Newsletter February 2006
Winter Winners
Many people, even those who play tennis, believe that tennis is just a summer game. mltc shows that this is not the case. Whilst lack of rain is not too good for the water supply, it is good for tennis and often all nine courts have been used during the week as well as on weekends. In fact, Saturday afternoons, when one might expect strong demand for courts, many of them are free – probably because members think that the courts are used for matches. Not so in winter. Most matches are played on Sundays in the morning.
Events
Planned events for the coming year are
American Tournament on Sun April 2
Quiz on Saturday May 27
BBQ on Saturday July 1
Dinner Dance on Saturday September 30 at the Crown Plaza, Marlow
Mini news
I notice that Nicola Capel-Davies – a not-so-long-ago strong junior- is now a teacher at Desborough Boys School
Child Protection
Alterations have been made to the Club Child Protection Statement, and the document is supported by a set of guidelines.
The documents are displayed on the club notice board but, in addition, copies of both documents are enclosed with the membership renewal for juniors. The parents of all juniors are required to acknowledge receipt of this document by returning the acknowledgement slip. Please note that the return of the slip is obligatory and renewal of membership will be delayed until it is received.
Juniors by Mary Stanley
With the help of Richard and Megan I organised an American Tournament to raise money for Children in Need and provided hot dogs and chilli for all participants. £115 was raised and the club donated £50.
This year in the NJCL we have entered 2 boys U14 teams, 2 girls U14 teams and an U18 boys team. In the Road to Wimbledon competition there are also both Boys and Girls U14 teams.
Further information is on the Junior noticeboard.
Tennis Ladder
Members are invited to join a singles Tennis Ladder which will start very soon. The list is on the notice board in the clubhouse. A regular American tournament is also proposed for Thursday afternoons and likewise a notice is in the clubhouse.
Easter Junior Tournament
This tournament will be held in early April over a week and it will mark the return of Liz Moore behind the counter to feed the masses. Any profit from the sale of food will be divided between the club and charity
Mens Teams
The club has decided to reduce the number of men’s teams which are fielded in the summer to 6 – This should increase the number of courts available on a Saturday
Any other News
If anyone has any news such as what is happening to past members or events, please let the editor know. News of the club and match results are published on the web site as and when, so keep an eye on mltc.co.uk If you are wondering whether the courts will be busy, check on the web site for the match timetable. If you want to know how to get to your match, check on the web site. If you want someone’s phone number, check the web site. Coaching courses? Web site. Social events? Web site
Mar 12 05 One item which escaped the Newsletter was the Ladies Report. You can find it under Tennis/Teams/Adults/Ladies
NEWSLETTER FEBRUARY 2005:
SHIRE HORSE CENTRE
By Dave Scarbrough—Chairman
There has been much activity within the committee because the Shire Horse Centre (TSHC) has come back onto the market – the sale at which we bid in November 2003 was never concluded.
At we said at the EGM we have a great club with a wonderful atmosphere, so why move? However, our All Saints Avenue (ASA) site is constrained and bounded on all sides. We have recently managed to obtain planning permission for the Kids Zone but this was difficult. We would love to improve all our facilities but we know that will be very difficult, maybe impossible.
At the EGM I explained that the reason why the committee were in favour was because the move is all about planning for our future. Not next year but the next decade and the next centenary. We can only afford to move once so we do need to get it right.
Our first problem was to get freehold of our ASA site, which we achieved. Next it is to get ourselves in a position to move should an opportunity occur in the coming years or, with TSHC, actually move.
At a recent committee meeting we decided to submit a conditional bid. This is subject to us getting planning permission at ASA for housing and at TSHC for our minimum requirements.
At the same committee meeting we agreed that our minimum requirements were clubhouse, 13 floodlit courts (including Kids Zone) plus 3 covered courts. This last requirement is additional to what we said at the EGM. This is because we now believe that this is the way that tennis is going, the LTA are saying this and if we don’t ensure we can get them before we move we might be very disappointed in the future if we can’t subsequently get planning permission for them.
Bids were submitted on Thursday 10th Feb. - unfortunately our bid, which was conditional on planning permission, was not successful! So far!
