Rapaura’s South American connection

It is a long way from the clay courts of Buenos Aires to the grass courts of Rapaura - but Tomas Lupani Stewart-Usher is more than happy he made the journey.

The 38-year-old recently took on the head coaching role at the Rapaura Tennis Club, bringing a touch of South America to the leafy environs of the region’s only grass court complex.

Arriving in Marlborough in 2018, Tomas has been a familiar figure on, initially, the local football scene where he played many seasons for the Trojans club, then latterly on local tennis courts, both as an accomplished player and coach.

Born in Buenos Aires, where he says young boys are given a football soon after they are born, he played “the beautiful game” through most of his formative years.

Then, when he was 16, he began playing tennis with his brothers and immediately took to the game.

Despite being a handy player, good enough to compete in Futures tournaments, he was offered the opportunity to coach, although still in his teens. He accepted and spent almost 12 years in that fulltime role, mentoring both youngsters and older players.

After arriving in New Zealand in 2017, primarily to visit family, Tomas spent time in the North Island before landing a job at Indevin Marlborough, where he moved through the ranks from cellar hand to operations manager in seven years.

He was quickly picked up by the Trojans football club, who Tomas says were “very welcoming … like a family to me really”, and he continues to fill a midfield role in their senior team.

However, his passion for tennis was undiminished and when he saw a post from Rapaura club captain Glen Cameron looking for interclub players, he signed up.

“I messaged Glen in October last year. I met him and we did some training together … then he said he wanted me to play number one [for the Rapaura team].

“Matt Hair was the main coach at Rapaura, so when he moved away to Auckland, Glen offered me the chance to work with him on tennis fulltime.”

The club are currently catering for around 150 youngsters in summer and 90 in the winter months, keeping Tomas fully occupied.

“I love it,” he says. “Some of the people who know me well said that after I came back to tennis, I look young again, new, refreshed and I am really enjoying my life now.”

While making his mark as a player on the local scene, including reaching several club finals, coaching is what drives him, especially “the energy and positivity” he gets back from the kids he deals with.

Initially, Tomas was concerned that there could be communication issues, with English being his second language, but he soon overcame that fear and embraced the role, relishing the opportunity to play on grass, a surface he had never ventured onto.

“Grass courts are faster and the bounce is super low, but I really enjoy it. I played on hard courts, then clay, so have had to play with different bounces all my life. Grass is also better for your body and your knees.”

Tomas, along with Glen, is committed to growing the country club, perhaps creating an academy set-up. One issue to be addressed is the fact that the Rapaura courts are closed over the winter months, so alternative venues must be found.

However, Tomas has a ‘can do’ attitude and plans to be in Marlborough for the long run.

“I have chosen my life here in Blenheim. I have made a lot of friends here and am looking forward to making more.”

Tomas also provides private, technique and tactics-focussed tennis lessons for all ages and can be contacted at [email protected].