Outside the Lines - September 2024
Fri, 30 Aug 2024 00:00
OUTSIDE THE LINES
SEPTEMBER 2024
A WORD FROM THE PRESIDENT
With the summer season about to start, it’s time to dust off those racquets! Having said that, it’s been fantastic to see so many people using the courts over the winter period.
Competitive tennis hasn’t stopped entirely over the break. Winter interclub is still going, with all our teams still in with a chance as they go into the last round this weekend.
September is a busy period in the lead-up to the new season, which starts in October. See below for notes of upcoming events.
Our club evenings will restart in late September, these are held on a Wednesday from 6:30 pm; our ever-popular Sunday club days continue all year round.
In good news, the committee successfully obtained funding for our beginner adult coaching (via Pub Charity), restarting on a Sunday morning in terms 4 and 1 and expertly run by Head Coach Herve Michaud. This isn’t just for beginners; even if you are a seasoned club player who wants to work on a shot or two, please keep an eye out for the details and come along.
Summer interclub starts again in October, which means the courts will be in use more again as teams train and play. As always, just a friendly reminder to cancel your bookings if you can’t use them out of respect for other club members.
I’m looking forward to another exciting season. See you all on the courts soon.
WORKING BEE
UPCOMING EVENTS
Love Tennis Open Day (Sunday 8 September, 10 am - 2 pm)
We are again holding our open day as part of the nationwide Love Tennis weekend. Invite your friends, come along yourself and let’s show everyone how vibrant our club is. It’ll be organised with games as usual on a Sunday and Herve will be there for any coaching needs or enquiries.
AGM (Sunday 22 September 1 - 2 pm)
A full agenda will be circulated closer to the date. The Committee is proposing a 5% increase to all subscriptions and has resolved to give a life membership to a nominated member.
Presidents Cup (Sunday 29 September, 13.30 - 4 pm)
Indoors at the Renouf Centre again, this is the third annual President’s Cup where the President and Committee acknowledge our members’ contributions and achievements in the following categories:
- Presidents Cup – supreme winner
- Volunteer of the Year
- Club Spirit – awarded to a person or people who embody our values
- Best Competitive Player
- Most Improved Player
If you have any nomiations for Club spirit or Vounteer of the year, please email wtc.secretary@wellingtontennisclub.org.nz
$20 per head - Registration form to follow by email.
WINTER INTERCLUB UPDATES
Wellington A (A grade)
By Naomi Burwell
The Wellington A winter interclub team has had a great season so far. We are currently sitting near the top of the ladder, having only lost one tie. With two ties left, we are still eyeing up the top spot. Our team comprises of similar players from last year with a few younger additions, Daisy Leckie, Sahana Sambhus and Riley Jack. We also had a few cameo appearances from Tuhina Sambhus. It's a great team with passionate players who enjoy having lots of fun.
Wellington B (A grade)
By Ben Leggett
We go into the final two rounds in a race to the top position with the Wellington A team and Waikanae - plenty to play for. Really proud of the team (Ben, Jonny, Mike, Katie, Ava and Liv) and their efforts, and, as always, it has been a joy to manage.
Wellington D (B grade)
By Mike Upchurch
As with most teams (and most winters!) our season has been affected by rain and availability and matches that could have gone either way (lost our first two on countback). We’ll manage a respective mid-table. Thanks to Monika Tomae for helping out part-way through. MVPs go to Emma Cadman for eight wins in four matches and Dan Riordan for seven wins in three matches.
Wellington E (D grade)
By Andrea Travers-Jones
After a bumpy start to the season, the team has pulled through and had some great results. We’ve had a fun time and played some fantastic tennis. A special mention to Malia, who we hope to see back on the court soon.
Wellington F (D grade)
By Nicky Beale
We started the season with a team of seven committed players, but due to injury five have carried the team for most of the games. Grit and determination mean that, all going well, with one round left to play, it looks like we’ll end up with a podium finish in the grade.
COACH’S TIP - DON’T WATCH THE BALL!
By Hervè Michaud
We have often been taught to keep our eyes on the ball, and it is true that visual tracking is key to moving early and achieving good timing. However, you do not need to watch the ball as it leaves your racquet.
Federer locks his head into position as if he was watching the ball, while others prefer to look ahead (Wawrinka, Murray, and Lulu Sun from NZ!). When you keep your head still through contact (Like Djokovic does above), you only let your arm move during your swing. It prevents over-rotating your shoulders and losing your balance, which happens as you lift your head to see where the ball is going.
Head movements during contact affect your stability. When people watch the ball travelling to the other side, they also tend to remain where they are instead of running back to the middle of the court.
Only watch the ball as it comes to you. As it gets very close and becomes blurry, keep your head still. It is even more critical on volleys. Here’s a good drill to practice: try to hit volleys without watching the ball until it drops to the other side, you may find it helpful.
For more advanced reading on how to improve your vision, talk to me or search for concepts like “the quiet eye” in sports and “the dominant eye” in tennis more specifically.
Play hard, train well!
NEW AED AT WELLINGTON TENNIS CLUB
The club secured a grant via Grassroots towards the cost of an AED (Automated External Defibrillator). Some of you may have already noticed the bright yellow Hato Hone St John box at the rear of the clubhouse. Thankfully we’ve not had an incident in recent years, but given that the next nearest is located a ten-minute walk away, the committee thought it was about time we provided this on-site - an AED can increase someone's chance of survival by up to 80% if applied immediately. It is also available to the public and its location is shared online.
It is designed for the ordinary person to make a difference and save a life. The AED has an LCD colour screen that instructs the user on what to do and how to do it while also providing practical real-time guidance with step-by-step voice instructions. It allows anyone with little or no training to treat the most common cause of suspected sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) by delivering a shock quickly and effectively when every minute counts.
It has a combination lock which will always be the same as the club gate code. And those without this can always call 111 to access it.
For your nearest AED check out: https://aedlocations.co.nz/
Watch: HOW TO USE A DEFIBRILLATOR
