BLACKWOOD TENNIS CLUB Inc

CLUB CAPTAIN’S REPORT – 2003/04 SEASON

This report is on the conduct of the operation of the Senior side of the Blackwood Tennis Club.

This year the number of teams entered into Southern Districts Tennis Association Saturday afternoon competition rose by 33% from 6 teams to 8. As a result of the additional courts that are available by using the netball club courts, all teams played home matches at Blackwood. We had the following teams; Division 2 Men only, Division 3, Division 4, Division 6, Division 6 Men only and two Division 2 Doubles teams, playing each Saturday.

Like the Junior section of the Club, the nominations for Senior teams are based on the number of people saying they want to play tennis at the start of the season. This is strategy is fine, until we strike a year when 4 ladies withdraw after the first match of the season. I would like to thank Sharon Stephens, who started playing for the club after the first three weeks. A special thanks also to our “regular” fill ins Emily Brandon (she found work after Christmas), Sigrid Lundborg, Sarah Cavaiuolo from the Blackwood Juniors and Elyse Hearne from Mercedes Juniors (Elyse played for Blackwood Juniors last year). Also to the many Junior girls who have filled in on occasions when some of the “regular” players were unavailable, a special thank you from me. Our problems were not limited to the ladies, as we also had two men leave since the start of the season. Fortunately we had reserves in their teams and it has not created such a problem.

Enough of the problems caused by a lack of commitment, let’s look at the positives. As I said earlier, we had an increase in the number of Senior teams. Two teams of those teams consisted primarily of Junior players playing Senior tennis as well as Juniors. This has been great for the club and hopefully they have enjoyed their first season of Senior tennis. Results for the year have been mixed with two teams (Div 6 men only and Div 2 Green Doubles) in the finals and another, Div 2 men only, a chance of making the finals. Most teams have been competitive most matches, so I hope that they have enjoyed the season. The last minor round match is this weekend, with finals starting the following weekend. Please come out and support these teams, even if it is just for an hour on Saturday.

Another positive is the Senior tournament that is currently in progress. It is the first time since 1990 that there has been enough interest from players to at least hold a Men’s Championship event, Men’s Plate, Men’s Doubles and Mixed Doubles matches. The finals for both the Men’s Championship and the Plate are being held this coming Sunday at 1.00 p.m. Doubles matches will be held in the afternoon. Please come along and cheer on the players.

Last year the Club held a very successful Break up dinner at the Duck Inn, Coromandel Valley. We had approximately 70 players and partners attend. This year we are having a Banquet at the House of Zen in Belair. The cost is $22.50 and the first 70 people to register will be the lucky ones. We already have 36 people expressing interest and this is after one week. So if you want to come and have a good time, please put your name on the list in the club house on Saturday.

Apart from the weekly hassles of fielding complete teams, the rest of the year has been good. Players have generally behaved themselves on and off the court and there has no problems with team sheet errors and the Southern Districts Permit Committee. We do need to have a few more people involved in the organisation of Senior tennis at Blackwood. The Management Committee would like to see at least two additional people putting their hand up to assist in team selections each week. In addition, there is the monthly Association meeting that I have attended most months for the past 8 years. If anyone is interested in sharing the meetings, currently the second Wednesday every month, please see me.

I would like to thank the Management Committee for their support. Whilst the Committee originally consisted of Junior parents, myself included, it has expanded over the year’s as some of the parents have also become Senior players. I personally would like to see more involvement from the younger senior players. The future of the club does rest with you. Thanks must be also extended to Ruth Baldwin for operating the canteen during the year and to the players from both Doubles teams and the Division 3 ladies, who have managed the canteen each Saturday afternoon, when they have played home. I am sure that all the players, Blackwood and opposition, have appreciated the drinks, pies and pasties and sweets that have been sold by these volunteers.

In closing, I would like to thank Sue, my wife, and my daughters, Fleur and Breanna, for putting up with my absences when I attend meetings and for taking numerous messages each week. Thanks for your support.

Thank you everyone

Garry Dolman

Senior Coordinator