LOWER HUTT TENNIS CLUB CROSS COURT DECEMBER/JANUARY 2003

......FROM THE EDITOR

There are a lot of excited members making arrangements for our 75th Jubilee next year. 
We have more than 300 names & addresses of old members on our data base & this Newsletter is being sent out to more than 700 members new & old.
It is not too late so if you remember someone who used to be a member let us know so we can add them to this list.

EDITOR

PO BOX 45020, LOWER HUTT
FAX 566 8041

EMAIL: LowerHutt@tennismail.com

SUBSCRIPTIONS
Pre Christmas
SENIOR $195
VETERAN $170
MIDWEEK $170
INTERMEDIATE $ 95
JUNIOR $ 95
COUPLE $350

FAMILY $480
A reduction will apply to those new persons joining after Christmas.

CONTACTS
PRESIDENT BARBARA BRIDGER 566 0750
CHAIRMAN JOHN DONAGHY 566 9051
SECRETARY GRAHAM NELSON 569 2914
TREASURER RAY JONES 569 9340
CLUB CAPTAIN MICK 567 8258
MIDWEEK ROS REID 938 1951
INTERMEDIATE GENE 479 0456
JUNIOR CHESTER 938 1606
SAT LEAGUE MICK 567 8258
WED LEAGUE STEWART 938 9746
MON LEAGUE ORA 495 4762

MARTINBOROUGH
The 70 th Sth Wairarapa Tennis Championships will be held at Martinborough 26-29 December. If you have never played on grass courts this is your opportunity. This year they have veterans (over 40) events & U12, & U14 singles & doubles plus their usual championship & handicap events. They will run a Bowls & Golf tournament on 27 December & a Dinner Dance on the 27th.
You can put up tour tent or caravan on site & use the 24 hour facilities.
Entry forms are at the Club House & you can ring John 566 9051 for more information

CLUB CHAMPS

The senior club championships will be held on the 8/9 February 2003 at the same time as our Jubilee celebrations. Because regional players may have Interclub that weekend you must be available on the 6 February (Waitangi Day) as this is the only way we will get them finished in the weekend..

The lists are up in the Club House so get your name down before Christmas. Included this year will be singles events for Junior Ladies & Men 18 & under on the 31/12/02.

Because of the Jubilee celebrations we will have a barbecue operating & morning & afternoon teas.

The Jubilee Buffet Dinner will be held at the Club at 6 pm on the Saturday. This is being catered by the Angus Inn Hotel & will be a sumptuous feast but you must Register to be able to attend.

Warn the neighbors it might be a late night.

JUBILEE
Have you spoken with your brothers & sisters or parents or children about our 75th Jubilee. They may not be on our mailing list so its up to you to let them know. 

It is going to be memorable.

The Jubilee Committee is Noeline Savage, Barbara Allen, Ros Read, Jill Willcock, Sylvia Wilmshurst, Mick Bolland, John Donaghy. 

We have a number of existing Club members who played in the 60's & 70's who are looking forward to renewing old acquaintances.

SUBSCRIPTIONS
31 October was the final date for payment of Subscriptions. & Interclub team fees.

Only 100% financial members will be permitted to play in the Club Champs & join in the Jubilee Celebrations.

Make our job easier by paying now before we have to chase you.

BASIC RULES OF TENNIS
I was surprised when a member asked me “was a ball in if it only touch the outside of the line” ????? 
So perhaps some basic rules!!!!!!

If the ball touches any part of the line then it is regarded as falling in the court bounded by that line.

If you catch the ball before it touches the ground even if you are standing outside the court the point belongs to your opponent.

If you hit a serve which has not touched the ground on your side of the court it is your opponents point. 

If the ball touches any part of your body or clothing it is your opponents point

If a ball hits another ball on the court which you could have cleared before the serve then no let is played.

A let is played if another ball comes onto the court while a rally is in progress.
However you must call a let as soon as it occurs. If you attempt to play the ball in the rally you cannot then call a let.

