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Tennis Seniors New South Wales P.O. Box 4803, North Rocks, NSW, 2151
Phone: 61 2 9624 7075 Website: www.tennisseniors.org.au/nsw
Email: [email protected] Print Post Approved PP229550 / 00003
President: Mick Bruton Secretary: Robyn Castle Treasurer: Arthur Olsen
ABN 50 206 056 964
Editor: Robyn Castle - Email: [email protected] Deadline for next Vetscore - August 11th, 2014
Newsletter of Tennis Seniors New South Wales. May 2014
D ear Members,
Congratulations to all
our members who
represented Tennis
Seniors Australia at the World
Teams and Individual
Championships in Florida. Results
are shown elsewhere in
“Vetscore”.
Due to our membership drive we
have increased our numbers to over
1300 which is very satisfying. Our
aim now is to encourage these new
members to participate in some of
our many tournaments and other
events that are available to them.
We are continuing with our free
membership for the first year for
any players who have not been
members before. So, for any new
members you sign up, your name
will go into a draw for a new
racquet and bag which will be
drawn at our Annual Meeting on
November 9. We have made it
earlier this year so that it is not so
close to Christmas in the hope that
more members will attend. It will
be a fun day of social tennis (with a
special format) from 11am after the
meeting, so we look forward to a
good “roll up”.
Please support our Country
tournaments as good
accommodation is available at very
affordable rates in all country
towns and travelling costs can be
reduced by car sharing.
The Mixed Teams in Newcastle is another popular event coming up! Enter
your team by May 26th, Entry Form available on our website.
Don't forget to form your team for Canberra next January and maybe you
could encourage one or two of our new members to participate. I attended
the Gloucester tournament recently and as always it was a great event.
Should any members have any suggestions on encouraging new
memberships or any improvements that can be made, please forward them
to us.
MICK BRUTON
PRESIDENT
Programme of Events - 2014 Dates R/R or Tournament Contact Phone
May 2-4 Inverell Seniors R/Robin John Williams 0422 705 806 May 3-4 Jim Elphick TC, Wagga Wagga Nathan McNeill 0438 599 835 May 16-18 Picton Seniors R/Robin Nat 7 Alison Radford 4677 2072 May 16-18 T’s Resort Port Macquarie Nat 7 Te Truong 6584 0144 May 24-25 West Tamworth Seniors Bruce Murden 6765 5575 June 7-9 Newcastle Mixed Teams Robyn Castle 9624 7075 June 21-22 Lake Macquarie Seniors Nat 7 Keith Williams 0412 157 757 **June 29 Metro Social Day at CTC, Castle Hill Neil Smith 0415 445 035 July 4-6 Cessnock Seniors Nat 7 Irene Crowley 4938 3190 July 12-13 Manning River, Taree Chris Johnson 0432 788 901 July 26-27 Werris Creek Seniors R/Robin Nat 7 Gary Cohen 0427 177 025 Aug 1-4 Forster Seniors R/R Nat 6 Judy Halpin 0418 603 109 Aug 15-17 Muswellbrook Park Seniors Val Angel 0408 436 443 Aug 22-24 Eurobodalla, Moruya R/R Scott Colbourne 4473 6180 Sep 12-14 West Port Macquarie Nat 7 Carol Daniel 6584 9096 Sep 20-21 Gunnedah Seniors Laurie Boag 0407 899 536 Oct 3-6 State Championships ITF Cat 2 Robyn Castle 9624 7075 Eastwood Thornleigh District Courts, Pennant Hills Oct 13 -16 Merimbula Annual Seniors Nat 6 John Rheinberger 0438 928 516 Oct 18-19 Dubbo Paramount Seniors Glenn Armstrong 0428 536 336 Nov 1-2 Raworth, Hunter Tennis Resort Linda Bullent 0447 800 206 Nov 15-16 Bathurst Carillon City TEAMS Andrew Mitton 0419 499 467 Dec 5-7 Nelson Bay Seniors Steve Taylor 0466 154 580
NOTE: The tournament originally scheduled for Oct 11/12 at Kiama has regrettably been cancelled for 2014 due to unforeseen circumstances.
Tournaments in BOLD are for AUSTRALIAN RANKING points - NRT **Social Days and Sydney Metro days will be added to this calendar as they are confirmed. Note: there will be one of these days at Caterson Tennis Centre, Cnr Gilbert & Showground Roads, Castle Hill on Sunday June 29. Singles 8am, and American Doubles or bring a picnic lunch and enjoy an afternoon of fun tennis! Neil Smith 0415 445 035.
