Glenn Wilson is still competing for premier interclub titles 30 years after debuting in the competition. Photo: Supplied

Thirty years ago, Glenn Wilson began his premier interclub career in Christchurch. On Saturday he will play a key role in Waimairi’s hunt for a second straight title.

Wilson, 52, is best remembered as a former Davis Cup player and captain for New Zealand during the 1990s and early 2000s.

He reached a career-high No 160 in the world for doubles and No 599 in singles. Both of those accomplishments came more than two decades ago, but he still has no trouble racking up wins in the city’s premier competition against much younger competition.

"Summer comes around and I always say it’s going to be my last year," said Wilson. 

"Somehow I roll out the racket, go to a practice and seem to enjoy it, so who knows how much longer I’ll be doing it for.

“We’ve got a good group of guys on the team and some other teams have got good groups of guys, so it’s just an enjoyment and health thing.”

The former professional has won four interclub titles to date, one each with Waimairi, Avonhead and Cashmere.

He also spent many years as the Canterbury regional coach.

Over the past two decades he has come up against many players he coached as juniors.

“I went along to one venue and I looked out and thought s**t I’ve coached all of those players on the opposition team. I didn’t know if that was a good or bad thing for us,” Wilson said.

For the second straight year Waimairi will host Cashmere in the interclub final.

The Waimairi team will be made up of Connor Heap, Remi Feneon, Wilson and James Spence, Finn Emslie-Robson and Benjamin McGillivray. Meanwhile, Cashmere features Meredith brothers Tim, James and Matthew, McHarg brothers Tim and Johnny, and Harry Weeds.

Last year Waimairi took the spoils 3-1 to end Cashmere’s run of five consecutive titles.

“It was part of the fun, to try and topple them over and stop their run. We managed to last year and they were very gracious.”

Wilson believes the tie will be a close encounter, particularly if Cashmere have the availability of former NZ doubles champion James Meredith – who was coached as a junior by Wilson.

Waimairi will also host the premier women’s interclub final on Saturday between Waimairi and Te Kura Hagley. The women’s final begins at 1pm, with the men’s final starting at 2pm.