March 14, 2025 • 9 mins
It's finals day at the Renouf Centre for the Wellington men's and women's premier interclub tennis competitions.
Adam Cooper was joined by Miramar men's captain Shane Binnie to look ahead to their final against reigning champions Avalon.
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Speaker 1 (00:00):
The weekend's finally here, let's kick it off Wellington's All.
Speaker 2 (00:03):
Sport Breakfast with Adam Cooper and Rutherford and Bond Toyota
and King Toyota on News Talks b twenty one and
Away from nine here on the All Sport Breakfast, well
It's finals day of the Premieer inter Club Tennis season
today across Wellington. It all gets underway on the indoor
courts at the rend Off Center from for this afternoon.
Free entry for anyone that wants to head it and
have a lot can. Both the men's and women's finals
(00:24):
are kicking off side by side at the same time,
and the women's final for the Ever Travers Memorial Cup
it's Thornton taking on Sheridan Park and the men's for
the Jack Taylor Shield it's the reigning champions Avalon up
against the in form Mirama. So we're going to take
a bit of a closer look at that men's match now.
Miramar are undefeated post Christmas so through twenty twenty five
(00:47):
so far that included a win over today's opponent's Avalon
during this last half of the season. Avalon, though obviously
one of the form teams as well, they won twenty
three out of their last twenty five matches, including last
year Grand Final and they had a win over Mirimmah
and the pre Christmas part of the season, so pretty
riveting matchup. We go into the Mirramar camp now and
(01:07):
player captain manager does it all. Shane Binny is with us.
Morning to you, Shane. Always an exciting day counting down
to Finals day, isn't it. I imagine there'd be a
fair bit of confidence in the team ahead of this one.
Speaker 1 (01:20):
Yeah, cheer that. Today's a big day for the club
and a big day for the players. Any Grand final
days brings a certain amount of excitement amongst the squad.
And that's to answer your question around that. Yeah, the
squad is really really has been really pumped for this.
We've had a really good post Christmas season. The culture
(01:40):
and amongst the squad is right at the top level.
We're out there a few times a week training out
at Merrima. We've had some great weather and the boys
are just ready to go. We had a final tune
up last night and yeah, we're looking forward to it.
Speaker 2 (01:56):
And through the season. Is that a regular commitment getting
together a few times a week presumably and evenings outside
of your work time or does it just pick up
a little bit more around now come playoff time.
Speaker 1 (02:07):
Well, no, we try to keep everything the same. But
I look, you know, we've had a great you know
Jan and February into March weather, so it makes it
very easy to get out there. Obviously, there's plenty of
ten us on TV with the Ausio Open just gone
to everyone. You know, the whole community is actually actually
out there. So when it comes to the top flight,
(02:28):
the lads and all the girls out there playing are
really sort of hitting their straps now and getting out there.
You're preparing for their respective inter club and it's really
great to have, you know, a forward our way to
the final.
Speaker 2 (02:45):
Yeah, and you've known for a while they have a
lot will be your opponents. Well, you've known for a
couple of weeks. Now. Do you spend a lot of
time looking at the individual matchups on paper as a
team or do a lot of that work individually or
do you kind of just you know, keep at your
training like like you have and consistent rights to see that.
Speaker 1 (03:02):
Yeah, during the week, we we are preparing individually, looking
after our own skills and work ons. But yeah, we're
always we always as a as a captain, always got
one eye on the competition and tennis is a unique
game and in a rubber you are effectively it's just
a series of matchups. So on any given day, those
(03:26):
matchups can can swing it or favor or actually go
against you. So at the end of in a singles match,
it's just manoo one on one. So look, it does
come down to matchups. So when we get to the
point end of the season, you know selection is actually
you know can be based on who you're going to
(03:48):
be facing. At the same time you can't sometimes do
anything about it. So you are putting your your best
foot forward in the best players out there and you
know trusting them that they are going to get you
over the line. So it's really satisfying as a team
to win the team and you reach this position.
Speaker 2 (04:08):
Yeah great. And speaking of your team, Finlay Hall's been
your number one through a lot of the season. He's
of course touring around on the ITF circuit in between
his interclub commitments. He obviously had a good run of
results pre Christmas in front of home fans of the
Wellington Tennis Open as well. Then on Avalon's side, they
have Victor Ramiro, of course, a former ATP ranked player,
(04:30):
came to New Zealand about a decade ago. Nice for
both sides, I guess to have had these guys play
at the end club level. For you guys through the.