Is your glass half empty or half full? By Nigel Mann
In 2001, a sports psychologist analysed the mental skills of the top 100 men and women tennis players and 100 of the leading business people in the world. I am sure that it comes as no surprise to you that virtually every business man/woman and top tennis player was regarded as a optimistic thinker and would use those positive thoughts to help them improve their performance.
Talent is not enough to triumph in sport and business. It is not superior technique that separates champions, it is superior nerve. However you cannot think your way to victory alone, it has to be accompanied by good technique, sound tactical application and excellent fitness. But, if you are locked in a very tight match against an equal opponent, then your mental skills and the way in which you think are vital.
I have listed the skills we need to develop positive thinking and briefly how we can develop them.
Concentrate 100% throughout the match. Don’t let it waver. During the crunch part of the match stare at the ball intensely identifying the spin, speed and trajectory. ie Busy the mind to eradicate negative thoughts.
Practice positive self talk (deep second serve) and change negative self talk into positives eg “I hate the wind – the wind is a challenge for both of us”
Develop a list of personal achievements which you can refer to reaffirm your self belief in times of adversity.
Aim for perfection, but accept excellence, when performing. Rarely are you in the zone for the whole match.
Model yourself on somebody you respect as a positive thinker. Ask the question, what would they think and do in this situation?
Developing strong mental skills is no different from developing your serve. Your newly acquired skill needs to be regularly practiced to maintain the improved confidence levels and to create an unconscious competence which you are able to access without thinking about it, i.e. it becomes a natural response.
I hope this article is useful to you. If you would like to discuss it further, please do not hesitate to speak to me.
Good luck and above all enjoy your tennis during 2005.
First Aid Kits
First Aid kits are kept in the entrance hall by the ‘phone, in the kitchen and the office. Ice packs are kept in the kitchen ‘fridge. Please leave the kits tidy after use and report deficiencies to Keith. If you need an ice pack please use it but please remember to return it for others to use
WEB SITE
This newsletter has also been sent by post to the membership unless you opted to receive it by the internet. Most of the information you need about the club can be obtained on the web site. Ultimately, it may be that you will not receive anything through the post but read it on your computer. This will save a lot of time and quite a few trees.
Access to some of the information needs a user name and a password. The user name is mltc and the password is the same as the numerical door code for the club house . Access to the clubhouse also requires a key—if you need one or the door code please contact Keith Ashby .
Information on the web site is kept up to date though sometimes there is not much change as there is little to report. Information on the web site includes:
News
Forthcoming events
Schedule of all matches
Junior pages
Photos taken at recent events
Committee members
Match results
Match reports
Club rules and regulations
Members’ phone directory
Direction to other clubs for matches
Handicap calculator
Coaching courses
and quite a bit more. If you have anything to add or any comments about the web site contact PMessing @tiscali.co.uk
Top Flight Challenge at Maidenhead
Top flight tennis comes to Maidenhead not once but thrice this year!
The sensational Mens 2nd team join the first team in the National league and have been promoted
to the National 2nd division. This means that that there will be top class tennis to watch and support during April, May and June.
Maidenhead LTC 1st Team spearhead by Richard Downs and ably supported by a squad including Pip Downs, James Weeks, Robert Flynn and Nigel Mann start their campaign in the Premier Division
of the National League against title contenders Esporta Bracknell. Last year, the team finished 4th in the South West division and its members are keen to see whether they can improve on last year.
The Mens 2nd were promoted from the county divisions last year and won an exciting play off place decider against the champions from Hampshire. Maidenhead 2nd Team (includes Geoff Egby, Alan Brown, Dan Cole, Justin Spanswick and Gareth Jackson) has been placed in Division 2 East and will play against teams from Middlesex, Hertfordshire and Essex. (contd…..)