A player cannot receive coaching at any time during the playing of a Match
including when changing ends.

If a ball hits a permanent fixture, like the umpire stand, on the full the player who hit the ball loses the point.

When serving - if your feet touch the line or any part of the court over the line this is a foot fault. 

You may not volley a ball before it passes over the net but once the ball is over the net your racquet may pass over the net in making the return.

If your racquet or any part of your body touches the net at any time while the ball is in play you lose the point.

MONDAY LEAGUE
This league has become very popular for the summer and it is unfortunate we
cannot cater for everybody every week, so for the moment it will have to be
fortnightly. Please ensure you arrive on time. 
I would like to welcome our new comers Michael Briggs, Eric Collings & Brad
Joseph, along with our up & coming juniors Amelia Harris, Hannah Baxter,
Sarah Chin & Michael Pigou, while our regular Jamie Davis leaves us to
take up a teaching position in Tauranga - a pleasure knowing you Jamie.

The last Monday for the year will be 16th Dec and we will start again in the New Year on 13th Jan 2003 - Don't wait for me to call you - be proactive.
ORA

INTERCLUB
WOMEN'S DIVISION TEAMS
Women's Div tennis is going well. 
The battle between the 'young' and the 'not so young' Lower Hutt teams in Div 2 was won by the 'not so young' team. Although it has to be said that the 'young' team had a couple of players missing to injury and filling in for the Div 1 team. 
Jessica's team won a very close contest with Avalon - 3 all in matches and games having to be counted up. Tui's team has won their last 2 matches 5-1 and everyone is enjoying the tennis and surviving the 3 setters. The Div 1 team has had 2 wins and a narrow loss so far. 
Chris Archer made the most of the last afternoon's tennis having a 3 set match with 2 tiebreaker sets, one going each way.
BARBARA

MENS DIVISION
Its been really great seeing all you club Members out their practicing on
Thursday, there hasn't been a week go pass & the courts have all been full, but if you are unable to make practice, DONT LET THE TEAM DOWN, a quick phone call to the Captain would be appreciated.

Our divisional players still have 2 matches to play, the completion of
their round is 14th Dec, these games will be available to watch at LHTC
if the newsletter gets out in time.

Mens Division two team Lower Hutt A v Lower Hutt B. These teams are evenly matched and it come down to a count 
back of games to get a winner.
Fraser, sharp as a razor strikes again, a 3 set match with you know who!!!
suffering from heat exhaustion and cramp Fraser finally managed to beat
Steady Steve with beautiful top spin, base line shots and finally I think
the want to win, brilliant game to watch.

REGIONALS
Regional Pre-Xmas Results
Results are displayed & updated every week Monday & Thursday on our
notice board at the LHTC (by the ladies toilets) otherwise you can go to
http://wellingtontennis.org.nz/

Womens Regional One finished second with 37 points, 1 behind Island Bay,
excellent result however if they had come first, they would automatically be in the finals next year. We will be losing Tereze Buckley for the PostXmas who will be taking up a position in Singapore.

Womens Regional Two Awesome season finish on 47 points. A wee note from the
captain Hazel Maurer:

A Winning TeamFor the second year in a row, the team of Kathy Coyne, Hazel Maurer, Ora Whaanga, Sylvia Wilmshurst & Leonie Quinn have won Regional Two.

Winning twice is an achievement in itself. Dropping only two points out of a possible forty nine points this time is an even greater achievement & each person in the team should feel very pleased with themselves.

Unfortunately, we are unable to have two teams in Regional One, so they
will just have to win all over again next season.

Womens Regional Three has finished 4th equal with 24 points to Ngatitoa, a
countback of sets will determine their grade for Post Xmas. Fingers crossed.

Mens Regional Two finished second on 33 points behind Avalon.

