We held our monthly committee meeting earlier this week. While tennis activity at the club slows down a tad for the autum, we still have a couple of things to update you on.

Upcoming events

• Tennis Capital Coast Awards night – Saturday May 16, tickets can be purchased here.
• MTC Annual General Meeting – Wednesday 5 August, event details to be confirmed closer to the time.
• Love Tennis Club Open Day – Sunday 13 September 10am-2pm

Winter Mixed Doubles Interclub

The Winter mixed doubles competittion starts Sunday 21 June. Games are played bi weekly on a Sunday afternoon from 1pm, doubles matches only. Please contact Steph Walker stephaniewalker@xtra.co.nz if you’re interested in playing, we are particularly in need of a few more of our female members to join. Entries close 20 May.

Coaching

Shane Binnie (our club President) will be offering coaching services in Term 2 outside of his day job in the city. Wednesday after school lessons are under way and he is also offering private lessons for individuals and groups. A number of members have already signed up for privates and his availability is getting booked up. Do get in touch with Shane if you are interested in taking a lesson to help sharpen your game over the winter season. shanebinnie@gmail.com or 021364406. Please check out the coaching page of our website for more information.

Club Champs

Last weekend at the Renouf indoor tennis centre we held end of season club champs. There were some very close games between the small but competitive field. Congratulations to Nick Gyomar and Steph Walker on winning their respective draws.

Looking for an events/comms person for the Committee

While of course we are always looking for volunteers to help in any form with running the club, we are particularly looking for someone who could support in the events/comms area. We’re full of good ideas of things we’d like to do as a club (social events, club days, quiz nights, barbeques etc) but we equally need people power to follow up on these as we are all already stretched with our substantive roles (i.e. help organising them and getting comms out through our various channels).

With the AGM coming up in August, perhaps you’d like to think about putting your skills to good use for the club we all love and nominate yourself for the role when the time comes. Aidan Burch will be sending the formal notices shortly. Do get in touch with us at miramartennis@xtra.co.nz or chat to any of the current committee volunteers if you’d like to discuss what this might entail.

Maintenance and upgrades

We have now had builders come and look at work required to replace the deck. We will receive quotes in the coming weeks and then we can start the next phase of planning and applying for funding.

Mike O’Connor

We unfortunately end the newsletter on a sad note. Long time Miramar Tennis Club member, fierce competitor and all round great guy, Mike O’Connor sadly passed away earlier this week following a battle with cancer. Mike had competed at the highest level and along with his brothers, was a mainstay of the Regional 1 competition for over 30 years winning numerous titles. Joined by his family and other club members, Mike had his last hit at the Miramar Club earlier in the summer on one of those perfect sunny and still days. Mike’s grin was ever present and he was in his element out on court. As a club we pass on our sincere condolences to Antoinette, his four daughters and the wider O’Conner family.

Read more about Mike & his brothers from an article published in 2003.