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I was impressed in the last few weeks by some of our juniors.
It is the time of year when other Clubs begin to poach our players for their Regional teams & I understand our junior members have decided there is a Club spirit after all.
It is a great challenge to be able to take your team to the top of the grade & win promotion.
Perhaps the money the Club spends on its Junior members is not wasted after all.
You may have seen the recent Hutt News article which described our Club as having nearly 50% of the seeded juniors in the whole Wellington region - it is no wonder our juniors are sought after.
EDITOR
PO BOX 45020, LOWER HUTT
FAX 566 8041
EMAIL: LowerHutt@tennismail.com
SUBSCRIPTIONS
SENIOR $60
VETERAN $60
MIDWEEK $60
INTERMEDIATE $50
JUNIOR $50
COUPLE $100
FAMILY $180
The above reductions apply to NEW MEMBERS joining NOW (Before 1 Aug
02)
CONTACTS
|
PRESIDENT |
BARBARA |
566 0750 |
|
CHAIRMAN |
JOHN |
566 9051 |
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SECRETARY |
GRAHAM |
569 2914 |
|
TREASURER |
RAY |
567 9340 |
|
CLUB CAPTAIN |
|
|
|
MIDWEEK |
ROS |
938 1951 |
|
CLUB COACH |
GENE |
567 8890 |
|
JUNIOR |
CHESTER |
938 1606 |
WED LEAGUE |
STEWART |
938 9746 |
|
MON LEAGUE |
ORA |
495 4762 |
|
LEAGUE |
KATHY |
569 6629 |
AGM
Please note the AGM will be held on Tuesday 25 July at 7.30 pm. The business will include the usual approval of financial statements & election of officers & we will also hold the presentation of trophies for the 2001/2002 Club Championships.
This is an opportunity for any new ideas or changes in our Rules to be submitted for consideration. Please send these to the Club now so they can be distributed to all members before the meeting.
The Committee have decided to recommend to the AGM that a Development Levy of $35 be added to the adult subscriptions.
The current level of subscriptions is sufficient to cover the normal operating expenses of the Club but is not enough to cover capital expenditure or major repair costs.
We know we must replace the other 2 astro grass courts in the next 2/3 years & the lighting should be extended to a further 2 hard courts.
These works alone will cost more than $50000
& we still need to seal the car park & repair the fences.
The Development Levy will raise $5/6000 per annum & we estimate this should be sufficient to enable these projects to continue & will allow a planned replacement of all capital assets as they wear out.
Our Club has the best facilities in the Wellington region. We want to keep it like that but we can only do so with your assistance.
If we cannot get approval from the AGM the alternative may be to increase subscriptions, charge to play on club days, working bees & fundraising.
Tennis balls are increasing in price by 18% next season.
If you have any strong views for or against this proposal then make sure you come to the meeting.
PROPOSAL FOR AMENDMENT TO THE RULES RE MIDWEEK MEMBERS
At present (6) Membership Rule reads
A mid-week member shall be one who is eligible to participate only in those activities organised by the Mid-Week Committee of the Club recognised by the Management Committee for that purpose and in activities organised for like groups of another club association.
The proposed amendment is
A Mid-Week member shall be one who is eligible to play only on weekdays during the hours 9 am until 4 pm. Play on other days or at other times will require the payment of a Visitor's Fee.
JUNIORS
Winter tennis for juniors of all ages has started on Fridays from 5 - 7 pm under the supervision of Gene Ridgway.
We have about 30 juniors who are keen to continue their tennis through the winter months.
It is still not to late to join in bring $60 to cover the winter subscription which will continue right up to the end of August.
LADDER
A Men's Ladder has been started & is on the Notice Board. If you want to be on this ladder or want a copy send an email to the Club at
lowerhutt@tennismail.com
with your request.
The ladder will be used as a guide when selecting summer Interclub teams.