Mens Regional Three Tennis is a game for all ages. Just think about this
with our Regional 3 men. They were very lucky to keep their grade. On
18 points they managed to score a default on the last round from Upper Hutt
finishing fourth with 25 points placing them one point ahead of Ngaio - Cool
Ora

JUBILEE
Have you spoken with your brothers & sisters or parents or children about our 75th Jubilee. They may not be on our mailing list so its up to you to let them know. 
It is going to be memorable.
The Jubilee Committee is Noeline Savage, Barbara Allen, Ros Read, Jill Willcock, Sylvia Wilmshurst, Mick Bolland, John Donaghy. 
We have a number of existing Club members who played in the 60's & 70's who are looking forward to renewing old acquaintances. 

A tinkle of glass as a ball went over the fence and hit the neighbors glass house. Next time please take the time to let them know what has happened.
That would be the courteous thing to do. Our neighbors are our friends please don't make them change.
If you use balls with an “F” it was you!!!

MIDWEEK MEMO
The summer season is well underway and Thursday morning tennis has become a permanent fixture. We've welcomed Paulina Godfrey, Brenda Davies and AnneMarie Morrison to the midweek club. We're looking forward to seeing many former members during the 75th Jubilee in 2003 

The wind seems to have dropped to be replaced by some cold wet days. Interclub looks like being delayed well into December. The five teams have come together well with the best results so far coming from Grade 1 (LH 1) & Grade 3.

Melbourne Cup Day was celebrated with some superb millinery. Our chief guest judge was Faye Cross and Colleen Neazor won first prize with a newspaper, net and silver cup creation with Eileen Cullen runner-up with a giant tennis ball sitting on top of a shady number. The sweep was taken out by Brenda Davies, Joyce Manderson & Colleen Neazor.

The "Hot Ham & Bubbly" Christmas lunch will be held on 10 December beginning with the fun tournament at 9.30am - lunch will be 11.30am if wet. Wear something Christmassy & bring $10 for lunch. 

This will be the final organised day for 2002. Midweek tennis will begin again on Tuesday 21 January. Interclub begins on 5 Feb for even grades & 12 Feb for odds. Remember that you can play tennis on Thursdays from 9.30 am. It's a more informal morning & could be a good chance to play longer games, singles or to bring the children.
ROS

75th JUBILEE

Our list of past members of the Club reads like a “WHO'S WHO” of NZ with lawyers, doctors, vineyard owners, dentists, company directors, secretaries to Ministers, tennis coaches, & others too numerous to mention. They will be coming from St Heliers, Remuera, Tauranga, Raumati, Nelson, Waikanae, Australia & perhaps even the USA & will include a couple of millionaires.

It is quite amazing when you talk with a past member about the people they knew & frequently they have remained in contact after many years & have many stories to tell.

Lets have a small competition!!!!!!!

Send me a memory of your time at the Club. If we get enough we could publish them for everyone to share. 

I have just received a letter from Jeannette Bayliss (Stratmore) who remembers going to kindergarten in the Club house in 1936 & learning very early as a 3 year old it was not a good idea to poke a hairclip into a 3 pin socket. First it was right in front of her then suddenly it was 5 feet away.

Also the teacher spanking a series of bottoms as they leant out of the windows in the rain, refusing to come inside. 
(Did the windows actually open???)

The lawn roller was the “baby sitter & she remembers being tethered to this huge machine towering above her while her parents enjoyed a game.

Please return your Registration ASAP - PLEASE COME.

MERRY TENNIS CHRISTMAS
Twas the night before Christmas, & all thru 
the land... tennis players were resting until the next Slam.... They nestled all snugly & warm in their beds... While visions of trophies danced in their heads... Their stockings were hung on the chimney with care... In hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there... Each one did list what they wanted to see: A title, a prize, maybe two, maybe three... Good health and good weather, applause & some fun... Some money won't hurt, they wrote - every one!