Speaker 1 (04:36):
Season, oh absolutely, you know, it's great to have the
very best players out there week in week out. Look,
I've got utmost respect to the Avalon squad. They've been
one of the top teams in the competition for the
last number of the years. We often meet them at
(04:57):
this time of the year, which is has built a
fair bit of competition between the clubs. We are all
very respectful of each other. But the likes of Victor
Ramiro's former Davis Cup player from Mexico. He's got so
much skills, so you know, he can put the ball
anywhere and as one of the most skillful players that
(05:20):
we'll find here in New Zealand. Hello Victor, We've got
Mark Pollock who is a Wellington legend, and they will
face the Fires battle later in the final.
Speaker 2 (05:33):
Yeah, okay, well they are your opponents and how they
line up? What about your team? Shane tell us about
Miramar in the Big Final. The lineup and I guess
what strengths you host hoped to bring to the big
decided later on.
Speaker 1 (05:43):
Yeah, Well, unfortunately, with any season, you know, it is
a big squad that we have to work with and
not everyone's available. With Finley Hall is that unfortunately not
available for this weekend because he is overseas playing some
of the challenger circuits following his professional career to try
to crack into those circuits. But we will be relying
(06:04):
on our what we've always done the season, lying on
our full squad. We've got Tommy Avery, a young nineteen
year old. He'll be number one for us and he
will be gunning to have a crack at someone like Victor.
Tommy is first year into university, so young, fresh, ready
to go, eager, So that'll be a really interesting dynamic there.
(06:28):
Another highlight for us are our two what we call
twin towers. We've got two close to seven foot players,
both left handed, which is very unique, and that's Ronan
Avery and torburn Otway. Both provide a very unique challenge
for regular right handed players. We've team those two up
(06:50):
for the doubles and they have proven a handful for
their opposition this year, not not dropping a game.
Speaker 2 (06:57):
Wow, Yeah, very impressive. All right. How much does the
tame enjoy just being part of Finals day in general
under the roof at the renof Center of course, hopefully
a bit of noise and energy echoing around with the
women's final being played at the exact same time as well.
Speaker 1 (07:10):
Yeah, we hope everyone does. You know, all our supporters
comes down and gets behind us. We've got a big
club contingent joining us, so that will always create an
additional atmosphere to what is already an exciting prospect of
playing in a final, but being playing indoors. Look, it's
a special place to Tennis Center that it always has
(07:30):
been for a number of years. But you're indoors, perfect
condition and abtelutely perfect setting for a Grand final.
Speaker 2 (07:38):
Yea great. And Shane, I know you're involved in the
administration side of Tennis Central as well. Can you give
us a bit of an insight into I guess where
the sport's at, Aaron Wellington, in terms of player numbers,
in terms of quality you've seen out there on the
courts this season. I guess it's an interesting time for
tennis because a lot of other racket sports like purcle
ball and paddle are gaining a bit of traction as well.
Speaker 1 (07:59):
Yeah. Look, like all community sports, you know, it is
a challenge to people to the game and see that
pipeline from the grassroots and June level. But what we
are also seeing is a bit of an explosion, you know,
especially as you mentioned pickleball and played indoors and it's
low impact and it's a new sport, quite easy to
(08:21):
pick up and also more dynamic, more active racket abbreviated
game in paddel it's just opened up and wrong Atsigh,
these are all I think a fantastic for the sport
of tennis. It gets you know, rackets into people's hands
and people can you know, uh pick them up quickly
(08:44):
that can then lead them to the tennis boot and
graduate into the biggest format of the game. And so look,
I personally do support all forms of racket, all sports
and encourage help the whole thing. So if people are
out there playing, that's all good by me.
Speaker 2 (09:03):
Yeah, I totally agree. Well, Shane, watching you and the
mirror of our team all the very best for Finals
day today taking on a tough Avalon team who are
the reigning champions. I hope it's a great day at
the Renef Center for the whole tennis community coming together
and enjoying Finals day. So go well and all the
very best. Thanks for your time this morning.
Speaker 1 (09:20):
Thank you, Adam. Cheers for more from News Talks, ed B.