The first team squad have also been doing rather well in the National Premier Doubles League which fits in between the Winter and the Summer leagues though not necessarily club based. Richard and Philip Downs played very successfully for a team last year helping them to the finals. This year they are again in the finals with a MLTC based team which Richard has organised and led with financial support of the club. They have lost only one match and have fought through to the finals which will be held in Teeside. Apart from the usual suspects (in the photo above) Tim Paton, Robert Flynn and Geoff Egby have also played—Geoff in the final thrilling match against Harpenden. Geoff and James Weeks, having lost to the 2nd pair, needed to beat the first pair for the team to reach the finals having lost to the 2nd pair. They succeeded.
It is well worth coming out to support these teams and they will appreciate it too.
Rules to live by (tennis
If you hit the ball over the net with so much spin that it bounces back over the net, your opponent may reach over the net (without touching the net) and play a shot. If he does not play a shot, the point is yours. Normally, reaching over the net loses you the point unless it is on the follow through.
If you hit the ball such that it hits the racket a number of times, it is still a legal shot, provided it is a continuous movement and not two or more stabs at the ball.
Alll the rules of tennis can be gleaned from the LTA’s web site www.itftennis.com.
NEWSLETTER NOVEMBER 2004:
Chair piece
125 years old this year! One of the oldest clubs in the country and still doing so well. We have a huge waiting list, so we must be doing something right. All our social events have been themed the 125th and then, just before finals day, we had our special fun day with lots of different events. On the day we gathered lots of old photos and newspaper clippings. Our thanks to Richard Suiters who has donated to the club the scrapbooks prepared by Brenda & Ron Suiters. A grand day was had by all, including the mayor. Following a suggestion from a member we intend next year to have a ‘family day’ along similar lines.
Some of our teams have done fantastically well this year. Our under-14 girls got to the national semi-final – congratulations to Jessica, Lauren, Sage and Rebecca. Whilst Nigel Mann, Gareth Jackson, Mike Bottomley, Chris Gray (see above) and Peter Childs took our top veterans (over 45) team to the same stage.
On the facilities side, you have probably noticed that courts 1, 2 & 3 are now back to their best after being re-painted; the kitchen has been revamped; we are progressing with resolving the outstanding planning issues so that we can build the Kids Zone.
You may be wondering what is happening with a possible move. Well, simply, not much – we are awaiting another opportunity to present itself.
I realise that it is approaching winter, but I hope that you will keep playing and enjoying your tennis.
Dave Scarbrough
Chairman
ANOTHER SIDE TO THE TENNIS
If you have been too engrossed in just tennis, you may have missed some of the following which were organized or supported by members of the Social and Bar and CateringCommittee (SBCC):
QUIZ EVENING 6th December 2003
Mike Bottomley organised the annual Quiz evening. Chris and Denise Downs cooked bangers and mash for everybody. As usual, the event was well attended and great fun was had by all.
JUNIOR OPEN EASTER TOURNAMENT 12th April
Chris & Denise Downs, with a marvellous team of helpers, catered the whole week, from 8.30 a.m. until 7.00 p.m. some nights. The new kitchen equipment proved invaluable, especially the dishwasher! The delivery of the range cooker half way through the week was interesting to say the least! We served breakfasts, BBQ’s, Paninis, Jacket Potatoes and refreshments etc. all week, to hundreds of ravenous players and parents from all over the country. We are very grateful for all the help in the kitchen and the donation of cakes. Luckily the weather was kind to us. The profits from last year’s tournament bought the table football, which was heavily used during the week! This year’s profit will again go to helping our Juniors.
DINNER AND DANCE 15th May
Phyllis Court on the banks of the Thames at Henley was again the venue of another evening of sybaritic pleasure and gossip generation which was again organised by Orapin Dawson. It is always interesting to see those whom we are accustomed to see in short skirts and track suits dressing in an altogether different style.
SENIOR NATIONAL CLUB LEAGUE
Chris organised BBQ’s for players and spectators at the home matches. As the team has stayed up in the first division, playing some of the top players in the country, he intends to repeat this. Come and support the team, which includes the club coaches, Nigel Mann and Richard Downs, playing both singles and doubles. Notices will be posted in the spring.
BBQ 17th July
A great fun affair with lots of energetic dancing afterwards A special mention here to Peter Wheeler for all his help. Apologies to those who could not come because of the date change, due to ChrisDowns’ prior commitments. Watch for next year’s date, which will include an optional pre-BBQ tournament. We hope to do a pig-roast instead of the standard BBQ.