P alm Springs, Florida was the host venue for the Seniors (35-55s) ITF World Championships in April and May. There were teams from Australia in all but the 40Women’s, with the guys in the 55s, the Austria Cup, bringing home the GOLD medal - our 9th success in ten years in this event. All of our players were fighting hard all week, but were nudged out, to be relegated to minor positions. Just one loss in the
initial Round Robin takes the team out of contention for the “top eight”. It hardly seems fair, but then, that’s the way it is! Suffice to say that they all gave 110% and were proud Australian ambassadors. In seven of the nine Cups competed for, the Aussies were placed in the top ten – a creditable performance, with one GOLD, of course. The second week saw many Aussies featuring in semis and finals, with Gold going to Glenn Busby (VIC), Ros Balodis (ACT) and Leanne Swaysland (NSW). It was very gratifying to see so many Aussies at the “pointy end” of the tournament , and there were several winners of Silver medals. These were Ros Balodis and Col Holgate (ACT), in the 55 Mixed and Brenda Foster in the 50 Mixed. There were six Bronze medallists, including our Helen Shea and Sara Goddard. Congratulations to all, we are proud of you! For a full report on these results, go to the TSA website, courtesy of Tom Hancy. Club Ali Bey, Antalya Turkey will once again host the Super Seniors in October. NSW has several reps in these Cups. Eight women and four men will help contest the ten cups on offer at this sensational venue which can stage the entire tournament in one place. These are: Adrienne Avis, Helen Worland (60s), Kerry Ballard, Carol Campling (65s), Kim Blackburne, Bev Eddington (70s), Margaret Fisher, Marj Niccol (80s), and the following men: John Rheinberger (60s), Don Biddle (75s), John O’Brien and Bert Barwick
(80s). Congratulations to these players, we wish you well! After many posts on Facebook, Matt Olsen (NSW), playing with Rhys McDougall (QLD) bowed out in the Quarter Finals, but had many highlights along the way. Matt was extremely impressed by Rhys’s athletic ability to spring into the air when serving or smashing down a “boomer”! Two Accidental World Championship Bronze Medallists Helen Shea who recently moved from Wagga to Wollongong was selected to represent Australia in the Connolly Cup (55+) at the recent World Seniors Championships in Florida. She was on the lookout for a partner for the Women’s 55+ Doubles in the Individual Championships just before entries closed in March. At about the same time Royal Sydney’s Sara Goddard had accepted an offer to be a late replacement for the Australian team playing the Bueno Cup (50+). They decided to team up even though it was a bit of a scratch pairing as
they had never played either with or against each other on the doubles court. Both managed a first round singles win but were knocked out in Round 2 the day before the doubles commenced. After a first round bye their first doubles match was in the round of 16 against Lumia and Savitt (USA) and they were greeted with very windy conditions and the glare of a badly positioned sun but ground out a 6-4 6-3 win. As is often the case in your first match together, it wasn’t pretty. In the quarter finals our girls really fired winning 6-0 6-3
over Berube & Karis of Canada. In the semi finals they
2014 ITF World Championships,
Florida - April
May 2014 2
Happy girls, Leanne and Ros with GOLD medals
Matt relaxes in the locker room.
Tina Karwasky, Mary Ginnard, Sara Goddard and Helen Shea
C ome to Canberra and experience the great
outdoors! When you are not playing tennis, there
are extensive cycle paths, world-class mountain
biking, and city walking trails. Discover
Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve, or learn about native flora at the
Botanic gardens. Don’t forget the Art Gallery, the War
Memorial and Questacon!
Enjoy an array of stylish restaurants, bars and shops
brimming with local produce and wine – chat to local
winemakers at their cellar door. At night, experience a city
with a vibrant entertainment scene for all tastes.
Play will be conducted on several venues around Canberra,
including the National Sports Club at Lyneham, due for
completion towards the end of 2014.
We would love as many new members as possible to
organise a team! There are four players needed per match in
Men’s and Women’s Doubles, but it’s best to have a couple
of extras. Two courts are used at once, then after two sets,
the players change partners. Play is scheduled from 8am, in
four sessions each of two and a half hours. The team plays
either sessions one and three or two and four, allowing time
in between to enjoy free time, looking around etc. (Do a bike ride, go shopping, sit around and tell jokes.... whatever!)
Read the report on Hobart Teams’ week in the February issue for a first-hand description of a good time!
Teams are being arranged in 5-year age brackets, so your team will be grouped with teams the same age as your youngest
team member. Nominate alone of you don’t have a team, and we’ll find a spot for you!
We have a Team Shirt which must be ordered from the Secretary, and you will need a navy skirt or shorts. Nomination forms
will be sent out in August, so there is plenty of time to get organised. Accommodation is booking out fast though. Try
www.visitcanberra.com.au I found some reasonably priced rooms there! Otherwise, see the list on the TSA website or go
straight to the ACT www.tennisseniors.org.au/act
Cheers, hope to hear from you soon, RC
Australian National Teams’
Carnival - Canberra 2015
3
played the no.2 seeded Americans Ginnard & Karwasky . After a brilliant start, our girls took the first set 6-1 but their highly ranked opponents fought back to win a long second set where almost all games when to deuce, 6-3. The third set was a “Match Tie Break” – first to ten points, and the Americans prevailed 10-7. The Americans went on to lose the final by exactly the same score 10-7 in the match tie break. So our scratch pair while initially disappointed by their close semi final loss, were very pleased to take home a Bronze medal and were in fact not far off Gold. Thanks to Graeme Sticka for this excerpt….
(Continued from page 2)
Metro Tennis Days are on again!
The next one will be held on June
29, at Caterson Tennis Centre,
Castle Hill.
It has been suggested that we hold
them every two months, with
Social Tennis Days in between...
What are YOU doing on July 20?
W e send our thoughts and prayers to all our members who are not
enjoying good health at present.
Adrian Selwyn is still struggling with cancer, and is not having much
success with treatment, so he appreciates our prayers.
There are a few niggling injuries out there, plus some medical issues, so we wish our
members all the best with recovery. Both Ian Fisher and Garry Potter are having part
of their heads cut off! Tell the surgeon to stop before he gets past the neck, fellas!
Mike Hook is luckily running around the court again, after complications with ankle
surgery, with his friend Geoff Banner - who is also battling medical problems. Stay
positive guys, and you’ll be right!
A special mention to all those players achieving “three score years and ten” this
year! Congratulations, it is good to see you all on court, especially those who have
had surgery on knees, shoulders etc in the recent past. Look who’s pictured below!?