TOURNAMENTS
SENIORS
July 27/28 Manawatu Vets
JUNIORS
Jul 1-5 Hutt News Winter Mitchell Park
July 7-12 Nat Indoors, 14's & 16's Dunedin
WINTER INTERCLUB
There are 5 teams entered into the Regional interclub competition & 3 teams in the Hutt Valley competition. The first round began 26 May & 8 courts were used on the Sunday afternoon for the tennis followed by what turned into a social occasion with all the people afterwards
Looking for someone to play with??
Don't know who to ring ??
I will find you an opponent if you
give me 24 hours notice.
Because practice makes perfect.!!
John 566 9051 or work 566 0247
MIDWEEK MEMO
Pleasant weather has meant good turnouts for midweek tennis - we would still like to see some more midweek males though! We've welcomed new members Isabelle Young, Anna Geremia-Young, Jo Biggs & Philippa Holdaway & have sadly farewelled Fran Fuller who is moving to Taupo.
The Mid-Week club champs were completed in March despite a number of injuries , with the following results:
Singles Champion - Fran Fuller
Singles Runner up - Ros Read
Singles Plate - Jackie Clarke
Singles Saucer - Elizabeth Josephson
Doubles Champions - Lynne Pearce & Judy Hicks
Doubles Runners up - Anna Young & Fran Fuller
Doubles Plates - Tricia Lloyd & Jackie Clarke
Doubles Saucers - Susie McClelland & Elaine Barnett
These awards were presented at the Mid-Week AGM held on 17 May with the addition of the Highest Aggregate cup to Fran Fuller and the Most Improved Player cup to Tricia Lloyd.
Ros Read continues as Mid-Week Club Captain with a committee of 12, most of whom enjoyed a night out at Cafe Istanbul .
Post Christmas summer interclub results were
Grade 1 - 3rd and 4th
Grade 3 - 6th
Grade 5 - 2nd and 6th
Grade 6 - 5th
This means two relegations and participation in Grades 1, 4, 5 & 6 next season. Basically we can only go up!
The midwinter solstice lunch is planned for June and a social evening in July at the Lighthouse cinema.
Elsewhere in the newsletter is a proposal for amendment to the membership rules for mid-week players. I would urge mid-weekers to consider full membership next time subscriptions are due. Playing other leagues & interclubs is a lot of fun.
EASTER VETS TOURNAMENT
The question was posed - could the club cater for this national teams tournament? I had no idea but with the help of a great many people it was achieved. Ringing lists were contacted
with food items suggested. Good Friday came & a willing band of slaves turned up to fill rolls, cut cakes, boil water & to make the players generally welcome ( including fetching the lost ones!). Plates of food were regularly delivered & almost as quickly were sold. The hot & windy day rolled on until it was "beers" time. Had we bought enough? No - but a quick re-supply from home got us through. Cleaning up that night saw the overfilling of the Zip - oops now that was stuffed.……….
The supermarket had never seen me so early on Saturday morning. Different teams, different tastes, heavy rain and the wind... They still ate & drank heartily though.
Sunday dawned still windy but at least fine. Ora was on hand to make sure the last of the tickets was sold for her two superb raffles. Most of the players from Friday returned and came looking for our great food. By this time the slaves were old hands - we could even take special orders for rolls. The BBQ went especially well that day thanks to Dan who passed on to Nigel and the players' children!
Well it was three days hard work but well worthwhile not only for the resulting profit but also for the feedback from the Vets who appreciated our great food at good prices. Lower Hutt Club was the place to play. A very big thank you to all those members who contributed raffle prizes, food and their time. My special thanks to Stewart for catering brainwaves & shopping expertise, to Simon and Nigel for great support, to the Hardy family for starting the ball rolling and for loaning the food cabinet and most of all to Bet who kept me company for a solid two days.
Profit wise Ora made $400 on the raffles and the catering in excess of $800. It was a sly way of destroying the Zip but Hardy's Trade Supplies gave us a great price on the new one. We can look forward to the recoating of the kitchen floor. We did it!!!
