LOWER HUTT TENNIS CLUB CROSS COURT DECEMBER/JANUARY 2001

......FROM THE EDITOR

SUBSCRIPTIONS

FAMILY $410

CONTACTS

CLUB CAPTAINS CORNER

What a great November we had. Lots of fine days & evenings to enjoy tennis & it was pleasing to see the Club really buzzing. We started the month [as we do on the first Saturday of every month] with a non-competitive social tournament, free entry to members, prizes & refreshments. Chairman John Donaghy took home the first prize but graciously admitted he had been lucky with partners for the games. Albie Roberts added yet another trophy to his collection but this time coming second. Others showing good form were Rachael Short and Rose Douglas. The barbecue afterwards proved popular with Bruce King demonstrating his ability to stop the sausages from burning. Remember we hold these fun tournaments on the first Saturday of each month starting at 1.30. Friends & potential members are very welcome.

The Wednesday evening league is a huge success with 12 teams each of 4 regular players earnestly competing. Leagues are also organised on Monday & Tuesday evenings with the Tuesday for ladies only. The games are not pre- arranged. Just turn up from 7 pm & games including singles, will be made up for you. The lighter summer nights have eased the pressure a little, with the unlit courts able to be used for longer periods, The popularity of night tennis clearly shows the need to improve & extend the court lighting. This is something your committee will work on.

The interclub competitions are of course well underway & some of our teams are achieving excellent results. I must admit, however, to some disappointment over the attitude & performance of some of the teams & their members. I would remind these players they have been chosen to represent our Club & they should be playing as part of a team & not as individuals. Play together, support one another & above all behave appropriately. Playing ability is secondary to Club & team spirit. Next season may see new criteria being used for selection of team members

I would suggest that more of our top interclub players need to involve themselves with the Club more by participating in Club activities & thereby giving something back to the Club.

On a positive note I refer you to the article in The Dominion on our Julie Scott. Well done, Julie. You are a Club member to be proud of. 

Members will have noticed the exterior of the Club House has been painted & the interior, particularly the men's locker rooms, substantially tidied. A working bee was arranged one Sunday morning & a start made on
cutting back vegetation & generally cleaning the grounds. Thanks to Nigel, Alan Husheer, Tui Snow, Hera Swinton, Anna De Leon & mid week ladies Colleen Neazor and Una Haverfield for their efforts .A lot more however needs to be done & another working bee will be required before Christmas We are hosting a major charitable tournament in February & your assistance for a couple of hours is sought. Please try to assist & not just take everything for granted.

Our early Christmas function held at the Wah Loong restaurant in Avalon was a real banquet enjoyed by the 30 odd members who attended. It was a great opportunity to eat well & tell a few lies. Further functions are coming up. So watch the notice board. The Renouf Centre night has been postponed because of their double booking & now will take place in the New Year. Again watch the notice board.

SOCIAL

A great night was enjoyed by members who supported the Christmas function held at the Wah Loong Restaurant. We were just short of packing the place out! It was unfortunate Mick & Alan became ill before the night & could not come. The winter & spring league trophies & certificates were presented after the meal.

The night at the Renouf Centre had to be postponed because they double booked us. We will hold this in the New Year. Watch the notice board for a new date.

We have received an invitation from the Greendale tennis club in Taradale to visit them one weekend in March. Would any one like a weekend away. If you are interested please telephone Jill 5695 465 or put your name up on the notice at The Club This could be a great weekend.

About 3 seasons ago a number of members enjoyed an overnight visit to the ZOO. It has been suggested we do so again.

You can bring other members of the family including older children but need sleeping bags & wine. Food is supplied.

This is an amazing night - let Jill know if you are interested & plans will be made.

These fun afternoon tournaments with drinks & a barbecue will be held right through the year.

NEW MEMBERS

Now is the time to suggest to your friends or colleagues its time they joined a real club. If you have friends who may be interested invite them to visit The Club on Wednesday nights or Saturday afternoons to see for themselves how we enjoy ourselves. Alternately they can telephone one of the Contacts for details.

FINANCIAL MEMBERS

CLERK OF WORKS

The replacement of the 2 astro turf courts & the plexi-pave of courts 9 & 10 is now expected to take place in December.

INTERCLUB

HVI` Interciub commences 14 October. We have tried to find places in teams for all those who returned their Registration forms. If you did not return your Registration Form we assumed you were not interested. 

Women Division 1 .Barbara Bridger (C), Amanda Crone, Chrisfine Ahrcher, Sally Whitfington, Suzanne Leslie 

Men Division 1 Steve Denholm (C), Michael Thurston, Jamie Davie & Thiem & Too Nguyen. 

Division 2 Steve McPhee (C), Denzel Boyes, Thomas Russell, James Chin, & Ben Jays. 

Presidents Team 1 Bernice Bolland (C) Ora Whaanga, John Donaghy, Paul Sinclair 

Team 2 Maria Harbour (C) Tui Snow Brian Harbour, Dick Werry, 

Team 3 Margaret Walker (C) Kathy Brabin Rod Crone, Dave Chin 

Team 4 Ros Read, Anna De Leon Alex Bridger (C). Gerald Bums 

At the time of writing this newsletter The Presidents Grades were yet to be finalised by HVT so we did not know where our Presidents teams were to be slotted. We hope they will have 2 grades each of 10 teams as resolved at a HVT meeting. 