AMERICAN TOURNAMENT & BBQ 8th August
The whole of the Downs’ family organised a seeded, sell-out American Tournament for all standards of players. Players and families attended a BBQ afterwards, with Pimms and other refreshments. Due to popular demand, we intend to run regular American Tournaments with food throughout the year.
125TH YEAR CELEBRATION DAY 5th September
With lots of events, including exhibition matches, fastest serve, etc. etc., many attended, including the mayor. The day was a huge success and gratifyingly so, especially for the young juniors. A special sub-committee, headed by Suzette Richards with Mike Bottomley as chief BBQ chef.
FINALS DAY 12th September
Close to 200 members, players, non-members and umpires were looked after with a BBQ and salad lunch. Peter Herke organised the matches whilst, as usual, Chris, Denise and their helpers in the kitchen, managed the catering in between watching their sons win both the men’s singles and doubles events! Cream teas and cake were served late afternoon. Many, many thanks go to the helpers and the contributors of the wonderful cakes, desserts, sandwiches and salads.
HALLOWE’EN AMERICAN TOURNAMENT & SUPPER 31st October
Another sell-out American Tournament with supper which went extremely well with participants applauding the Downs for organing the whole thing! All nine courts were used, there was some streaming by ability which was very well received by all the players who seemed to have thoroughly enjoyed the afternoon and the sit down supper afterwards, themed to Halloween.
Di Chandler (in a wig) with Kate Braxton
FRIDAY EVENING TOURNAMENTS
Originally winter only, Chris now runs fun tournaments for 18 players and substitutes throughout the year, organising BBQs and hot food. It is heavily oversubscribed, but please do add your name to the list of reserves, as they are regularly used.
FORTHCOMING EVENTS THIS YEAR.
THE SBCC intend to organise at least one event every month. Schedules of events will be posted on the Club’s noticeboards (see also News on Website). We have been asked by members to provide a BBQ at one of the mix-in evenings throughout the summer. This would necessitate a team of members willing to help on a regular basis. Volunteers please! The SBCC is also looking into upgrading the bar facilities and the bar area. Members will be kept informed of any news on this front.
Social, Bar and Catering Committee members:
Chris Downs; Mike Bottomley; Suzette Richards; Peter Wheeler.
LADIES’ TEAMS REPORT – 2003/4
by Jan Price
WINTER LEAGUE – 2003/4
This season, we were in the unfortunate position of having 3 of our 6 teams in the same division – the 3rd, 4th and 5th teams were all in Div 4 (the 3rds having been relegated last year from Div 3). This was not an ideal situation, as it meant that our teams had to play against each other and therefore we were, in effect, fielding a side to lose!
Our aim was to try to get the 3rds promoted back up to Div 3. Going into the last match, we knew we were in 2nd place, but only by 1 point. As the 3rds had to play against the 4ths in this match and won, we knew that the 3rds, on 16 points, would go up next season.
However, at the other end of this league, our 4ths and 5ths appeared perilously close to relegation on 6 points each (2 up, 2 down) and in the end it came down to tally of ‘rubbers’ Although they were equal on points, the 4ths came out on top, having won one more rubbers than the 5ths, who they managed to beat into 6th place and therefore stayed put in Div 4. Sadly, the 5ths finished in the relegation zone and will play in Div 5 next season with the newly promoted 6th team who did brilliantly well to finish 2nd in Div 6. Well done to them!
The 2nd team had a reasonably successful season in Div 2, finishing on 10 points, and should remain safely in this league next season. However, in Div 1, the 1st team’s position on only 6 points was a little worrying, but they were lucky, and did enough to finish mid table and stay in the 1st Division next season.
TEAM DIVISION POINTS WON LOST FINISHED
1st 1 6 2 5 5th out of 8 Stay in Div 1
2nd 2 10 3 4 6th out of 8 Stay in Div 2
3rd 4 16 5 2 2nd out of 8 Promoted to Div 3
4th 4 6 2 5 6th out of 8 Stay in Div 4
5th 4 6 2 5 7th out of 8 Relegated to Div 5
6th 6 16 6 1 2nd out of 8 Promoted to Div 5
SUMMER LEAGUE – 2004
The stars of the Summer matches were the players of the 3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th teams who all managed to come either top or in second place of their respective divisions and gain promotion.