MISSING
from the corner cupboard in the club kitchen - a large gladwrap dispenser box borrowed for the Easter Tournament. Please return it to the club or phone Alison Hussey 567 7782
SPRAINS & STRAINS
Next time you feel that sudden nasty twinge and have to resort to the cold pack in the club deep freeze ... - say thankyou to Lynne Pearce for donating the mouldable variety.
Wow that was a marathon...
Cheers Ros
LEAGUES
Saturday Afternoon
Monday Evening
Wednesday evening
If you wish to play in one of these leagues you must call one of the organisers Teams have already been selected but there is a need for reserves on a continuing basis & if you are on the list for reserves it will give you an opportunity to enjoy these leagues & a better chance of getting into teams for the next rounds.
Contact names & telephone numbers are
shown on the front page.
Please make sure you are at the Club & ready for play at the starting times. Don't be late.
SNIPPETS
Thiem Nuygen represented NZ in Sri Lanka with NZ U/14 team.
Gene Ridgway - big gash on the head from playing
soccer - should stick to tennis - it's safer!!
Encourage our existing members to bring new players to the club -
Keep your ears & eyes open for anyone new to the area who may play tennis - bring new players along to join.
The use of courts for Club organised play takes precedence at all times over any casual play by members.
Jill Willcock was surprised with a surprise party thrown by club members for her birthday (see photo)
Pat Clegg also celebrated his birthday with a tennis evening at Mitchell park (see photo)
SATURDAY LEAGUE
Thank you to all January to March participants who all played in good spirit. The winning team Captained by the very capable Bruce King consisted of Rudi Van Baale, Rose Douglas & Tony Green; Runners up Paul Sinclair's Team which included Allan Tso, Jill Wilcock & Reg Murphy.
A new League started on Saturday. 26th April. Anyone who wishes to be a reserve please contact Kathy Brabin 5696629
Cheers Kathy
BALL
Its not quite tennis but the ANGUS INN Hotel is holding a ball on 7 September to celebrate their 20 years in the Hutt Valley. Why don't we get a group together & go along for a tennis club occasion.
Perhaps none of you can dance ???
……...or perhaps you are too old ???
Live music, free drinks & continuous supper
See notice board for more details
THE COACH SAYS
WHY ARE THE COURTS NOT FULL ?
……...after all practice makes perfect. - right?
It is a perfect Thursday night, & I have just got home from the courts. I am feeling annoyed because the state of tennis is not what it should be. Here we have the best tennis club in the Wellington region. We have the best facilities, the most courts, free use of the lights, and there are courts available all of the time. Why are there not people playing on the courts?
The problem with tennis these days it is just too organised, let me explain. Being a tennis coach I should see people to help them with their game. This means giving them technical advice on shots, & helping them with tactics to beat their best friend (& arch rival). I can provide a service of drilling people to help build confidence in certain shots, & to help improve fitness & speed if that is what you would like.
Now the problem I see is that people use the coach as their only form of practice. So in other words practice is an organised diary-ed (as in it is in your diary) event. I do not see very many people who come down to the courts simply to have a hit, or to just play some doubles. Everything must be a club event (eg Monday & Wednesday nights, or a coaching session) in order for people to turn up. How did this happen? I can remember as a junior not being able to get on courts at my club because there were so many people playing. Why are people not practicing in between times. The only way to really improve is to practice.
We have the ladders set up now, this should provide match play for people. There is a list of people that you can play. All you have to do is pick someone & organise it. Easy! There are always courts free.
I find with the junior players that a lot of them do not even like to play sets and matches! How did this happen? Am I responsible because I make the coaching sessions fun, so that they do not find enjoyment in a normal hit? Or do we blame the school system and Kiwi Sport system that does not encourage competitiveness & winning & losing? How do we change this attitude?
Are juniors too shy these days to organise a hit for themselves with a friend?. Or do they have too many things on that they don't have time, should they choose one thing at a time and try to really learn to enjoy it?
How do you get good at something...? You practice by yourself. If you cannot figure it out then you ask someone who knows how to do it, then you go and try again....by yourself. It is not necessary to have an expert with you all of the time....is it? Now I may be cutting my own throat by saying this, as I am in the coaching business, but I am in it to see tennis players improve & get enjoyment from playing the game. I love it when I get people coming to me saying " I played Jim the other day.... I lost ... I want to beat him....but I need a backhand to do it!"
