Now that we are into the height of the tennis season, there is no shortage of activities for members young and old at WTC. The juniors have an action packed itinerary for July and August with 5 – 12 yr olds enjoying ‘fun’ tennis in the mornings and the 10 – 16 yr olds enjoying the tournaments in the afternoons. These programes have been implemented by our coaches and are being run by our summer junior supervisors, Niall O’Connor, Jack McHugh, Rodhan Haughton and Carl Malone. The senior players are also keeping busy with league matches and tournaments.
Below is a list of events and news keeping you up to date.
Senior News
AIB Interfirms
This competition is currently underway. This year we have 28 teams of four players competing in four sections. Games are going well and thankfully the weather has been kind to us too. Semi-finals will take place on tonight 15th and finals will be held tomorrow night Thursday 16th. Prize giving will follow the finals and we will have some nice bites and a glass of wine for all the competitors and spectators. We extend a huge thank you to AIB for their continued support to this very popular competition.
Sinnott Autos Ltd., - Club Championships 4th – 28th August
This year we are delighted to have a new sponsor for our most prestigious event in the senior calendar. Sinnott Autos Ltd, have been long standing supporters of competitions in the junior section of the club for many years and 2009 sees them take on the bigger sponsorship of our Club Championships. I attach an entry form for this competition.
Monster BBQ
On Saturday 29th August we are inviting all senior members to come along to our ‘Monster BBQ’. This year we are holding the presentation of our Club Championships prizes at this event. The main reason for this is that the players involved in the finals will be able to concentrate better on their games with less distraction around the courts and in the clubhouse.
Last year, we had a very successful Dinner Dance, this year we our hoping for a very successful BBQ. It is up to all of us to make the most of these events, the ‘off court’ activities in the club are as important as the ‘on court’ activities! Tickets are just €10 and this will include your burger/chicken/steak and a glass of wine. You are advised to bring your own drink if that is your wish. In order to keep the price of the tickets down we have decided to go back to basics and ask members who are coming along to contribute something to the BBQ. Salads and desserts will be required so if either of these is your specialty let the BBQ Committee know when you are purchasing your ticket. Tickets must be paid for in advance and will be available throughout the Championships. As always, help will be needed with this event, chefs, furniture movers, catering assistants and whatever else is required to ensure the success of the night. The BBQ Committee is Jeff Byrne, Norma Elliott, Anne Rooney and Michelle Hender-Phillips. More helpers, less work!
Dublin Lawn Tennis Council Leagues
Mixed League
The DLTC Mixed League got underway on Friday 3rd July. This year we have three teams representing the club, one in class one and two in class 3. Please note that courts will not be available for free play from 7.30pm – 9.30pm approx on Fridays’ 17th, 24th and Wednesday 29th July to facilitate these matches. Good luck to all three teams, enjoy your games!
Senior League
The DLTC Senior League will commence on Sunday 30th August. Teams consists of three doubles pairings, with matches for the men’s teams on Sunday mornings and the ladies teams on Sunday afternoons. To be eligible you must be 35 or over. You are also eligible if you are going to reach 35 years of age between now and December 31st 2009.If you are interested in being considered for a team please reply to this e-mail or sign the sheet on the noticeboard in the clubhouse.
Floodlit League
There has been a request from members to re-introduce the Floodlit League into the calendar of events. This League is for those of you who are interested in playing singles. The format is as follows: Each match shall consist of 2 singles events and 1 doubles event. A team shall consist of 4 players each of whom shall play a singles or doubles event. Before the start of each match, the opposing Captains shall place the names of theirteam members in a container. Each Captain shall draw the name of one opponent. These two players shall play singles event. A further two names will be drawn by this method, and these two players shall also play a singles event. The remaining players shall play a doubles event.Nights of play have to be confirmed but it is most likely that Men will play on Monday nights and ladies on Tuesday nights.There are four classes in this league and it most likely that our teams will have to start off in class four (despite the fact the some players maybe of a higher standard) and work their way up unless there is a gap in a higher class for a team that may be eligible for it. If you are interested in this League sign the sheet on the notice board or reply to this e-mail.
