1. Entry, Eligibility & Fees
Who is eligible to enter the SIVTTF Festival?
Entry is open to all tennis players aged 30 and over as of the tournament dates. Players of all standards from throughout New Zealand South Island are warmly welcomed — from casual club doubles players to top competitive masters!
How much is the player entry fee and what does it include?
The entry fee for the 36th Festival Edition (2026 Ashburton) is $50.00 NZD per player. This includes:
- Guaranteed 9 tournament ties across 3 days (28, 29 & 30 December).
- Continuous complimentary tea, coffee, and daily morning and afternoon teas provided by the host club.
- High-grade tournament match balls for every rubber.
- Eligibility for official tournament trophies, medals, certificates, and the traditional Wooden Spoon award.
Why is there an acceptance cap of 40 Men and 40 Women?
To guarantee 10 perfectly balanced 8-player teams (4 men and 4 women each) across the 3-day draw, acceptance is strictly limited to the first 40 women and first 40 men whose completed entry forms and payments are received.
Subsequent entries are placed on an active Reserve List and notified promptly if any player withdraws.
When do entries close?
Official entries for the 36th Edition close on Wednesday, 18 November 2026 (or earlier as soon as the 40 Men / 40 Women quota is filled). Early registration is strongly recommended to guarantee your spot.
What is the cancellation and refund policy?
Players who withdraw prior to 1 December will receive a full refund less a $5.00 administration fee. For withdrawals after 1 December, refunds are granted at the discretion of the Organising Committee, provided a suitable replacement reserve player is available.
Can I enter using a paper form instead of online?
Yes, paper entries are accepted. You can download the official Word document entry form, complete it, and email it to the committee at sivtfestival@gmail.com.
2. Teams, Grading & Tournament Format
Are the matches competitive, and do results count towards the WTN ranking?
No. Matches are purely social and friendly — results will NOT go into the WTN (World Tennis Number) ranking system or be published live anywhere.
The festival is dedicated to relaxed holiday fun, friendship, and great laughs with zero ranking pressure. While everyone enjoys having great rallies and spirited doubles on court, match scores are strictly internal for the festival draw and are not submitted to Tennis New Zealand or the ITF for WTN rating updates.
Can I enter with my own pre-formed team?
No. SIVTTF is a unique social holiday festival where all players enter as individuals. The central Organising Committee carefully hand-seeds players into a maximum of 10 balanced 8-player squads (4 men and 4 women per team). This format ensures close, enjoyable matches and builds lasting friendships across the South Island.
When and how are teams announced?
Team rosters and fun squad themes remain top secret until the Sunday Meet & Greet (27 December, 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM) at the host clubhouse. Players collect their tournament booklet, meet their teammates and Captain, and plan their team costumes!
How does the Grade 1 to 4 self-grading system work?
When completing your entry, you select one of four standard grades:
What does a Team Captain do, and what is the $60 allowance?
Team Captains coordinate court rotations, manage scorecards, and lead the team spirit. Each Team Captain receives a $60 team theme allowance to purchase fun costumes, hats, ribbons, or accessories for their squad to wear during matches and at the Festival Dinner!
What match scoring and tie format is played?
Each team plays 9 full ties across the 3 days (3 ties daily on 28, 29 & 30 December). Each tie consists of Men’s Doubles, Women’s Doubles, and Mixed Doubles rubbers, timed to keep play smooth and on schedule.
3. Schedule, Dinner & Social Events
What is the full 4-day festival timetable?
- 27 Dec (4:00 PM – 6:00 PM): Meet & Greet, player check-in, secret team reveals, badge collection, and clubhouse social drinks.
- 28 Dec (8:30 AM – 5:30 PM): Tournament Day 1 (3 ties). SIVTTF Annual General Meeting (AGM) held at 8:30 AM.
- 29 Dec (8:45 AM – 5:30 PM & 6:30 PM Evening): Tournament Day 2 (3 ties). Official Festival Dinner & Quiz Night or Dancing.
- 30 Dec (8:45 AM – 3:30 PM): Tournament Day 3 (final 3 ties). Prizegiving, championship awards, Wooden Spoon presentation, and farewells.
Can non-playing partners attend the Festival Dinner & Quiz?
Yes! Non-playing partners, family, and supporters are warmly invited to attend the Festival Dinner & Quiz on Tuesday 29 December.
Tickets are $55.00 per person and can be booked directly on the online entry form.
What is the "Wooden Spoon" award?
A cherished festival tradition since the 1990s! The Wooden Spoon is playfully awarded at the final prizegiving to the last-placed team to celebrate their outstanding spirit, good humour, and perseverance throughout the 3-day tournament.
4. Payment & Administration
How do I pay for my entry, dinner tickets, and badges?
Payments are made by Direct Bank Transfer (Internet Banking) to our official society bank account:
- Bank: Westpac
- Account Name: South Island Veterans Tennis Teams Festival Inc
- Account Number:
03-0830-0124213-00 - Particulars:
2026 Entry - Reference: Your
Full Name
Are commemorative badges available to purchase?
Yes. Official embroidered commemorative cloth badges are produced each year and available for $10.00 each on the entry form. They make wonderful festival keepsakes!
5. Host Clubs & Future Venues
Which towns and venues host the festival?
SIVTTF rotates across prominent South Island tennis communities, alternatevly between grass courts and hard courts:
- 2026 (36th Edition): Ashburton Tennis Centre (Hard Court)
- 2027 (37th Edition): Christchurch (Hard, Astro & Grass)
- Core Rotation Hubs: Ashburton, Blenheim, Christchurch, Timaru, and Oamaru.
How can our tennis club apply to host the festival?
South Island tennis clubs with 8 to 12 playable courts can submit an Expression of Interest at Host the Festival.
SIVTTF provides a guaranteed $2,000 hosting grant, complete tournament draw sheets, match balls, and prizes, while your host club retains 100% of all bar and catering revenue!
6. Website, Technology & Support
Who designed and built the SIVTTF website?
The official SIVTTF website was designed, developed, and is maintained pro bono by Daniela Zavallone at SqualaDesign Ltd — completely free of charge!
As an active South Island tennis player and digital designer, SqualaDesign is proud to donate professional web development, hosting architecture, and digital forms to support the South Island Masters & Veterans tennis community.
What should I do if I experience a technical problem on the website?
If you encounter any technical glitch, display issue, or trouble with the online entry form, please reach out directly:
- Email Daniela at SqualaDesign: daniela@squaladesign.co.nz
- General Committee Enquiries: sivtfestival@gmail.com
We monitor website support closely and will assist you promptly to ensure your entry is processed without any hassle.
Is the website and entry form mobile-friendly?
Yes! The entire website, history archives, and online entry form are fully responsive and specifically optimised with large fonts and high-contrast buttons for smartphones, iPads/tablets, and desktop computers.
- Still Have Questions?
Our organising committee is always happy to help. Feel free to contact us directly or submit your online entry today.