Events Amanda West says it's an occasion that truly reflects the power of youth-led expression. 'We're incredibly excited to welcome the Project Youth Hip Hop Dance Competition back to Mercury Baypark. This event is a vibrant celebration of Aotearoa's street dance culture, bringing together talent, creativity, and community from across the motu. We're proud to host an event that uplifts young people and showcases the power of dance.' Long-time MC of the event Hadleigh Pouesi says Project's impact goes far beyond the stage. 'Over the last 15 years, I've seen firsthand how this event shapes the dance industry and our wider community,' says Hadleigh. 'Project has launched the careers of international superstars, but it's also helped thousands of rangatahi unlock leadership, creativity, and confidence. The kaupapa has never changed, it's about giving young people a platform to express themselves, challenge themselves, and feel empowered.' Saturday will feature beginner and school-age crews in the Primary, Junior Novice, Varsity Novice, and Mega School divisions. Sunday sees top open division crews compete in Junior, Mini, Varsity, Adult, and Mega Crew categories, with $22,000 in prize money. To build the hype, a special preview performance will take place at the Tauranga Waterfront on Saturday, 17 May, as part of the Hoops on the Waterfront event with Whai Basketball. Local dance school Phoenix Performing Arts will be showcasing its talent, with dance crew Flame performing at 11am, followed by a short hip hop teaching session for the public. Sarah Martin says the success of Project Hip Hop comes down to a collective effort. 'I want to thank my whānau, who've been part of every event, my incredible event team; our sponsors, Tauranga City Council, TECT, Lion Foundation, Pub Charity, and Custom Tees; and the parents, caregivers, and teachers who give their all to support the next generation. And most importantly, the young people, for having the courage to show up, step up, and express themselves.' Event Details: Hoops on the Waterfront with Whai Basketball When: Saturday, 17 May, 10.30am to 12.30pm Where: Tauranga waterfront, basketball half-court. Project Hip Hop Dance Competition When: Saturday, 31 May & Sunday, 1 June 2025 Where: Mercury Arena Baypark, Mount Maunganui.