That's what I want!
I want to see people playing
GENE
National Junior Championships - Under 14 - Report from Sam Vinton-Boot
I have just competed in the under 14 National Junior Championships which were held in Christchurch during the first week of April.
Previous to this I had been to the National Qualifying Tournament held in Auckland in January.
Together with my Dad we flew to Christchurch on Easter Monday. We were met by my brother Jamie & my Aunt, Leonie. We stayed at my Aunt's place in Bishopdale & were able to use her car to drive to Wilding Park each day where the Tournament was held.
On Tuesday we had to sign in at Wilding Park in person. Then the draw was held. In the first round of the singles I drew the 7th seed.
The weather was fine on the first day of the tournament although a bit cool.
I was nervous in my first game. It did not help that in the second set I had a dispute with my opponent. This had to be resolved by me calling the Umpire. I feel I was hard done by over this. I went down 6-3, 6-4 but the best lesson I got from this was in future to make sure I write down the game score after each game.
I was pleased to win my first round of Feed-in singles and then had a close loss over three sets in the next round.
Robbie Wilkinson was my partner in the doubles. We had a close first round game over three sets eventually losing in the third set.
I feel the experience of this, my first Nationals, improved my play in both singles & doubles.
I want to thank the Lower Hutt Club for helping me get to the Nationals.
Sam
THE 12u NATIONALS
On the 6th & 7th of April 7 kids from the Wellington Region headed out to Auckland to play 12s Nationals.
They were Karina Bradnam, Finn Tearny, Amelia Harris, Jovana Mastilovic,Michael Pigou, Petar Vrecic & Michael Volkov.
5 of those kids are from Lower Hutt & belong to the Lower Hutt Tennis Club.
It was a fun & exciting experience. Everyone practiced really hard before the Nationals & gave 110 percent at the Nationals. It lasted 6 days & there were 64 kids in the girls & boys draw.
On court we had to try our hardest & push ourselves to play the best we could, it was stressful but very enjoyable.
Everyone would like to thank their Coaches.
I would like to thank Gene Ridgeway, Hutt Club for great support, Our wonderful Parents & everyone else who supported us...........…
THANK YOU VERY VERY MUCH!!!
Jovana Mastilovic
CLUB CHAMPS
Rose says: “Congratulations to Stewart for running the club champs so successfully & giving up his time the same weekend he was moving to a new home. Also thanks to Odette, In between her games she decided the kitchen cupboards needing cleaning out and with the help of Ros the job got done. Have you noticed the difference! Well done! “
The results from the Club Champs were:
Singles Winner Runner Up
Mens Open Jeremy Pigou Daniel Baxter
Ladies Open Tania Martin Julie Scott
Mens B Sam Vinton Boot Thomas Russell
Ladies B Jovana Mastilovic Hanna Baxter
Mens Vets Nigel Westerby Marcus Mellsop
Ladies Vets Zelma Foo Mieke Vensvoort
Doubles
Mens Open Jeremy Pigou & Tu Nguyen
runner up Tony Pietras & Nick Eaden
Ladies Open Julie Scott & Tania Martin
Mens B Peter Howse & Albie Roberts
runner up Sam Vinton Boot & Tom Russell
Ladies B Bernice Bolland & Anna Young
runner up Trish Barry & Kathy Brabin
Ladies Vets Anna Young / Bernice Bolland
runner up Jill Willcock/ Rose Douglas
Mens Vets Bruce King & Nigel Westerby
runner up Peter Howse & Albie Roberts
Mixed Doubles
Open Andrew Chuah & Julie Scott
runner up Ora Whaanga /Mark Battershill
B Grade Paul Sinclair & Bernice Bolland
runner up Nigel Westerby & Hanna Baxter
Vets Bruce King & Anna Young
runner up Bernice Bolland & Paul Sinclair
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