Tennis in New Zealand ranges from grassroots community clubs to emerging talent on the international circuit. Clubs, centres, and schools need funding for courts, equipment, coaching, and development programmes. This guide covers the key funding sources for tennis organisations in New Zealand.
Tennis New Zealand (TNZ) is the national governing body and receives Sport NZ investment.
Key programmes:
- Club development: Funding and resources flowing through regional associations
- Hotshots programme: Junior tennis for primary school age players; delivered through clubs and schools
- Women's tennis: Investment in women's participation and coaching
- High performance pathways: Funding for competitive players and development academies
- Coaching development: Subsidies for coaching accreditation
Access: Most TNZ investment flows through regional tennis associations (e.g., Tennis Auckland, Tennis Canterbury). Contact your regional association for available funding.
Sport NZ funds Tennis New Zealand and through regional sport trusts supports community tennis.
Tū Manawa Active Aotearoa Fund is accessible to community sport and recreation organisations, including tennis clubs delivering inclusive programmes.
Gaming trusts are a primary funding source for community tennis clubs across New Zealand.
Key trusts:
- New Zealand Community Trust (NZCT)
- The Lion Foundation
- Pub Charity
- Pelorus Trust
- Regional gaming trusts
What gaming trusts fund for tennis:
- Racquets, balls, and equipment
- Net replacement and court accessories
- Court resurfacing contributions
- Junior development programmes (Hotshots and club programmes)
- Lighting for evening play
- Transport to inter-club competitions
The Lottery Grants Board funds sport facilities and programmes.
For tennis:
- Court resurfacing and facility improvements
- Equipment grants
- Programme development
Court projects — one of the biggest capital needs for tennis clubs — typically require multiple funders:
- Lottery Grants Board: Facility grants
- Local council: Infrastructure and sport facility support
- Gaming trusts: Contributions to court projects
- Tennis New Zealand: Guidance and possible co-investment
Outdoor hard courts and enclosed facilities have different funding requirements. Engaging your local council early is important for significant court development projects.
New Zealand's regional sport trusts can help tennis clubs with:
- Connecting to local funding opportunities
- Capability and governance development
- Facilitating partnerships with schools and communities
Key RSTs: Aktive (Auckland), Sport Waikato, Sport BOP, Sport Wellington, Sport Canterbury, Sport Otago.
Schools can access tennis funding through:
- TNZ's Hotshots programme: Delivered in schools through regional associations
- Ministry of Education: Sport facilities funding
- Gaming trusts: Equipment for school tennis programmes
- Regional sport trusts: School sport development programmes
Regional philanthropic funders may support tennis through sport and recreation funding:
- Foundation North (Auckland)
- Community Trust South
- Nikau Foundation (Wellington)
- Toi Foundation (Bay of Plenty)
Many New Zealand communities have public tennis courts managed by councils. These are typically funded through:
- Local council budgets: Ongoing maintenance
- Lottery Grants Board: Court upgrades and improvements
- Gaming trusts: Equipment and minor improvements
Tennis clubs who manage or lease council courts may be eligible to apply on behalf of the courts they maintain.
Strong tennis grant applications demonstrate:
- Community access: Open to all, not just members
- Junior development: Youth participation is highly valued
- Inclusion: Programmes for Māori, Pasifika, and lower-income communities
- Club sustainability: Evidence of active membership, sound governance
- Specific use of funds: Detailed budget with justification
Tahua's grants management platform helps sport organisations track grant applications, manage reporting requirements, and build the data that funders want to see.