American Tournament
This will resume for Monday 20th and 27th July and will break again for the duration of the club championships in August. This is a great social event for members of all standards with new members especially encouraged to come along and join in. To enter, either ring the club on (0404) 68666 or just arrive to the club before 7.45pm.
Wicklow Regatta
To join in the spirit of the Wicklow Regatta (24th July – 3rd August) Wicklow Tennis Club is delighted to be hosting a special ‘American Tournament’ on Monday 27th July. Anyone aged 16 or over is welcome to come along and join in the fun. To register please arrive to the club house no later than 7.30pm and wear suitable clothing/footwear and bring a racquet. If you know of any friends/family/colleagues who plays tennis and would like to play give them a call. Also, you may know of someone who is interested in joining the club, this would be an opportunity to come along and get a feel for it.
Rules
I attach an updated version of our rules. Please refresh yourselves and your children with them. Rules are there for everyone’s safety and enjoyment.
Maintenance
The main gates to the car park are now back in working order. As in previous years, the committee is now requesting that the car park is not to be used by parents for dropping off or collecting children during the hours of 10.00am to 6.00pm for July and August. There is a huge amount of activity in this area and in the interest of safety of all the children, please escort your child/ren to and from the club by foot or if they are big enough pull in safely and let them run in/out. The car park is reserved solely for coaches, administrator and supervisors plus any deliveries/work vehicles. Two new switches have been placed inside the main door which will enable the main gates and the pedestrian gate to be opened from inside the clubhouse. A new sensor light has been installed on the wall above the main door into the club house. This will make locking up at night time a lot easier and safer. The club is currently investigating placing a slow closing coil on the pedestrian gate. This gate is repeatedly left open at night thus allowing anyone access to the grounds. A new combination lock has been placed on the wall leading down the corridor to the toilets and changing rooms. Although the club does not endorse members leaving any personal belongings in the cloakrooms it will increase the security in the clubhouse whilst matches are on going. The code for this will be given on reque
Litter
Please be conscious of litter in the grounds. There are plenty of bins provided, yet there is always litter on and around the courts. Please remind your children to use the bins and as always chewing gum is strictly prohibited as it is detrimental to the courts.
Junior News.
Website
The committee would like to extend a sincere thank you to Conor Sexton on the fantastic job he is doing with the ‘Junior’ page of the website www.wtcjuniorsite.co.cc Conor has all the latest news for the juniors on this page, so keep an eye out on it.
Bicycles
Whilst it is great to see so many children cycling to the club please remind the children to use the bicycle rack provided over by the hedge. The Supervisors will assist with this issue.
SV Delahunt Ltd & Co. Ltd., - Junior Championships
The S. V. Delahunt & Co. Ltd., Junior Club Championships will take place from 10th – 22nd August. There are events for children in the under 9 age group up to under 16’s. There is always a huge entry for this and it is a great way for the children put all their coaching and practice skills to the test. Entry forms will be available in the clubhouse and on the ‘Junior’ page of the website, if you have any queries Niall, Jack, Rodhan or Carl will be delighted to assist. S. V. Delahunt & Co. Ltd., has enjoyed a long association with Wicklow Tennis Club and as always the club is most grateful for their sponsorship.
Junior Disco
To finish off the busy tennis season there will be a junior disco on Saturday 22nd August. Children aged 9 and under are invited to come along from 7.30pm to 9.00pm and children aged 10 or over are invited to attend at 9.00pm – 12.00am. Entry will be €2. Children will be fully supervised by the junior supervisors and members of the senior committee. Children will not be allowed to leave the grounds once they have paid into the disco. Due to the large attendance at this annual disco, parents are reminded that children are not permitted to bring non-member friends/cousins along.
Coaching for girls aged 12 – 16.
Many thanks to the senior ladies who have been assisting some of the junior girls aged 12 – 16 with coaching on a Saturday evening. This has proven to be very successful with the girls gaining skills and confidence.
