| Raleigh Tennis Association Newsletter |
FALL 2007 |
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Greetings!
What a great summer we're having! As we wind down, let's reflect a bit on some of the highlights. We had two outstanding "Futures" tournaments for our juniors with over 300 kids playing between the RTA and North Hills Club events. Our new singles league drew 61 teams with 384 players competing at various levels. Junior Team Tennis wrapped up their best season ever with 51 teams playing in the bronze, silver and gold levels. The new Raleigh Grand Prix junior tournaments has offered a low-cost alternative for players looking to sharpen their games. Our "Welcome Back to Tennis" party for super seniors was a big hit last week with 26 new players coming out for drills, play and refreshments. And we had over 1,000 people attend our USTA Block Party prior to the Sampras vs. McEnroe match (our largest Block Party to date).
With that, I want to thank all of those people that made these leagues and events so successful. Our goal of "growing and promoting the game of tennis in Raleigh" is being realized in a big way.
Finally, get to know Olivia Maina, our NJTL Essay Contest Winner as she packs her bags for NY and the US Open.
Have a great fall!
David Baird
President
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Meet Olivia Maina
NJTL Essay Contest Winner
Olivia has been selected from Raleigh to represent North Carolina and the Southern Section in New York this year. She participated in the National Junior Tennis League (NJTL) Arthur Ashe Essay Contest where her essay stood out among 128 essays sent in from our section. Her trip will begin on Friday, August 24th - Sunday, August 26th where she will participate in Arthur Ashe Kids Day, tour NYC, and attend opening day of the US Open.
Congratulations to Olivia from her team, the Green Road Gators, and from Raleigh Tennis!
The National Junior Tennis League (NJTL) is a low cost, grassroots junior program for beginner and low intermediate players. They learn strokes, scoring, rules and how to play a match. Park locations throughout Raleigh participate in this league.
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| Junior Foam Ball Tennis League (NEW)
The Raleigh Parks and Recreation Department is offering Foam Ball Team Tennis this fall for juniors who are ages 6-9 on September 22nd, 2007. Teams may be formed at clubs, subdivisions and parks courts. City teams will be coached by volunteer parents at their local park courts. Parents are encouraged to volunteer as coaches. Prior experience not necessary, training will be provided.
The players will use large foam balls, junior tennis racquets and play half-court singles and/or doubles.
There will be a Coaches meeting and on court training at Millbrook August 21st at 6:30pm. The registration form deadline for coaches is August 21st. Junior players wishing to play on a city team need to register by August 27th.
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Junior Team Tennis (JTT)
End-of-Season Tournament Winners
Bronze Division Winner - City Bronze II (Coach: George Scullen)
Silver Division Winner - Harrington Grove (Coach: Bernie Operario)
Gold Division Winner - Quail Hollow (Coach: Jeff Fadool)
For pictures of all the finalists, click here.
The Raleigh Parks and Recreation Department will offer Junior Tennis this fall. The coed league will be open to boys and girls in three divisions. The Gold Division will be for players who are at the advanced level. The Silver Division will be for players who are at the intermediate level. The Bronze Division will be for players who are at the beginning level. A coaches meeting will be on August 28th at 6:00pm at Millbrook Exchange Tennis Center. Play begins September 15th.
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Upcoming Tennis Events
Important Dates
August 21st: Foam Ball League Coaches Meeting 6:30pm METC
August 23rd: Singles League Captains Meeting 12:30pm(morning league) and 7pm(evening league) at METC August 24th-26th: WTT National Qualifier METC
August 27th: Ladder Begins
August 28th: JTT Coaches Meeting 6:00pm METC
August 28th: RATL Captains Meeting 6:45pm METC
September 5th: Ladies Quads Begin
September 8th-10th: City Adult and Junior Tennis Tournament at METC
September 10th: RATL Begins
September 29th-October. 1st: Bullfrog Junior Tournament at METC
October 26th: 4A High School Tournament
*METC-Millbrook Exchange Tennis Center |
City Tennis Tournament
Singles for Juniors and Adults
September 8-10, 2007
The Raleigh Parks and Recreation will be hosting their annual City Singles Tournament, September 8th-10th at Millbrook Exchange Tennis Center. There will be a consolation for all who lose their first match. Entries and fees must be received by Friday, September 1st.
