January 31, 2006

Council hosts Davis Cup draw

The draw to find out which players will face off in the New Zealand versus Lebanon Davis Cup tennis tie will be held in North Shore City's council chamber on February 9.

The first round of the Asia/Oceania Group 2 matches for 2006 will be held at the More FM Tennis Park in Albany from February 10 to 12.

The official draw will be made in Takapuna by North Shore City mayor, George Wood, under the watchful eye of an International Tennis Federation representative, and after a powhiri and welcome by the council and Tennis New Zealand.

"We're lucky to have a world-class facility such as the tennis park in our city. We have a strong sporting culture - it's part of our lifestyle here - and a great network of local clubs that encourage participation," he says.

New Zealand has won on the two previous occasions it has played Lebanon. Both were in Beirut, in 1957 and 1998.

New Zealand team members Mark Neilsen and James Greenhalgh were part of the 1998 team. This time Greenhalgh will captain the team, which also includes Dan King-Turner, Adam Thompson and Rubin Stratham.

If New Zealand wins it will play either Kuwait or Kazakhstan in April.

"I'm proud that we are hosting the Lebanese team in our city and look forward to some great tennis," says Mayor Wood, who is rallying the community behind the three-day tie.

ENDS

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