Robyn’s Moat Mike Pyne thought all his Xmases had
come at once on finding a gold handbag
on the court in Kooyong in March! It
was happily claimed by QLD’s Norma
McGhie.
May 2014
Welcome,to all these New Members!
Cheerio Corner
New Grandparents’ Honour Roll
“Cloud Nine” again for Maureen
Bartels with the arrival of Aurelio, a bonny, bouncing
grandson on March 4. He is a little brother to Milena, and son of Kendal and Nick . A pigeon
pair for Nanna to spoil!
Damian Hartigan
Suzanne de Witts
Rick Kain
Gerard Baker
Darrell Johns
Tim McDonald
Martine Shaw
Sandra Cooper
Steven Cashman
Warren George
Arthur Burling
Andy Phelan
Scott Churchin
Carolyn Wills
Lorraine Stevenson
Mark Ternes
Madeleine Lerch
Greg Russell
Lyn Blake
Christine Johnson (Charlestown)
Christine Lane
Bruce Martin
Victor Kysilo
Dianne Davenport
Candice Davenport
Geoff Lashford
John Lynch
Laurie Holmes
Simon McGettigan
Keith Williams
Robert Littlefield
Trish Bootland
Dennis Bootland
Brett Durrance
Raelene Rudd
Robert Eldridge
Brian Kauter
Jenny Vodicka
Helen Couper
John Harradine
Salvador Sanchez
Richard Baranski
Cecil Charlton
Fabrizio Perilli
Sam Melita
Tony Haworth
William Suganda
Derek Hamlin
Jodi Muldoon
Lisa Handley
Robyn Thompson
Alan Beesley
Raymond Gough
Cathy Strachan
Andrew Strachan
John Robertson
David Lyons
Carmel Hill
Martin Hole
Warren Marsden
Mark Tucker
Geoff Quinn
Ken Taylor is very ill but he is still hanging in at present. The cancer is very aggressive and has spread to his brain, although it does not appear that his memory is affected. He is so frustrated with not being able to hear, see, and talk too well and not able to play tennis. However, when he has the energy he does enjoy a chitchat with his Tuesday and Thursday tennis groupies.
Another member who is struggling to keep on top of everything is Bruce Burns. He attended the Australian Tennis Museum luncheon, and is under the watchful eye of his daughter at Quakers Hill. He is no longer on Chemotherapy, and is keeping a positive outlook on his treatment.
4
Old tennis players never die - they
just become commentators
124 players were in town to contest the annual ANZAC weekend tournament, with rain
clouds threatening on the Friday. Play went ahead on synthetic grass, but the loam ones
were out until Sunday. All events were completed, and players were happy.
Ruth Johnson and her team were most impressed by all the happy faces at the window
over the entire weekend.
SINGLES
70-75MS George Gelagin Frank McDonald
60MS(1) Mike Phillips Andrew Corbett
60MS(2) Valeriy Rensevich Ian Westmoreland
35-55MS(1) Mike Etherington Steve Hourn
35-55MS(2) Noa Ngauora Mark Feyer
MEN’S Doubles
35-40MD David Rae Glen Woodward Ian Brown Mike Phillips
75-80CMD Steve Taylor Mark Thornber Scott Homsey Antony Hook
100CMD Steve Harris Ray Morrant Kerry Mulley Joseph Panetta
130-140CMD Geoff Beard Peter Emmerson Frank McDonald John Williams
135CMD(1) Geoff Beard Peter Emmerson Mick Bruton John Williams
135CMD(2) Bruce Cashman John Rudd Bernie Breithaupt Terry Wood
120CMD Neil Birks Michael Dunn Richard Jenkins Fred Walker
110CMD(1) Bill Thomson Paul Westaway Steve Harris Ray Morrant
110CMD(2) Neil Matley Ronald Watts Kerry Mulley Joseph Panetta
WOMEN’S Doubles
35-50WD Carolyn Moore Donna Roddom Karen Hanratty Carolyn Perks
120-130CWD(1) Susan Haines Carol Salisbury Denise Martin Julie Pratt
120-130CWD(2) Judy Halbedl Anne Wallis Wendy Izzard Sue Johnston
125CWD Denise Rowsell Carol Salisbury Sue Johnston Julie Pratt
55/60WD(1) Mary Gordon Margaret Wayte Loretta Funnell Denise Martin
55/60WD(2) Judy Cousins Helen Watmore Mary Baker Judy Halbedl
70-100CWD Carolyn Moore Donna Roddom Margaret Goodrick Sue Thomson
MIXED
35XD(1) Antony Hook Simone Everitt Scott Homsey Kath Willis
35XD(2) Mark Thornber Karen Hanratty Steve Taylor Alison Crowe
35XD(3) Grant Robinson Carolyn Perks Peter McGregor Colleen Allen
C70-135XD(1) Antony Hook Simone Everitt Russell Selem Kath Willis
C70-135XD(2) Ian Westmoreland Julie Dickson Paul Kellehear Wendy Izzard
C120-130XD(1) Richard Jenkins Susan Haines Mick Bruton Margaret Wayte
C120-130(2) Ray Morrant Judy Cousins Neil Birks Virginia Warne
B ert Barwick reports that he
is going back to Austria in
June to play three of the 5
tournaments he won last
year, particularly attempting to
win the prestigious Super Seniors
European Championships for the third
year in a row!