Speaker 2 (09:23):
Listen live on air or online, and keep our shows
with you wherever you go with our podcasts on IR Radio.
The weekend's finally here, let's kick it off Wellington's All.
Speaker 2 (00:03):
Sport Breakfast with Adam Cooper and Rutherford and Bond Toyota
and King Toyota on News Talks b twenty one and
Away from nine here on the All Sport Breakfast, well
It's finals day of the Premieer inter Club Tennis season
today across Wellington. It all gets underway on the indoor
courts at the rend Off Center from for this afternoon.
Free entry for anyone that wants to head it and
have a lot can. Both the men's and women's finals
(00:24):
are kicking off side by side at the same time,
and the women's final for the Ever Travers Memorial Cup
it's Thornton taking on Sheridan Park and the men's for
the Jack Taylor Shield it's the reigning champions Avalon up
against the in form Mirama. So we're going to take
a bit of a closer look at that men's match now.
Miramar are undefeated post Christmas so through twenty twenty five
(00:47):
so far that included a win over today's opponent's Avalon
during this last half of the season. Avalon, though obviously
one of the form teams as well, they won twenty
three out of their last twenty five matches, including last
year Grand Final and they had a win over Mirimmah
and the pre Christmas part of the season, so pretty
riveting matchup. We go into the Mirramar camp now and
(01:07):
player captain manager does it all. Shane Binny is with us.
Morning to you, Shane. Always an exciting day counting down
to Finals day, isn't it. I imagine there'd be a
fair bit of confidence in the team ahead of this one.
Speaker 1 (01:20):
Yeah, cheer that. Today's a big day for the club
and a big day for the players. Any Grand final
days brings a certain amount of excitement amongst the squad.
And that's to answer your question around that. Yeah, the
squad is really really has been really pumped for this.
We've had a really good post Christmas season. The culture
(01:40):
and amongst the squad is right at the top level.
We're out there a few times a week training out
at Merrima. We've had some great weather and the boys
are just ready to go. We had a final tune
up last night and yeah, we're looking forward to it.
Speaker 2 (01:56):
And through the season. Is that a regular commitment getting
together a few times a week presumably and evenings outside
of your work time or does it just pick up
a little bit more around now come playoff time.
Speaker 1 (02:07):
Well, no, we try to keep everything the same. But
I look, you know, we've had a great you know
Jan and February into March weather, so it makes it
very easy to get out there. Obviously, there's plenty of
ten us on TV with the Ausio Open just gone
to everyone. You know, the whole community is actually actually
out there. So when it comes to the top flight,
(02:28):
the lads and all the girls out there playing are
really sort of hitting their straps now and getting out there.
You're preparing for their respective inter club and it's really
great to have, you know, a forward our way to
the final.
Speaker 2 (02:45):
Yeah, and you've known for a while they have a
lot will be your opponents. Well, you've known for a
couple of weeks. Now. Do you spend a lot of
time looking at the individual matchups on paper as a
team or do a lot of that work individually or
do you kind of just you know, keep at your
training like like you have and consistent rights to see that.
Speaker 1 (03:02):
Yeah, during the week, we we are preparing individually, looking
after our own skills and work ons. But yeah, we're
always we always as a as a captain, always got
one eye on the competition and tennis is a unique
game and in a rubber you are effectively it's just
a series of matchups. So on any given day, those
(03:26):
matchups can can swing it or favor or actually go
against you. So at the end of in a singles match,
it's just manoo one on one. So look, it does
come down to matchups. So when we get to the
point end of the season, you know selection is actually
you know can be based on who you're going to
(03:48):
be facing. At the same time you can't sometimes do
anything about it. So you are putting your your best
foot forward in the best players out there and you
know trusting them that they are going to get you
over the line. So it's really satisfying as a team
to win the team and you reach this position.
Speaker 2 (04:08):
Yeah great. And speaking of your team, Finlay Hall's been
your number one through a lot of the season. He's
of course touring around on the ITF circuit in between
his interclub commitments. He obviously had a good run of
results pre Christmas in front of home fans of the
Wellington Tennis Open as well. Then on Avalon's side, they
have Victor Ramiro, of course, a former ATP ranked player,
(04:30):
came to New Zealand about a decade ago. Nice for
both sides, I guess to have had these guys play
at the end club level. For you guys through the.
