MEDIACOM-RELEASE-WEL-TRUST
WEL TRUST SERVES UP $35000 TO ATP CHALLENGER TOUR
WEL Trust today confirmed a $35,000 grant to the Gallagher International ATP Challenger Tennis Tour, opening the way
for more world class tennis in the Waikato.
Announcing the Challenger ATP Tour deal today, Trust Chairman Don Bethune said the tournament will bring many of the
world's future top ranking tennis players to Hamilton.
The grant consolidates the Trust's role as a major backer of Hamilton events, following its announcement earlier this
week of a $150,000 sponsorship of the Balloons Over Waikato Festival.
Running from 18-26 March, the ATP Challenger Tour will see the world's emerging tennis players do battle.
Tournament director Tony Morgan promises the ATP Challenger Tour event will provide high quality, entertaining tennis
for spectators.
"These players are talented, hungry, and on the way up - they're tomorrow's potential grand slam champions," he said.
Entries include New Zealand's number one singles player, Mark Neilsen who is seeded seventh, and another 24 players with
world rankings between 100-450.
The event also gives talented young New Zealanders a unique opportunity to qualify for a world ranking.
It is the first international tennis event of this kind to be staged in New Zealand in five years, and organisers hope
to secure Hamilton a place on the world circuit.
Other major tournament sponsors include Gallagher Group, Hamilton City Council, Adidas, Novotel and Craig and Co.
The tournament runs from March 18-26 at the Waikato Tennis Centre, Dey Street, Hamilton.
MEDIA RELEASE FROM WEL TRUST
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