Bert has been troubled with a painful
back injury for the last few years and he
believes that this year will be his last in
representative tennis. He hopes to
complete the year by playing for
Australia for the fourth time in Turkey in
October . He recommends to all super
senior players that they plan to go to the
beautiful Poertschach in Austria and play
in the two Cat1 tournaments held there
in June each year. A very good
Cat2 tournament called the “Alpen-Adria
“ is played nearby at Klagenfurt and
precedes the “European” and “Austrian”
Cat1 Tournaments.”
We wish Bert all the BEST!
Gloucester Report, April 25-26-27
Rest in Peace
John Day’s funeral service was held at
Leppington on Thursday March 27.
Margaret Roach gave a touching eulogy…
Condolences have been sent to John’s wife
“Dutch” and she has expressed her thanks to the many tennis seniors who have been in touch
with her.
5
N orthbridge Tennis Club was well represented in Hobart in January with
12 of their members participating in the Teams’ Carnival. The player of
the week during the Individuals would have to be Justin Wood, who did
his version of the “great race” where on two occasions, he jumped in a
taxi to the airport to fly to Melbourne to watch a night session at the Australian
Open finishing at around midnight. This was followed by a quick sleep in a Mel-
bourne Hotel and a 6am flight back to Hobart for a 9.30am match (which he lost) –
I wonder why?
The Club was hosted by Eglinton (Bathurst) Club in a “friendly” in late February,
when 12 members in 3 teams played 4 sets each. They tried to wangle a win out of
the scores , but they were defeated on Rubbers (2-1), Sets and games. However,
they did have the most “black caps” on the court (4-2). The tennis and the spirit in
which it was played were fantastic – even the chainsaw wood cutting at the Country
Fair next door didn’t dampen the day.
The highlight for the fellas was the magnificent spread that was put out for them at
the 250-acre country homestead of Roger and Margaret on Saturday night. It was
such a beautiful night that they ate outside.....sitting on the verandah with plenty of
red wine and delicious steaks on their plates..ohhh, it doesn’t get much better! Only
6 could rouse early on Sunday for a game of social tennis with 6 Eglinton players,
which was most enjoyable, and then a pleasant drive home through the Blue Moun-
tains capped off a wonderful weekend.
Snippets from a report from Clive Wilkinson. Thanks, Clive!
ITF WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS
6
2014:
· Seniors – Palm Beach Gardens, Florida USA Teams: 21-26 April; Individuals: 27 Apr – 4 May
· Super Seniors – Antalya, Turkey Teams: 13-18 October; Individuals 19-26 October
From 2015: the World Championships will be split into three categories: Young Seniors (35-45) Teams: 16-21 March; Individuals: 22-29 March in Antalya, Turkey. Seniors (50-60) Teams: 8-13 June; Individuals: 14-21 June in La Baule, France Super Seniors (65-85) Teams: 21-26 September; Individuals 27 Sep - 4 Oct in Umag, Croatia
In 2016: Young Seniors (35-45) Teams: 2-7 May; Individuals 8-15 May in Rovinj, Vrsar and Umag. Seniors (50-60) Teams: 20-25 June; Individuals June 26 - July 3, Helsinki, Finland Super Seniors (65-85) Teams: 24-29 Oct; Individuals: 30 Oct - 6 Nov in Antalya, Turkey.
W inners were
everywhere-Aussie,
Aussie, Aussie! Oi, Oi,
Oi! Norfolk had
nothing to contain our enthusiasm for
the “Norfolk Island Veterans’
Games”! Even playing till 11pm did
not dampen our spirits! Julie South
managed a record number of 140
entries, but playing late into the night
was not really what we had envisaged.
The “Progressive Dinner” was
foregone by some, but oh well, “we’ll have to do that next time”! The
Governor’s Lodge catered for the Presentation Dinner on Friday night, and they
provided a wide range of tasty fare. One of the tennis players performed with his
band which provided us with plenty of good musical sound and rhythm for
dancing after dinner.
Australian winners of GOLD medals were: 40WD Sharon Mitchell and Bonny
Allison; 50WD Louisa Mortimer and Carol Drucza; 40MD Craig Edwards and
Hadrian Cullum; 70MD Bob Gorman and Tony Harkin; 40XD Craig Edwards
and Sharon Mitchell; 50XD Ian Delbridge (SA) and Debbie Gough (NSW);
65XD Arthur Olsen and Robyn Castle. To cap it off, the Aussies defeated both
Norfolk Island AND New Zealand by 9 rubbers to 1 in the “Tri-Nation”
challenge on Thursday evening. New Zealand had a stranglehold on the trophy
for 16 years straight! (Even though last year Australia had beaten both NZ and
NI, but the “Julie method” gave the trophy to NZ as they had won more rubbers
overall). This year the other two nations were restricted to 3 sets apiece. Yeay!
Silver medals went to: Florence Searle & Sheila Rattray; Geoff Banner & Mike
Hook; Ron Lewis & Col Elliott; Danny Nobbs (NI) & Carol Drucza;Jan McCoy
& Roger Davey (SA); John & Sheila Rattray.
Bronze: 70WD: Joan Connell & Joan Giumelli (two “new” members who are 78
and 81, playing in the 70s!); Arthur Olsen & Bill White (NZ).
Players from the ACT, Bega, Cessnock, Central Coast, Forster, Glenmore Park,
Sydney, Wollongong and other parts of the country numbered about 60, of the
140 entries. Some keen ones flew over from Perth, Adelaide and parts of
Queensland to enjoy the wonderful Norfolk hospitality and “postcard” views of
the island paradise.