Fees for Interclub players will be billed with this Newsletter & should be paid before Interclub commences 

JUNIORS

The Junior Club is in full operating mode, with Friday night sessions ( Gene Ridgway) & both Sunday sessions ( Len Kane) being well attended.

Registration numbers for the Sunday groups are down on last year & we can still accept new members in the 5 –12 year age group, for those players just starting.

The club is strongly represented in inter-club with 14 teams playing in either the Regional or Hutt Valley competitions. Most of the teams play at The Club courts on Saturday mornings, which are well supported by parents. This creates an environment which is encouraging more of our juniors to play competitive tennis at an earlier age.

The teams are all performing well in their respective grades, especially the Regional 1 Girls team (Sophie MacDonald, Hannah Cullen, Hannah Baxter, Jessica Maguren, Goldie Acton & Jessica Harris) They have been invited to play in the Regional 1 Boys grade after Xmas.

The last weekend for the Junior Club will be the weekend of 8^th –10^th December. Novelty games and a special guest will be visiting the club for the Sunday sessions on that weekend.

The Junior Club will resume on the weekend of 2^nd – 4^th February.

Since the start of the season a number of our club members have had successes in tournaments & been selected for representative teams. Below is a list of members achievements.

TOURNAMENTS

TENNIS….

ITS WHAT WE DO ON MONDAYS... ..... TUESDAYS ..... WEDNESDAYS  ....... & SATURDAYS 

If you are bored with playing telebingo JOIN A LEAGUE

THE COACH

Holiday Programmes for the kids

11 - 15 December

18 - 22 December

Morning or afternoon sessions with ratio of 6 children per coach 3 hours each day Monday to Friday. Cost $80 but reduced to $75 for members

I may also run group coaching sessions for adults so watch the notice board.

Please telephone me on 025 230 1914 to enroll.

CLUB CHAMPIONSHIPS

Entries for the 2000/2001 Club Champs are now open. These will be held on February 3 & 4 & if not completed will be held also on February 6, NZ Day. You will be required to attend the whole weekend so we can complete all events but if you remember the last few seasons this has been a great time for all who participate. If we can, we may schedule the Doubles on the Saturday & the Mixed Doubles on the Sunday for those of you who only want to enter a few events. The singles will be scheduled over both days.

There are 3 sections - Open, Veterans & B Grade. Regional team members can not enter B Grade events.

Entries to these events may be open to Junior & Intermediate members of The Club if numbers permit.

To enter you must record your name on the list at The Club. Partners will be found if required.

VISITOR FEES

MIDWEEK MEMO

REGIONAL

The pre Christmas rounds of Regional tennis are almost completed with 6 of the 7 scheduled rounds having been played. The women’s teams are all well placed in the top 4 of their grade at this stage. Regional 1 are placed 3rd with 4 wins, Regional 2 are 2nd equal with 4 wins and Regional 3 are 3rd with 5 wins. Those girls who are new to Regional tennis or who have been promoted a grade this season are handling the higher standard well. In particular Jovana, Ora & Kate who are all recording a high percentage of wins. Cathy Coyne playing at No 1 for the Regional 3 team has only lost one match so far. Lisa Hema at No 2 has only lost one single. Esther Boyle playing at No 1 in the top team has had some very good wins in particular against Jane Legge who is currently ranked 13th in NZ

Our Regional 2 & 3 men’s teams are finding life more of a struggle. Regional 3 is in 6th place with 2 wins. Regional 2 are at the bottom of the table & will face relegation unless they win after Christmas. 

Regional Masters is 3rd after 5 rounds. 

Regional team captains must remember to read the interclub rules. You can not play members in teams who have played in a higher grade unless you have the permission of the regional committee. If you have any doubts ask Barbara Bridger or John Donaghy.

TENNIS ETIQUETTE

When you are entering or leaving your court & must pass behind the other courts wait until the point has finished on that court before you cross behind.

This is especially important when senior or junior interclub matches are being played. The match is important to them even if you are not interested.

LEAGUES

Note also telephone details on the top of this Newsletter.

RESIGNATIONS

Our Constitution requires ALL resignations to be in writing. This can be by Email to LowerHutt@tennismail.com or Post to PO Box 45020, Epuni.

NEWS FROM AUSTRALIA

We arrived in Melbourne on July 11, found an apartment on Wednesday, started work Monday. To find a suitable tennis club was much harder—it took weeks. I am now a member of the Carlton Gardens Tennis Club in Nicholson Street. Subscriptions vary from $100 plus joining fees but over $1000 for the top clubs. For instance Royal South Yarra Lawn has grass courts, squash, gym, a bar, a restaurant, & indoor pool, Applicants who can afford the $1250 must apply in writing & are given a formal interview by the Committee. Membership is not guaranteed.

My Club is having its annual Christmas party this Sunday. It’s a great tradition. Play starts about 10.30 am then a wonderful lunch followed by more tennis. For club members its free but partners wives etc pay $10. each

We seem to have a barbecue every second Wednesday night. So far the wine, beer & the food has been all free. The Club has plenty of cash but because the clubhouse has "heritage" protection it is difficult to get permission to upgrade the facilities.

P.S. My Club President is lending me his keys to the Club over December/January so if any of you are visiting Melbourne give me a call to arrange a game. You can contact me at

Email: mike.j.smith@xtra.co.nz or Telephone 03 9866 58 45

INTERCLUB

If you have been scheduled to play an interclub match at our club or have permission to play a post poned match at the club (you must get permission from Graham or John) - you only get to use 2 of the plexi pave courts.