I noticed that even good trained players had problems with muscle pain and lactic acid accumulation in their legs.

They never lost the enthusiasm and passion that characterize the events of our fellowship. The magic atmosphere created in all of us tanks of adrenaline and did not allow anyone to give up a fifteen. There was a climate of friend-ship and affection with old and new friends. It is always difficult to say goodbye at the end of the season knowing that probably we will see again only in a year.

Miljenko, Tomislav, Mladen and their staff (wives and children) ar-ranged things at the best. The tennis complex Bluesun in Bol has certainly the same level of the ones of the past years. It was really exciting to play in a so large and important Central Court. Splendid courts, well oriented, surrounded by pine trees and green well-kept gardens.

The tournament was held as men-tioned in a great friendly atmosphere,

7th ITFR WTC — BOL - BRAC ISLAND – CROATIA

August 27- September 3, 2011

Here I am again thinking about the beautiful week spent among tennis courts, rotary and the historic fellows tennis players. Now, at my fourth Inter-national Championships experience, I think at my first one in Barcelona, when I lost at the first round (double with Nunzio and mixed doubles with Valen-tina), so I spent a wonderful holiday in Barcelona with my wife Anna and could visit the city very well.

This year in Bol it was very differ-ent: we didn’t have much time for sightseeing, because 21 boards were arranged, divided among several un-der, over, everything’s consolation tournaments and we played the whole week and Anna played the semifinal of the women's doubles consolation just over 100 on Friday morning, with pos-sible final (which were never played for loss) in the afternoon.

If I had to find a feature that makes me remember the championships in Bol, I would locate it in the enormous amount of tennis played in a week ...

Rotary Ace Score an ace with Rotary… for a winning service !

International Tennis Fellowship of Rotarians

Edited by Valentina Dell’Acqua

Friday, December 23 2011 Newsletter no. 36

ITFR Fact sheet ITFR currently has 1117 members from 64 coun-tries and all continents;

ITFR can join Rotarians, Rotaractors and their spouses who love tennis and fellowship;

NO membership fee;

"Everything" is online - Registration, Members' database, Calendar, Voting, Financial re-ports, Constitution, Board, Newsletters, News, mailing lists etc.

7th ITFR WTC — BOL - BRAC ISLAND – CROATIA

August 27- September 3, 2011

Page 2

with a healthy competitive spirit, seeking the most

friendly and cordial solution to the inevitable problems that arise in such circumstances.

We could enjoy the beautiful nature of the Croatian island of Brac, with its clear sea wonderful nature and its Mediterranean flora. The mild climate helped the organizers to carry out their programmes.

On Wednesday, besides the excursions to Dubrov-nik and Hvar, even a nice boat voyage that started and ended on the beach in front of the Hotel Elaphusa was arranged. About twenty people from different countries enjoyed it. We reached the cozy restaurant Terrasa Ciccio, where we ate a lot of fresh fish, and soon after we dived in the sea (but there were not ... gastroen-

terologists!!!!). On the way back we sang Neapolitan and Croatian songs.

The Championship was held once again to contribute to the project, Polio Plus - End Polio Now, as previous decisions of the Board ITFR.

It was attended by over one hundred players from sixteen countries: Australia, Austria, Brazil, Bulgaria, Croatia, Estonia, Germany, India, England, Italy, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Romania, Spain, USA.

Besides the 21 official tournaments, Mladen organ-ized in a single evening a mini tournament, White & Wood, with wooden rackets and white clothing. The tournament was attended by many players and their children. Among these Alessandro Marinaro distin-guished himself. He showed his great progress. In the coming years he will certainly be a tough nut for every-

one.

The mini tournament was played in just three hours, with great fun and gags for everyone.

The intense week of tennis, can be verified in the results published on the website of the fellowship www.itfr.org, but particular attention must be given at the final between u. 42 Matko Maravic and Andrew Luke, ended in favor of the first and the final o. 42 + between Giancarlo Giuffreda (W.) and Adrian Luca. They showed their ability and proper behavior on the court.

The awarding of the winners took place in the Cen-tral court. The trophies, tennis balls made of the famous Brac stone, were delivered by the top player Mr. Mario Ancic, recently retired from tennis after a brief career that saw him winner of a Davis Cup for his country. In the world rankings he reached the seventh position.

The gala performance was held by the sea in the pic-turesque restaurant Borak Plaza, in the presence of Ro-tarian and civil authorities: the Governor of RI District 1910 and Mr. Ivica Radić, President of the R.C. Brac and Mr. Tihomir Marinkovic, Mayor of Bol, who ad-dressed words of heartfelt appreciation for Rotarian

sporting initiative.

In the institutional meetings, Board, Board + TD Countries, Assembly members, Mr. Marcos Franco showed the project for the next championship in Brazil (Guarapari - State of Spiritu Santu). The project was approved by the Board.

Mr. Mladen Novakovic, one of the historic founders of ITFR, was elected for the next two years (2012 - 2014) Chairman of the Fellowship, after the two terms of Mr. Marco Marinaro. I think that we all have to thank Marco for his hard engagement and his great ability as organizer as well as his friendly behaviour shown to everyone.

I can say that I am satisfied of the International Championship and I hope to raise a doubt in the read-ers, who never participated: "Am I going to lose the opportunity to make Rotary in a little different way, less formal, and “perhaps” more fun? “

A special thank, of course, to the Sponsors and coun-sels.

The next championship will be held as mentioned in Brazil, where Mr. Marcos Franco will certainly show his competence and his organizational abilities. It is the first time that the tournament will be held overseas (apart the second edition, but at that time in the mini form, in Sri Lanka).

Perhaps it is a challenge to verify the true interna-tional nature of the Fellowship, that is we will under-stand if the European members who so far have been the main protagonists in the European editions, show real interest and passion to face the American partners, who of course, we hope, will participate in large meas-ure. If it is so, ... we will see nice things!!

Giacomo Oppia

ITFR T.D. Italy

Marco Marinaro, the Organising Committee and Ma-rio Ancic during the prize giving ceremony

Governor Husic, Chairman Marco Marinaro and Elec-ted Chairman Mladen Novakovic

A message from Past RI President Bill Boyd to the ITFR Chairman Marco Marinaro

Season’s greetings from Marco Marinaro and the ITFR Board

ITFR operates in accordance with Rotary International po-licy, but is not an agency of, or controlled by, Rotary Inter-national.

Dear Marco,

Thank you for your letter of September 6. While you have not heard much from me, Lorna and I have been following the activities of ITFR and we are delighted that you are being so suc-cessful.

Lorna and I are proud to be Honorary Mem-bers of ITFR and we thank you for that honor. It is always a pleasure to meet members as we travel around the world.

I thank you too for your contribution to Rotary's services activities and particularly to the Polio challenge. Tennis and service are a great combi-nation!

My regards,

Bill

Lorna and Bill Boyd receive the polo shirt of the 7th ITFR World Championship

ITFR upcoming tournaments

23-25/Dec/2011

3rd RCMIC President’s Cup, Chennai, India

25-26/Feb/2012

ITFR Tournament SAMVS Winter Cup,

Cluj-Napoca, Romania

30 Aug-05 Sep/2012

8th ITFR World Championship, Guarapari, Brazil