St. Nick looked over each list he did find... If I share each with you, I'm sure he won't mind... Now Pete wants a title - no matter where... And he really does not want to lose more of his hair. For Anna the same, a title she seeks... As she picks our her outfits for the next 50 weeks. Andre's not picky, he's got Jaden and Stef... He's so happy right now, but there's one wish that's left... Another Slam would be fine, maybe one, maybe two... 'Cause then he'd tie Connors, a fine how-de-do!!!!

Martina just wishes she still can compete... With all the big servers, that'd be quite a treat! Venus is hoping her wrists will just heal.. Lookout if they do, she'll make the fans squeal! JenCap would like to regain #1... And stop all her pouting & just have some fun! Lindsay's not fussy, a Slam would be nice... Oh, yes she wants one thing, less Ben-Gay and ice! Monica says all she wants is one feat... How about the French? Once more! That'd be neat! 

Mary Pierce is debating about coming back... Roberto ain't helping, he's dealing with flack. So maybe we'll see her, and maybe we won't... If her shoulder's not strong, methinks that we don't. Serena would like to just get out there and go... She knows she is great, the doubters she'll show! Roddick is confident, he wants to be King... Of all he surveys - yeah, that has a nice ring! Hewitt is humble , he's playing it cool... And taking some courses from the Dale Carnegie school!

St Nick looks at Mac's list and shakes his head twice... He still can't decide if Mac's naughty or nice, Mac wants it all - that's nothing new... The limelight, the praise, a pulpit or two! So we all can be privy to his views on all matters... God forbid we don't listen - our lives will be in tatters! St. Nick gives a laugh, he's sees this a lot... In tennis they all brag about all that they've got It comes with the show - game, set and match... And people like Mac are the best of the batch!

Well, St. Nick has a long night ahead of him now... There's much to be done, to fulfill every vow So he'll take his leave here - and get up on his sleigh... Try to grant each wish and make someone's day! Perhaps we could put in our own wishes too... That tennis will thrive in 2003!

We love all the pomp, the glory and thrills... We love to watch players develop their skills, We love the crowd's roar at a fabulous point.. We love when some star has their nose out of joint! It's all fun for us, admit it, it's true! And out on the courts, we like competing too! It comes with the game, it's not a big deal... It's not like we just reinvented the wheel Tennis is great - the drama, the joy... It makes all of us smile - each girl and boy! 

So St. Nick is ready again to ride thru the night... But before he gets airborne on his once-a-year flight He leaves us this message - and it gives us delight...

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL AND TO ALL A GOOD NIGHT!

WEDNESDAY LEAGUE
The Wednesday Night League is still very popular with 13 teams in this the last league for this year. If we had more lights I could have run 15 teams. There are plenty of new members who want to play, some joined too late for this league. It is very pleasing to see the intermediate players enjoying themselves which helps Club members get to know each other for a fun night of tennis.
The nights have been great though sometimes very windy & only round 10 rained off. The placings after round 10 is:-
1st place Graeme Josephson, Tim Julian, Maureen Fairweather, Jackie Clarke, Trish Lloyd
2nd place Ray Jones, Janet Freebairn, Judy Young, Ron Stallmache
3rd place James Murphy, Rudy Van Baarle, Carole Forbes, Fiona Bridgeford

The first league for 2003 will start on the 29th January. Put your name on the list in the club rooms if you want to play or be a reserve &/or e-mail me at 
stewartbush@paradise.net.nz.
Entries in by the 18th January. First in first to play (if we have too many entries ).

I would like to wish all a very Merry Christmas & a Happy New Year .
Stewart.

RESIGNATIONS

Our Constitution requires ALL resignations to be in writing. 
If any of you have unpaid subscriptions or interclub fees please pay these immediately. We can now only accept your resignation for the 2002/2003 season

LOST PROPERTY
Please check the club house for your mislaid items of clothing etc.
Anything left at the end of the month will be donated to a charity. 

If you have paid your subscription then you should have received the new gate combination. Contact Graham Nelson 569 2914 if you have not received it.

This combination is for members only.

ASK A FRIEND TO JOIN