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World Team Tennis (WTT) National Qualifier
Raleigh is hosting the WTT National Qualifier August 24th-26th at Millbrook Exchange Tennis Center. Winning teams of any official World Team Tennis (WTT) local league division are eligible to attend one National Qualifier within 12 months from the date their local league ends.
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Tennis Programs
Clinics and Organized Play
The City of Raleigh offers tennis programs for Adults and Juniors. Clinics, Tennis Ladders, Cardio Tennis, Ladies Quads, and Free Play for Seniors are just a few of the great tennis activities available this fall. Clinics times are offered throughout the fall for your convenience. Take a look at the brochure below for more information.
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Tennis Help
What's the Call?
Katrina Gildemeister, Certified USPTA P1, USTA Official, USTA Referee
What's the Call? In the middle of a point, I accidentally called a ball "out" that landed on the baseline. I played the ball, and my groundstroke landed "in" on my opponent's side of the court. I made the correction, but my opponent claimed he should have the point because I made a bad call, and I wanted to play a let. Who is correct?
Ruling: In an unofficiated match, if a person's ball lands in after they accidently called the ball out you would play a let. If a person's ball lands out after they accidently called the ball out you would not play a let.
Click here to read Katrina's Bio and send her your questions!
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Offer for High School Tennis Coaches
The RTA will provide an instructor to come to your school and conduct drills and tennis games for your team. Each school is eligible for two 1-hour sessions at no cost.
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Join the USTA and save 30% off of the membership fee. Expires 8/31/07. Offer available to new Adult members only. Click here! | |
| Adult Leagues
The North Carolina Singles League is a team competition for Men or Women with NTRP levels of 2.5 to 5.5. Each match is three singles courts. Teams shall be made up of a minimum of four players. Teams can have no more than seven players on a roster. Team Registration Deadline is August 13th on TennisLink. The Fall season will begin on September 4th. A captains meeting is scheduled for 12:30pm (Morning League) and 7pm (Evening League) on August 23rd at Millbrook Exchange Tennis Center.
More info...
COMBO DOUBLES is a league consisting of teams of men or women with combined ratings. A 7.5 team could have a 3.5 and 4.0 player together as a doubles team or two 3.5 players. Each match is three doubles courts. The winning team on each level will advance to the state championships. The season begins as early as August 12th.
More info...
The Raleigh Area Tennis League is a weekday evening mixed doubles league for men and women. The competition will be divided into various league levels with players using the National Rating Program as a way to determine which league to participate in. There will be teams from city parks as well as clubs and subdivisions. To participate in the league, team captains must commit to play by the captains meeting Tuesday, August 28th at 6:45pm. Team rosters and fees are also due August 28th. Play begins September 10th.
This is a league that has been developed to offer competitive play for all players 60 and older. The league is made up of two sub-leagues: Super Senior 60's and Super Senior 70's. Each league offers doubles play for both men and women. Local winners get the opportunity to compete at the state level and the winners at the state advance on to the sectional championship. Play begins late August.
Capital League Tennis (Coordinator Isabelle Homes)
The Capital City League has been around for over 25 years. It is a fun league which consists of the hosting team supplying food (sandwiches, drinks, deserts, etc.) and runs in the Fall and Spring. This fall league registration deadline is August 22nd. If you are interested in fielding a team, please go to the website below or contact Isabelle by email or call her at 614-0113. Play begins the week after Labor Day.
Women's Doubles League (Coordinator David Bell)
The Fall Women's Doubles League will consist of city, club and subdivision teams who can guarantee the use of 4 tennis courts (3 for seniors). Matches begin the week of September 10th and will run for a minimum of 8 weeks. Matches will be held on the following days: Women's 3.0-Mon 9:30am, Women's 3.5-Tue 9:30am, Senior 3.5-Mon 9:30am, Women's 4.0-Thur 9:30am, Senior 4.0-Fri 9:30am. Other levels and days will be added if needed. Captain's Meeting at Millbrook Exchange Tennis Center August 27th at 11am. Rosters and team fees are due at the meeting.
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