The 1sts, having gained promotion to the first division this season by coming top of Div 2 last summer, struggled in this very tough Div 1. Sadly, they were unable to win any matches. They will be back in Div 2 next summer.
The 2nd team did well in Div 3B and finished mid table. They will remain in Div 3B next summer.
The 3rds and 4ths had an excellent summer, the 3rds winning all their matches, finishing top of Div 4A, and the 4ths coming 2nd in Div 4B. Both teams will be promoted to Div 3 where they will join the 2nds next summer.
Similarly, both the 5ths and 6ths had an extremely successful season, both coming second in Div 5A and 5B respectively and will be promoted to Div 4 next season.
TEAM DIV’S’N POINTS WON LOST FINISHED
1st 1 1 0 5 6 out of 6 Relegated to Div 2
2nd 3B 6 2 3 4th out of 6 Stay in Div 3
3rd 4A 14 5 0 1st out of 6 Promoted to Div 3
4th 4B 10 3 2 2nd out of 6 Promoted to Div 3
5th 5A 11 4 1 2nd out of 6 Promoted to Div 4
6th 5B 12 4 1 2nd out of 5 Promoted to Div 4
This year we welcomed 3 new players to our top teams; Oksana Ivanova, Gill Peplow and Claire Roberts. All three have added much needed strength in the 1st and 2nd teams and their inclusion has obviously meant that some regular players have ‘dropped’ down a team. We have also been pleased to welcome several junior girls into the teams; Lauren Webb, Lisa Bailey and Jessica Franco have all competed this summer and I hope to include other invited juniors in the teams in future. This was the second year in succession that the 6ths have finished in the promotion position and illustrates the strength of our squads. The standard of tennis in all teams, as illustrated by this summer’s results, is so close that teams are often competing in the same divisions. Next summer we will have 3 teams in Div 3, and 2 in Div 4; not an ideal situation but at least the level of tennis will be high.
I would like to thank Sue Thomson, Mary Coleman, Gwen King, Lynne Chisholm and Gill Snelgar
for their help and support with the Ladies Teams this year as well as ALL the team players.
Veterans Report
National Knockout Competition
Men Over 45 : Mike Bottomley Captain (Nigel Man, Mike Bottomley, Gareth Jackson, Chris Gray, Peter Childs ) reached the semi-final and will play Aylesbury end of this month.. The final will be played at Nottingham in November.
Men Over 55 Team : Alan Frampton Captain ( Bob Reynolds, Bob Duncan, Alan Frampton & Mike Cook). Lost in the first round and went on to consolation draw.
Men Over 60 Team : Peter Herke Captain ( John Adcock, Mike Davison, Charlie Coish & Peter Herke ) Lost in the first round.
Ladies Over 50 : Regina Egby Captain ( Regina Egby, Athena Vassib, Gwen King, & Danielle Rycroft ) Lost in the first round.
Vets Berkshire Summer League 2004
Men over 45 : A team ( Mike Bottomley captained ) won 5-0 and came first and B team ( Alan Frampton captained) came third position, C Team ( John Adcock captained) came fifth , all in Division 1. D team ( Paul Messing captained ) have not got result to date.
Men Over 55 : the A team captained by Alan Frampton won all their matches 6-0, they have not dropped a set and came 1st position in their division for two consecutive year. The team players were Bob Reynolds, Bob Duncan, Mike Cook, Alan Frampton, John Adcock and Dick Tevor. Well done!. B team captained by Peter Herke won 3 l-3 and came fourth position.
Ladies Over 40:
A team , captained by Gwen King, came second and B team, captained by Mary Coleman, came third , both in Division 1. C team , captained by Lynn Chisholm came fifth in Division 2 and D team captained by Gill Snelgar came first in Division 4.