Speaker 1 (04:36):
Season, oh absolutely, you know, it's great to have the
very best players out there week in week out. Look,
I've got utmost respect to the Avalon squad. They've been
one of the top teams in the competition for the
last number of the years. We often meet them at
(04:57):
this time of the year, which is has built a
fair bit of competition between the clubs. We are all
very respectful of each other. But the likes of Victor
Ramiro's former Davis Cup player from Mexico. He's got so
much skills, so you know, he can put the ball
anywhere and as one of the most skillful players that
(05:20):
we'll find here in New Zealand. Hello Victor, We've got
Mark Pollock who is a Wellington legend, and they will
face the Fires battle later in the final.
Speaker 2 (05:33):
Yeah, okay, well they are your opponents and how they
line up? What about your team? Shane tell us about
Miramar in the Big Final. The lineup and I guess
what strengths you host hoped to bring to the big
decided later on.
Speaker 1 (05:43):
Yeah, Well, unfortunately, with any season, you know, it is
a big squad that we have to work with and
not everyone's available. With Finley Hall is that unfortunately not
available for this weekend because he is overseas playing some
of the challenger circuits following his professional career to try
to crack into those circuits. But we will be relying
(06:04):
on our what we've always done the season, lying on
our full squad. We've got Tommy Avery, a young nineteen
year old. He'll be number one for us and he
will be gunning to have a crack at someone like Victor.
Tommy is first year into university, so young, fresh, ready
to go, eager, So that'll be a really interesting dynamic there.
(06:28):
Another highlight for us are our two what we call
twin towers. We've got two close to seven foot players,
both left handed, which is very unique, and that's Ronan
Avery and torburn Otway. Both provide a very unique challenge
for regular right handed players. We've team those two up
(06:50):
for the doubles and they have proven a handful for
their opposition this year, not not dropping a game.
Speaker 2 (06:57):
Wow, Yeah, very impressive. All right. How much does the
tame enjoy just being part of Finals day in general
under the roof at the renof Center of course, hopefully
a bit of noise and energy echoing around with the
women's final being played at the exact same time as well.
Speaker 1 (07:10):
Yeah, we hope everyone does. You know, all our supporters
comes down and gets behind us. We've got a big
club contingent joining us, so that will always create an
additional atmosphere to what is already an exciting prospect of
playing in a final, but being playing indoors. Look, it's
a special place to Tennis Center that it always has
(07:30):
been for a number of years. But you're indoors, perfect
condition and abtelutely perfect setting for a Grand final.
Speaker 2 (07:38):
Yea great. And Shane, I know you're involved in the
administration side of Tennis Central as well. Can you give
us a bit of an insight into I guess where
the sport's at, Aaron Wellington, in terms of player numbers,
in terms of quality you've seen out there on the
courts this season. I guess it's an interesting time for
tennis because a lot of other racket sports like purcle
ball and paddle are gaining a bit of traction as well.
Speaker 1 (07:59):
Yeah. Look, like all community sports, you know, it is
a challenge to people to the game and see that
pipeline from the grassroots and June level. But what we
are also seeing is a bit of an explosion, you know,
especially as you mentioned pickleball and played indoors and it's
low impact and it's a new sport, quite easy to
(08:21):
pick up and also more dynamic, more active racket abbreviated
game in paddel it's just opened up and wrong Atsigh,
these are all I think a fantastic for the sport
of tennis. It gets you know, rackets into people's hands
and people can you know, uh pick them up quickly
(08:44):
that can then lead them to the tennis boot and
graduate into the biggest format of the game. And so look,
I personally do support all forms of racket, all sports
and encourage help the whole thing. So if people are
out there playing, that's all good by me.
Speaker 2 (09:03):
Yeah, I totally agree. Well, Shane, watching you and the
mirror of our team all the very best for Finals
day today taking on a tough Avalon team who are
the reigning champions. I hope it's a great day at
the Renef Center for the whole tennis community coming together
and enjoying Finals day. So go well and all the
very best. Thanks for your time this morning.
Speaker 1 (09:20):
Thank you, Adam. Cheers for more from News Talks, ed B.
Speaker 2 (09:23):
Listen live on air or online, and keep our shows
with you wherever you go with our podcasts on IR Radio.
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