20 July 2011 | Tennis Queensland
Half of the year has passed by quicker than ever, and we have seen a number of great stories result on the Gold Coast.
The Totally Teeth JDS has seen many new players entering the tournaments pathway and a few ‘older dogs’ (17/U) still enjoying the regional competition. I have been privileged to be a part of all events and must thank Totally Teeth and the host clubs and academies for putting on a great show. Many players are now looking ahead to the end of year finals (to be held in Rockhampton) and the Queensland Junior Teams Carnival in Brisbane. Players please do not forget you must nominate to make the QJTC Gold Coast Team. Go to www.tennis.com.au/goldcoast for a nomination form.
Please do not forget that our state series sponsor (Bendigo Bank) is offering you the chance to win one of eight $500 bank accounts for players who participate in a minimum 4 events. You can collect a Bendigo Bank JDS Passport at the next event and have it signed/stamped by the Tournament Director. You have to be in it to win it!!
Also, you only have one more month to nominate your favourite shot of the century to win a FAMILY PASS to the Brisbane International 2012 Mens’ Final plus an all-access tour of the State Tennis Centre and a hit on Pat Rafter Arena! Entering is as simple as voting for your favourite.
Congratulations to local players Monique Barry, Cyun Sun, Khyel Bentley-Tucker, Jack Surman, Matt Wass and Max Hodgson who nominated to win the Free Term of Coaching courtesy of the Gold Coast Regional Assembly. Your tennis will surely be on the improve being winners of this great prize.
The 9/U Green Ball Challenge (introduced 3 years ago) is producing some excellent beginner players, and a few who would certainly give me a run for my money! We have regular entries from boys into this event, but we definitely need more girls participating. Thank you to the coaches for supporting this event. With the success of 8/U Orange Ball and 10/U Green Ball (now a national requirement for 10/U) at the recent Rod Laver event, I foresee our JDS will look quite different in 2012. You can enter online for the JDS at the website above.
Seniors tennis also has looked quite healthy, with strong participation at local clubs, regional competitions, seniors tournaments and state events. There have also been new opportunities for senior players with free coaching offered at the Gold Coast Seniors Tennis Club thanks to a handy grant acquired earlier in the year! Ladies tennis on the Gold Coast should hopefully be easier to access than ever, with a new ‘Ladies’ Tennis on the Gold Coast’ website launched. In the end, all ladies’ competitions and information will be available at www.tennis.com.au/gcladiestennis.
2011 seems to be the year of new programs for tennis, with Tournaments Planner, Competitions Planner and My Tennis Membership all in action. Tennis Australia Competitions Coordinators recently visited the GC, presenting ‘Comps Planner’ to coaches and the Gold Coast Regional Assembly. Tennis Gold Coast has also expressed interest in this new system, which allows players to enter their own scores online, provides a ream of new player statistics and (in the end) be linked to a national player rating.
Tennis Australia Coach members were recently invited to the State Tennis Centre for a presentation on a new program being launched by Tennis Australia. Over 70 coaches participated in the presentation of ‘Cardio Tennis’ which looks like being a great initiative that explores a completely new tennis market. I have always said a sport is not a sport if you do not get your heart rate over 100, and Cardio Tennis certainly gets your heart pumping. I lost 1 kg from one session!! Stay tuned on this one!!
MLC Tennis Hot Shots received some excellent advertising during Wimbledon, with many parents contacting me for venues that deliver this program. This program is also linked to the Tennis Queensland Tennis in Schools Program which had seen well over 4000 students on the GC picking up a racquet last financial year (many for the first time). Nationally, MLC Tennis Hot Shots has seen 248,013 players participate in all forms of the program.
The Sport and Recreation Queensland minor (up to $400,000 project) and medium (up to $1.25 million project) grants are clsoing soon with many clubs vying for funds for new projects from court upgrades to the construction of new courts, new clubhouses, hitting walls and more. There are many different grant opportunities available but you have to be in it to win it! Please go to the Gold Coast regional website (as above) to find out more.
Hope to see you on court. Happy Hitting.
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