Security is not an issue anywhere on Norfolk, you can leave your car unlocked in
the middle of town, your apartment open and come back to find everything
where you left it. There is no graffiti and basically no crime anywhere – no real
need for the 2 or 3 Police officers they had either – and wait for it, NO
breathalyser! With less than 1,500 residents, and everybody responding to the
“Norfolk wave” as you drive around – it feels as though you know everybody!
What a peaceful place it has become – after a terrible start, twice a penal colony
where everyone was treated abominably. The “third settlement” had 193 Pitcairn
Islanders travel the 3,700 Kms to Norfolk, as Pitcairn was not able to sustain
them any longer. From beginning with basically only 9 families, the place has a
diverse culture, and newcomers (with money) are welcome! Self-funded retirees
are particularly welcome.
Next year will see the
tournament celebrating its
Silver Anniversary,
coinciding with the
Centenary of the ANZAC
tradition in Gallipoli. If
you’ve not been there, it’s
well worth a visit. Next
year’s dates are well away
from Easter, April 20 – 27.
Robyn Castle
Membership
Drive
This has been a real
success story for Tennis
Seniors NSW. We have
been conscientiously
trying to attract new
members since early last
year which has netted
499 new members from
all around the state.
Some of our country
members have taken it
on themselves to sign up
club members, from
Ballina, Kiama,
Newcastle, Port
Macquarie, Ulladulla, as
well as from Eglinton
and Tooraweena out
west. We are
endeavouring to keep up
the good work, with
membership still free
until June 30, 2015. The
“Lucky Draw” for
recruiting new members
- a beautiful Head
racquet and bag has
been won by:
Jo Clarke, West Port
Macquarie.
Congratulations Jo!
There will be another
one this year! So get
signing!
All new members may
have membership free
for their first year.
Norfolk Island - April, 2014
7
Well decked-out in Aussie flags, Hadrian Cullum, Craig Edwards, Sharon Mitchell and
Bonny Allison
Howe Park Tennis Club - April 12, 13
T he committee has been working hard to come up with some strategies to help out our Country tournaments
from the inland areas that have been struggling to keep their numbers. An advertisement was sent to all
those with an email address, seeking interest in becoming involved in running one or more of these
tournaments. A Tournament Director’s position is an unenviable task, and as many of us are advancing in
years, we need some younger ones to take up the role. The country clubs have not yet applied for assistance.
Recently at Gosford a team of 40 to 45 year-olds (with someone a tad over 50, was that Bonny or Craig?) did a fabulous
job of looking after 131 competitors, both on and off the court! Hadrian Cullum, Sharon Mitchell, Bonny Allison, (plus
her Mum!), Craig Edwards and Scott Homsey (Chef) made the weekend a really memorable one for most of us. One or
two players were outclassed in their Singles matches, but generally the groups played close matches and had fun. Some
new members thoroughly enjoyed the experience, saying they will be BACK! “Where’s the next one? Newcastle, oh good
– we’ll go!”
On the Management front – we have increased our membership to over 1300 players which is way better than any other
state, and we are trusting that everyone will renew for just $20, in June. Your renewal forms are with this issue of
“Vetscore”. If there are any changes, please write them on the form and either Fax, Scan and email or Post it back to
us for updating our database.
The very popular Mixed Teams’ tournament will be run at Newcastle in the June long weekend, so get your team
together, under age players will also be welcome! Sons and daughters, cousins, whatever – encourage some new ones to
enter into the 35+ spirit and submit an entry by May 26th . Minimum of 2 ladies and 2 men, but the more the merrier!
Up to eight players are allowed in a team, and there are 5 sessions over the 3 days. We finish by lunch time Monday.
We hope to get 15-18 teams.
Thanks to all those who have given positive feedback on the emails I have been sending out, we aim to keep everyone
informed about our activities. If you come up with any brilliant ideas please let us know!
From the Secretary’s Desk
8
Mark Rix is happy to report that while the grass courts were drying out, play was possible on the synthetic, and the following players collected the winners’ trophies:
Combined 85 Mens Doubles – David Williams and Peter Fletcher
Combined 100 Mens Doubles – Geoff Hayes and Russell Anderson
Combined 85 Ladies Doubles – Jodie Moore and Laurie Anne Boag
35/40 Mens Singles – Brett Stevens
50 Mens Singles – Greg Winston
Combined 115 Mens Doubles – Sam Melita and Greg Winston
Combined 100 Ladies Doubles – Vicki Kuba and Helen Burge
35 Mens Doubles – Troy Hancock and Brett Stevens
50 Mens Doubles – Steve Harris and Jim Coutlis
40 Ladies Doubles - Jodie Moore and Laurie Anne Boag
40 Mixed Doubles – Erin Bierne and Jodie Moore
50 Mixed Doubles – Ray Morrant and Helen Burge
85/100 Mixed Doubles – Geoff Mortimer and Louisa Mortimer
May 2014
9
Report on the Gosford Tournament, March 29/30
A n enthusiastic group of “young seniors” managed to stage their first tournament at Gosford most successfully.
Raining every night, but fine in the morning enabled 131 players to get plenty of time on the courts, at Vaughan
Park on the weekend of March 29-30. A very social gathering on Friday night saw some players attempting to
destroy the premises in Copacabana belonging to Mary and Gerry Baker. See the pic - Warren shares the joke
with Arthur Olsen and Judy Halbedl after they had BOTH taken out the flyscreen
door! (See the pic)
Age groups from 35-70 were catered for in Singles, with the “elder statesman” Mike
Phillips coming out on top in his group on Court 6. Others had good competition in
their respective groups, and there was one group of ladies battling it out on Court 11,
with Lisa Corban who is still making a “come-back” – managing to win all her
matches to claim the winner’s prize. Kath Willis and Anne Rouse were “hot on her
tail” but Anne came in second.
