Conchords Play Ball for City Mission

Conchords play ball for city mission
By NATHAN BEAUMONT - The Dominion Post Last updated 01:06 11/03/2009


CRAIG SIMCOX/THE DOMINION POST
GOING BIG: Nick Griffin and William Sommerville try out the jumbo tennis racquets that will be used in the charity event.

Relevant offers Organisers of a charity tennis tournament have scored an ace, serving up Flight of the Conchords stars Jemaine Clement and Bret McKenzie for the event.

Clement's uncle, Patrick McArdell, used "a bit of family pressure" to nab the high-profile pair for the tournament on March 20 at Wellington's Renouf Centre.

The comedy duo is in New Zealand on holiday for a few weeks. "I had to convince Jemaine and then he had to convince Bret, but it didn't take much because they were both keen to help out."

But I think they were hoping their appearance would slip under the radar not much chance of that happening now."

The Rotary Club of Wellington is organising the tournament, with oversized racquets, to raise money for the Wellington City Mission and Wellington tennis.

Mr McArdell said the pair would probably play doubles together. "Bret has been playing a bit of tennis and Jemaine likes squash. I don't think they will be treating it like Wimbledon, but they both hate to lose."

It will not be the first time a member of the Conchords show has hit the headlines for swinging a racquet. Rhys Darby, who plays clueless manager Murray, teamed up with tennis champion Roger Federer last year in an ad for sporting giant Nike.

Rotary club spokesman William Sommerville came up with the tournament idea after visiting a Rotary club in Papua New Guinea. "I haven't actually seen them play it, but it's built up to be something quite special and people really look forward to it."

He ordered 64 of the huge plastic racquets from Vietnam and enlisted 30 teams to compete.

The game is played as a doubles competition, with players taking turns to hit the ball.

Though the racquets required a double-handed grip at all times, the game was still playable, Mr Sommerville said. "They're really not that heavy. The games are seven minutes, so it will be quite fast and hopefully a lot of fun."

The fundraising goal for the tournament is about $13,000.

In random news, the team met Brett McKenzie from Flight of the Conchords. This was a completely random meeting too, as he was playing tennis on the nearby courts by the domain.

shianne517 wrote:I didn't know it already happened! Awesome.

That looks like almost the same racquet from the show. Oh well, Bret looks hot anyway, as always.

Thanks Elizabeth! Don't forget you and me

drunkagain wrote:

... The Rotary Club of Wellington is organising the tournament, with oversized racquets, to raise money for the Wellington City Mission and Wellington tennis. ...

... He ordered 64 of the huge plastic racquets from Vietnam ...

... Though the racquets required a double-handed grip at all times, the game was still playable, Mr Sommerville said. "
They're really not that heavy. ...

Jumbo 7's Tennis Tournament

Organisers of the Jumbo 7s Charity Tennis Tournament have scored an ace, serving up Flight of the Conchords stars Jemaine Clement and Bret McKenzie for the event on 20 March.

The Rotary Club of Wellington is organising the tournament, with oversized racquets, to raise money for the Wellington City Mission and Wellington tennis.

The comedy duo is in New Zealand on holiday for a few weeks. The pair will probably play doubles together. "Bret has been playing a bit of tennis and Jemaine likes squash. I don't think they will be treating it like Wimbledon, but they both hate to lose", said Clement's uncle, Patrick McArdell, who convinced them to take part.

Though the racquets require a double-handed grip at all times, the game is still playable. The games are seven minutes long, so expect it to be quite fast and a whole lot of fun.

First introduced to Rotary by the Rotary Club of Port Moresby, it is now Wellington's turn to experience a high spirited rendition of this high society sport.

Played to the same rules as Table Tennis (players take alternate hits), Jumbo Tennis 7's is sure to capture the attention of the corporate world for its entertainment, hospitality, comaraderie and support for local charities. The Rotary Club of Wellington, the promoters of this inaugural event, will donate funds raised at The Interface Financial Group Jumbo Tennis 7's tournament to Wellington City Mission and Wellington Junior Tennis.

"Our goal this year is to raise $13,000 and have a heap of fun while we're doing it" says William Sommerville, the man behind the idea. "Business house competitions in Wellington are renowned for the spirit in which they're attended, so we are confident we'll get some great support for this event"
.
Enter your ‘A’ and ‘B’ teams now and WIN!!
36 four person teams will compete for The Interface Financial Group Jumbo Tennis 7's Cup and many other prizes. Best tennis, best dressed and best supporters are just some of the prizes on offer. IF tennis isn't your game, don't worry! "
Handicapping starts with the racquet, then we'll sort it out from there. Teams will be graded to ensure the competition is fair"
says William. Games will be seven minutes long and each team will play a number of games. Recovery periods will be plentiful, where players can take full advantage of the complimentary court-side food and beverages.
Team entry fee: $500 per team of four people.

Be a Proud Supporter
Sponsored prizes for the raffle and auction will also be gratefully received.

Please contact: William Sommerville on 021 766 171 or Ruth Bruce on 021 547 346 if you would like any further information on sponsorship opportunities.

Sponsorship packages are available for:
Naming rights sponsor (one only) SOLD
Co-sponsors (two only) $1000 each
Court sponsors (18 only) $250 each

Conchords Get Served
By DAVE BURGESS
09:26, Mar 27 2009


CRAIG SIMCOX/THE DOMINION POST
COMIC PLAY: Bret McKenzie in full swing.

Everything has suddenly gotten bigger for The Flight of the Conchords superstars Bret McKenzie and Jemaine Clement - even a game of tennis.

The comedy duo appeared in a Jumbo Tennis tournament fundraiser at the Renouf Tennis Centre today.

Their first round doubles match, using giant oversized rackets and table tennis rules, saw them thumped 15-5 by a couple of chuffed locals.


CRAIG SIMCOX/THE DOMINION POST
DOUBLE ACT: The Flight of the Conchords comedians Bret McKenzie and Jemaine Clement with their outsized rackets.

"They must have been professionals because of the way they beat us," said Clement.

"After this we are going to fly out and, I guess, keep tennis going in America," quipped McKenzie.

The pair are in Wellington ahead of a charity concert in Masterton on March 31.

They then head to the US and Canada to perform in a series of sold out concerts.

"After this we are going to fly out and, I guess, keep tennis going in America," quipped McKenzie.

giggletycoon wrote:

gezyka wrote:

giggletycoon wrote:

giggletycoon wrote:

gezyka wrote:I've been exercising much restraint from creating a "Kiwis we love in sweatbands" thread.

gezyka wrote:

giggletycoon wrote:

How to play tennis with Flight of the Conchords
Fri, 20 Mar 2009 6:55p.m.

Bret McKenzie and Jemaine Clement

They might be mega stars - but comedy duo Flight of the Conchords are not above doing their family and mates a favour.

Bret McKenzie and Jemaine Clement, whose new series is drawing millions of viewers around the world, are back in the country for a two week holiday - but it's not all rest.

Today they made their first public appearance to raise money for the Wellington City Mission and Wellington Tennis.

Campbell Live catches up with the Conchords and talks tennis, TV and more

shianne517 wrote:They look as good as I thought they would.

shianne517 wrote:True. And Bret did some nice color coordination.

shianne517 wrote:Jemaine got his hair did.

Amily wrote:

shianne517 wrote:True.  And Bret did some nice color coordination.

Jemaine did too!  In his all white tennis outfit.