All in all Veterans Teams have a good year and performed well especially the first teams of Men & Ladies. Well done and thank you to all of you who take part in matches.
Orapin Dawson : Veterans Representative.
Men Teams
Over 45 Division Played Won-lost Position
A Team
1 5 5-0 First
B Team
1 6 3 - 2 Third
C Team
1 5 1 – 4 Fifth ?
D Team
2 6 ? ?
Ladies Team
Over 40 Division Played Won – Lost Position
A Team
1 6 4 – 2 First
B Team
1 6 3 - 3 Third ?
C Team
2 6 1-5 Fifth
D Team
4 6 4 - 2 First
Men Teams
Over 55 Division Played Won – Lost Position
A Team
6 6 - 0 First
B Team
6 3 - 3 Fourth
Men Knockout
Played Won- Lost Position
Over 45
5 5 – 0 Semi-final
Over 55
2 1 - 1 Consolation matches
Over 60
Ladies over 50 1
1 0 -1
1
Design a new Bar area
Would you like to help revamp our bar area - can you draw or sketch plans? The committee is considering improving the bar area. Do you have any idea and can you put them on paper? How about another storey, a covered patio, a viewing balcony, a conservatory. Give us your ideas and your help. Contact Gerry Murray 637988, Mike New 789897, Paul Messing 789567 or John Voisey 626642. We have drawings from which you could work.
Communication is Key! Coaching tips by Nigel Mann
Having played doubles for nearly 35 years, I have learned through experience that good doubles combinations have developed strong communication skills.
Here are a few tips to improving communication between you and your partner(s):-
Be positive, supportive and encouraging towards your partner. This could be by using words that he/she can relate to and by the use of non verbal communication – a nod or smile of encouragement is very encouraging to a partner who needs reassurance. Conversely, a frown or grimace
sends a negative message to your partner, so don’t let your frustrations show.
Know when to talk and be quiet to give your partner time to concentrate and focus on the next point and to give him/her personal thinking time.
Good teams communicate brilliantly during points. If a lob passes over your partner, you need to communicate to tell him/her where to position herself for the next shot.
Know your partner. Find out what are the words your partner reacts positively to and how best to motivate your partner. Learn their body language signals to be able to spot signals showing nervousness, loss of concentration, frustration or anger. Try and use the same words and the same body gestures to develop rapport and empathy between the pair.
Remember it is vital that you act as a team throughout the match, so always be positive and work with your partner. Good luck and above all enjoy your tennis during 2004.
Secretary’s Report 2004 by John Voisey
Shortly after the last AGM and in the aftermath of the Shire Horse Centre negotiations a Move Committee was established to look at prospective sites that may become available. To date one site west of the Shire Horse Centre was considered but it was apparent that planning permission would be highly unlikely and it was decided not to take any further action. However the Committee continues to operate so that we can give a speedy initial response to prospects that may arise.
Last winter the condition of courts 1-3 gave rise to concern especially when damp. Following negotiations with Duracourt the courts were repainted during the year and it is anticipated that last year’s problems will not be repeated. We are also reviewing the condition of courts 7-9 with Duracourt and the technical specialist from the LTA. We will keep members posted of developments. As regards the Kid’s Zone there are some outstanding planning requirements that are being addressed and where we are hopeful of a satisfactory resolution in early course.
Once again a very enjoyable Dinner Dance was held in May. The 125th Anniversary was marked by a highly successful open day in September during which the Mayor of the Royal Borough paid a visit to the Club. We are indebted to those who masterminded both events.
As many of you will know Orapin Dawson took over as Chair of the Playing Committee and Julie New as Match Secretary during the year. We are grateful to Paul Serjeant for his work as the Chair since the establishment of the Playing Committee and to Richard Suiters for his as Match Secretary.
On a personal note I have just completed a 3 year period on the Berkshire LTA Club Vision Committee. This has been very interesting and has given me a useful insight into the funding of tennis at county level.
I would like to thank all members of the Committee for their time and effort during the year. Keith Ashby continues to give us wonderful support as does Di in the bar and Nigel and his coaching team. All these factors combine to give us a highly successful and unique tennis club that is the envy of many.
November 2004
|
|