Saturday night saw Scott Homsey (a self-employed chef) busy cooking up delicious
“finger foods” out in the barbecue area, much to everyone’s delighted tastebuds.
Bronnwyne Hawkins sang beautifully to start off the Karaoke, with a mixture of
talent following up!
Sunday had a slightly late start due to water having to be removed off the courts, but
all sessions were completed, including the Mixed after lunch. Winners were happy to
receive prizes on completion, and the weekend can be regarded as a resounding
success! A huge thanks to Hadrian Cullum, Sharon Mitchell, Bonny Allison and
Craig Edwards for a fantastic tournament – especially considering it was their first time! We also acknowledge the valuable
support from Rod Rosenfield and Rob Eldridge at Gosford Tennis Centre as well as the wonderful ladies who helped with the
catering and those who assisted with prizegiving.
Sat AM - Ladies singles - 1st Lisa Corban, 2nd Anne Rouse.
Mens 35 singles - 1st Michael Phillips, 2nd James Longa.
Mens 50 singles - 1st Chris Fortis, 2nd Michael Le Pine.
Mens 50/65 singles - 1st Miroslav Pisa, 2nd John Holt.
Mixed Group 1 - 1st Jo Clarke/Glenn Armstrong, 2nd Julie Girdler/Rob Eldridge.
Group 2 - 1st Clare Wagemans/Keith Olds, 2nd Louisa and Geoff Mortimer.
Group 3 - 1st Judy Halbedl/Warren Hall, 2nd Anne Wallis/Warren George.
Sat PM – Ladies’ doubles
Group 1 - 1st Anne Rouse/Lisa Corban, 2nd Mary Gordon/Steph Bowler.
Group 2 - 1st Bonny Allison/Julie Girdler, 2nd Mary Baker/Fay Yiannakopoulos.
Group 3 - 1st Julie Andrews/Kath Willis, 2nd Monique Spiller/Robyn Castle.
Group 4 - 1st Helen Gordon/Kerrie Bristow, 2nd Judy Halbedl/Kate McDonald.
Men’s doubles
Group 1 - 1st Glenn Armstrong/Wayne Dickinson, 2nd Troy Bailey/Antony Hook.
Group 2 - 1st Stephen Le Roy/Paul Westaway, 2nd Rainer Matas/Micheal Russell.
Group 3 - 1st Geoff Mortimer/Ray Morrant, 2nd Warren Hall/Warren George.
Group 4 - 1st Joe Malmberg/Graham Poulsen, 2nd Sam Melita/Kris Renneberg.
Sun AM – Ladies’ Doubles
Group 1 - 1st Di Cassel/Leanne Swaysland, 2nd Fiona Weinert/Kim Bullock.
Group 2 - 1st Mary Baker/Clare Wagemans, 2nd Bronnwyne Hawkins/Mary Gordon.
Group 3 - 1st Sharon Donaldson/Laurie Holmes, 2nd Pat Hurst/Kath Willis.
Group 4 - 1st Robyn Thompson/Lindy Gerke, 2nd Judy Halbedl/Fay Yiannakopoulos.
Group 5 - 1st Robyn Castle/Denise Martin, 2nd Helen Gordon/Kerrie Bristow.
Men’s Doubles
Group 1 - 1st Brad Middleton/Craig Edwards, 2nd Glenn Armstrong/Wayne Dickinson.
Group 2 - 1st Ron Kohn/Craig Boyce, 2nd Peter Reardon/Allan Thwaite.
Group 3 - 1st Geoff Mortimer/Brett Durrane, 2nd John Robertson/Geoff Banner.
Group 4 - 1st Mick Bruton/John Whittaker, 2nd Warren Hall/Warren George.
Sun PM Mixed
Group 1 - 1st Sharon Mitchell/Craig Edwards, 2nd Fi Weinert/Hadrian Cullum.
Group 2 - 1st Laurie Holmes/Troy Bailey, 2nd Judy Halbedl/Warren Hall.
Group 3 - 1st Mary and Gerry Baker, (See pic), 2nd Pat Hurst/Brett Durrane.
Group 4 - 1st Bev Waugh/Col Armstrong, 2nd Alan Beesley/Fay Yiannakopoulos.
“”Co-destroyers” - Arthur & Judy-
Group 3 Winners - Mary & Gerry Baker
A ‘bit’ of a Tennis/Life Profile!
Dear Robyn,
I must confess to 2 things – no, possibly 3:
1-This all started because I happened to read the eulogy for Allan Kendall and it called to mind that the ‘schoolboy’ he beat
in the NSW Schoolboys’ Final in 1946 was none other than me. We had a fiery 3-set match on centre court at White City. We
played each other many times over the years and I would say that we split about even although it seems in later years the
edge, somehow, was more my way. Sometimes it was easier depending on how his wind was that day and this was directly
related to how many cigarettes Allan had smoked previous to the match! I recall a ferocious match in a veterans’ final at
Canberra probably 15 or so years ago where Allan fought to the last point and I always seemed to do more running than he!
But the last match we ever played was a Canberra final and after a lot of wins by me I lost that one! You could never take
Allan lightly.
Allan and I were Life Members of White City having both been members for more than 50 years – worthless now!
Talking of Kendall always brings to ‘life’ his constant tennis partner Alan Bailey. They were both great players (as distinct
from just good) and were inseparable. I remember one time I beat Alan was in a NSW final at Rockdale(probably in 2000).
