The National Senior Team has had another successful year with a fine Trans Tasman victory in Sydney over their Aussie counterparts. I have received many enquiries from individuals wanting to know what they needed to achieve to be considered for next years team.

Next years event will be held in Auckland and I would like to encourage all the competitive  ‘Over 60s’ to put their names forward for consideration for selection in the 6 man, 6 women National Senior Team.

To qualify you will need to be 60+ years of age by 31st January, 2010.

Players are required complete the Representation Registration Form and pay the $50 Registration Fee to PNZ by 31st July 2009.

In conjunction with the Open and Female Teams selection process, there will be a Skills Test for the Seniors held in the regions on 19th and/or 20th September, 2009 for everyone to complete.

The following tournaments will be the key events for individuals to perform well in relative to their peers. There is no requirement to play in them all but obviously the more consistent, positive performances one achieves; the likelihood of being selected will be enhanced.

• HB Classic Doubles - Napier

• National Doubles - Christchurch

• National Senior Doubles - Auckland

• Kapiti Open Doubles - Wellington

• NZ Open - Auckland

• HB Summer Doubles - Bay View, Napier

• South Island Doubles - Dunedin

Please note that strong performances in other Open and Regional competitions will also be beneficial towards selection but individuals will have to forward their results to me for consideration. Note that you will have to be 60+ years of age by 1 December to play in the National Seniors Championship. Individuals having their birthday after this date but before 31 January, 2010 will still qualify for selection.

The format for the senior section of the Trans Tasman Challenge will consist of men’s, women’s and mixed doubles and triples so competing in any of the listed tournaments as a mixed combination will not be a disadvantage. Also your partner does not necessarily have to be over sixty, except for the National Senior Doubles.

As can be confirmed by past and present national senior members, representing your sport and country is an experience to be cherished and even more so when you are jostling for Trans Tasman supremacy.

The team will be announced by 10th February, 2010.

Murray Porter

Senior Selector

July 2009