Alan had won the 1st set and was leading 4-2 in the 2nd set – then I won the next 10 games! When I came off someone
remarked, “You were hot!” Luckily, I have been “hot” ever since. We played numerous times but Alan never won after that!
2- I have fun trying to live by the ‘creed’ that I came in with ‘very little’ and will go out with nothing.
Thus I have never seriously kept records except for a few bits and pieces in an old shoe box. That is the result partly too of a
wandering life – you could nearly call it the life of a ‘drifter!’
How drifters – the true Australian Stockman is a drifter – ever achieve anything I do not know but it does happen, sometimes.
Thus memory becomes the constant and only stable companion. This memory business used to be a challenge and for the
better, but now I think that it’s a liability and – for the worse!
3- Expanding on 1- and 2- with what is left of memory: A little anecdote:
We (my eldest Daughter Dr Megan Alle and I) lived for a little while on Balboa Island in Newport Beach Harbour just south
of Los Angeles. She had just graduated from Sydney University and tried her luck at becoming Dad’s “Volley Dolly!” This
was a great time in the late 70’s and early 80’s, we travelled up and down the Californian coast playing lots of tennis in
reality before Vets’ Tennis got seriously under way in Australia. The ‘children’ were mightily intrigued in those days by my
postal addresses, PO Box 4 Newport Beach, NSW and PO Box 4 Newport Beach, California.
That would not happen often.
Tennis:
As a Veteran at some stage or other I have won State titles in all states/territories except Tasmania. NSW singles and doubles;
VIC singles and doubles; SA, WA, ACT, QLD singles and some doubles that I can’t remember! National Australian Vets
singles doubles and mixed at least 3 times each usually with different partners as my welcome wore out. The last national
doubles win was even this year in Hobart with John O’Brien. The first national doubles was with Merv Lord, what a good
doubles player he must have been. That was 1988 in Perth and we beat Bailey and Kendall in the final. In 2010 on the Gold
Coast with my very good mate, Don Cosgrove, we won the national doubles that year. Don was also a very good doubles
player with a mighty backhand return from the 2nd court.
In my opinion John O’Brien is and has always been one of the best senior players in the world. Chance and life did not allow
John to garner more titles than he has. His ground strokes are superb. Watching him beat John Powless world No1. January in
Hobart was wonderful. John stroked Powless off the court for a 6-3 6-3 win.
Being overseas often on business provided ample opportunities for tennis. Thailand, Pattaya Beach etc were all popular
places. Even this year we went back to Pattaya for the Thai Championships. The entries were good but the standard overall
not so high. I won the 75+ singles (aged 83!) against a steady Jap player. The remarkable performance was by Adrienne Avis.
She stroked brilliant flawless tennis to play down 20 years in the 45+ Ladies against some tough opposition – and won.
While working in the NT in 1952/53 I won the NT Open Tournament in Darwin. Ken Rosewall came there the next year and
won. In those days it was the easiest ‘lead-in’ to climbing up the state ladder. That reminds me of beating Ken in the final of
the Manly Seaside probably in 1948. He and Hoad were in the Davis cup squad later that year. That year I also won the
Special Singles at Manly and Bromwich just!! beat me in the open – big news write-up about that match!! That was too much
pressure for me (I didn’t like Hopman, too authoritarian and preferred to go surfing!). So ended serious tennis.
In early 1951 I left Sydney for a ‘rollicking’ life that covered at least 3 marriages, 6 children, many companies, constant
travel often internationally and a lot of incredible fun - and only a little baggage, mainly in a shoe-box. This enabled me to
drop in onto tournaments quite unexpectedly both in Australia and overseas – sometimes much to the annoyance of ‘local’
players. I remember being in Switzerland one year probably 1963 and playing open tournaments at 2 quite big events held
those day in the pretty resort ‘villages’ of Champerey and Diableret and winning them both. Then not playing in Suisse again
until 2010/2011 at Klosters (when I was 80) and winning in those years their national Cat.1 tournament.
10 May 2014
A letter to the Editor - “Life Story”
from an “oldie” in QLD
That helps me recall that in 2006 I was in England, won the Cat.1 national at Bournemouth, then won at Frinton-on-Sea and
in between went to Poland and won their national (75+ then) at Sopot. What a beautiful old-world place Sopot is. We went to
a Verdi Opera (I forget which one!) held in an incredible forest setting and everyone decked out in evening attire. Just as
well it was a perfectly fine, warm evening. Poland was booming already then and now it is leaping ahead with many
business opportunities. They are hard-working, dependable, efficient people that you can trust. I married one – I was the
undependable one! In 2007 a local lass tempted me to see the picturesque town of Merano at the foothills of the Dolomites in
Italy. I won – the tennis.
How many more tournaments and tennis fun there was, still to be until the ‘drop’ occurs.
In early vet years 50+ I never offered for national team selection. In later years however – as I settled down! – the
international teams’ tennis was fun. I/We always seemed to be hedged in by Lorne Main from Canada, he was a 1-man team
and was world champion 11 times, or Henri Crutchet from France. I played Lorne 1,000 times but never beat him. I would
meet him in a world ¼ or semi year after year and all hopes would be dashed. Even as late as 2012 in the world at Umag he
beat me 6-1 6-0 in the semi. In 2011 in the Worlds at Ali Bey he beat me 6-1 6-0 in the semi!
National Teams in later years were great fun. Thrilling matches there were many. In the 80+ teams held in 2011 at Ali Bey
even though we had won the 1st two singles against Great Britain (Doug Corbett had a magnificent win against John Draper
and I won my No.1 singles) we still had to play the doubles rubber to see which team was to come 4 th, 5th or 6th. Fourth was
passable, 6th was terrible. Doug Corbett had done his magnificent bit.
Anyhow Neville Halligan our other and illustrious team member and then already 89 years of age, said to me,
“c’mon Adrian, we can beat these British blighters.”
Well of course the Great Britain guys thought they had it won –‘let’s play this old nearly 90-year old guy to death.’ Well
what a big mistake they made. Nev played magnificently and we won!
Incidentally, sadly Neville, as you all know, recently passed away. What a Gentleman and what a great positive spirit that
man had. We shared a bottle of Mumm’s and reminisced a week or so before he passed away.
I learnt a lot from being with Neville – I needed to learn a lot and I was lucky to have had Neville as the teacher! Don’t know
whether it has done me any good or not, though, but certainly my red wine consumption has improved..
At this stage I must say I, and many others, we sure do realise just how much his good partner, travel assistant, trusted
companion, Maree, must miss those wonderful times with him. We all think of you Maree. Life is a slow constant
evolvement. It can be beautiful or painful depending solely on the individual. Maree, you brought lots of beauty into both
your lives. So there! Nice things like that do not go unnoticed.
Then there were all the country tournaments over many years. I recall a big group of us always going down to Mildura. I
have a vague recollection that I won whatever singles age group I was in for 10 years out of 11 – surely that can’t be right!
Merimbula was another great place. We went there many times, Kel Kable and I always having a marathon doubles final
against Bobby Riddle and Brian Hoysted – I wonder if the 3 of them remember those tight matches. – and of course I wonder
where they all are now. Griffith, Wangaratta, Gulargambone and West Wyalong and of course Bathurst and swags more.
When we were juniors we played for sporting companies. I played for Slazengers. Every holiday weekend we went where
we were told no matter who we were. At Armidale, Bob Howe was the champion up there. He was attending the Teachers’
College after first being at Sydney University. We all played for Sydney Uni. There was Allan Kendall, Neville Head,
Arthur Addinall, Ted Halliday, Bob Howe, myself. We were a strong team and we won many University Blues.
I have just turned up one old 1959 newspaper cutting. The NSW South Coast Bega Tourney used to be ‘big-time’. It was at
that time that I garnered the name,”Brick-Wall Alle!” as per the cutting.
It does seem strangely appropriate – now 55 years later a brick wall is looming up rather large and yet still challenging.
Robyn, this has turned into a real book! It’s about now 4.30am on a warm Gold Coast Wednesday. I may as well keep going
until I drop. You will need to discard plenty or make a separate book!! I have always found that I work well in the dark!
On further thought, I will leave it here.
I do recall that I was in the first edition of ‘Tennis’ magazine, (was that the name of it?) when it came out I think around Sept
1948. Jack Crawford and I shared the 1st edition write-up! I did have a copy but the bottom fell out of the shoe-box.
Best Regards,
Adrian Alle B.E. (Hons).
“Life Story” - continued.......
11
Tennis Seniors NSW
Dec 2013 - Dec 2014
Executive:
President Mick Bruton Phone: .................................... 9679 0355 Mobile: ............................... 0416 219 656
Vice President Ian King Phone ..................................... 4283 3617 Mobile: ............................... 0416 036 815
Secretary Robyn Castle Phone: .................................... 9624 7075 Fax: ........................................ 9838 9236 Mobile: .............................. 0400 389 234 E-mail: .. [email protected]
Treasurer Arthur Olsen Phone: .................................... 9816 4196 Mobile: .............................. 0400 525 591
Committee:
Maureen Bartels Mobile: ............................... 0418 487 656 Carol Campling Mobile: ............................... 0401 057 866 Craig Edwards Mobile ................................ 0412 185 130 Greg Scott Mobile ................................ 0416 246 111 Graeme Sticka Phone ..................................... 9713 5597 Mobile ................................ 0418 402 415 Jo Walter Mobile: ............................... 0416 260 274 John Whittaker Phone ..................................... 9680 2090
State Selectors
Men Arthur Olsen ............................ 9816 4196 Craig Bullivant ......................... 9629 8525 Mick Bruton ........................ 0416 219 656 Women
Carol Campling ...................... 8065 9647 Jo Walter ........................... 0416 260 274 Margaret Wayte ...................... 6557 6481 National Selectors
Narelle Follington .................... 6762 3239 Jo Walter ........................... 0416 260 274 Carol Campling ...................... 8065 9647 Di Cassel ........................... 0426 227 946 Graeme Sticka ................... 0418 402 415
Tennis Court Services
Northern NSW
T.C.S specialises in the maintenance and repair of
synthetic grass and acrylic tennis courts.
We offer:
Grooming Repairs Algae and Moss removal
Sand adjusting Raised lines levelled
Pressure Cleaning Resurfacing Pool Surrounds
Contact Neil for a ‘no obligation’ quote
Please phone: 02 6555 3988 0409 609 203
Email: [email protected]
Over 20 years in the tennis court industry
Member of Tennis NSW and
Tennis Seniors NSW
T C S ABN: 32 923 447 570
ATTENTION ALL NEW MEMBERS!
Are you aware that Tennis Seniors NSW has its
own Tracksuit? Made by KEA Australia,
and they last “forever”!
The pants have a l-o-n-g zipper for easy removal,
and the top is excellently crafted with three
vibrant blue and white panels.
Tops: $135
Pants: $60
Phone Robyn 9624 7075
or Arthur on 9816 4196
(You can have your name embroidered
for personal identification)