| Raleigh Tennis Association Newsletter |
E-Newsletter
Summer 2008 |
|
Greetings!
Tennis in Raleigh is heating up! The Block Party this Saturday, May 3rd at Millbrook Exchange Park will kick-off the summer with fun activities, refreshments, and local tennis information. This is one party you don't want to miss!
Also, North Hills Club is hosting the RBC Bank Women's Challenger, the only professional women's tennis tournament in North Carolina. This $25,000 USTA event will begin May 11th with qualifying rounds. All main draw feature matches begin on Wednesday, May 14th with the finals on Sunday, May 18th. This is a great opportunity to see some of the top players in the world up close.
Our USTA Spring Adult league had an increase of 389 players over last year. Thanks to Lynn Goldberg, our Local League Coordinator, for all of her hard work in making this league such a tremendous success! And, thank you to all of the players who participate and support our local USTA League tennis.
Finally, we are in great need of volunteers for the summer activities such as our upcoming Futures tournament. If you've agreed to be a volunteer previously, be on the lookout for a follow-up email requesting your help. If you have not done so but would like get involved, please click on this link below which will take you to the simple form you can fill out. We've added a number of activities, and their success will depend on people like you!
Have a great summer!
David Baird
President - RTA
|
|
| Meet Lauren Herring
Participant in RBC Bank Challenger
North Carolina native Lauren Herring will be participating in the Women's Pro Circuit Event at North Hills Club. Lauren has a very impressive tennis resume holding National Junior titles in both singles and doubles. She is an accomplished player and will most likely be the youngest player in this event. She is only 14 years old!
In 2005, Lauren won nearly every major title finishing with 8 gold and 2 silver balls. She ended the year as the No. 1 player in the 12s in singles and doubles. In 2007 she won national titles in the 14s, 16s, and 18s. In the fall of 2007, she would win four national doubles titles and three of them were in the 18s.
Currently, Lauren's National Ranking is No. 6 in the 14s, No. 6 in the 16s, and No. 35 in the 18s.
Lauren graciously agreed to answer some of our questions as she prepares for this tournament.
|
Block Party
Saturday, May 3rd
Hey Raleigh, are you ready to cause a racquet? The biggest tennis party ever is coming to your neighborhood! The Raleigh Block Party will be held on May 3rd at Millbrook Exchange Tennis Center, from 12noon - 3pm and is free to the public.
Try out the health and social benefits of tennis in a fun filled day: instruction, demonstrations, prizes and refreshments. Bring the whole family for a smashing day of free tennis activities!
|
Summer Leagues
Adult
USTA Mixed League (Coordinator Lynn Goldberg)
The USTA League Mixed Doubles is a team competition for Men and Women with NTRP levels of 2.5 to 5.5. Winning local teams advance to the NC State Championship. To form a team, captains should email the information requested by May 5th. The Captain's meeting is May 15th at Millbrook Exchange Tennis Center at 7pm. The season begins June 1st.
WTT - World Team Tennis (Coordinator Susan Stuart)
WTT Recreational Leagues run year-round at public parks, tennis clubs, schools, college campuses, military bases, corporations, camps, residential communities and tennis facilities in more than 1,000 U.S. Cities. The format features co-ed teams competing in six sets - men's and women's doubles, men's and women's singles and mixed doubles. The unique WTT format, which is also played in the Professional League, includes no-ad scoring, substitution and coaching. Captain's meeting will be held on May 20th at Millbrook Exchange Tennis Center at 6:45pm. Season begins June 2nd.
Any player wishing to participate who does not have a team should contact Susan Stuart at 872-4128.
NCTA Singles League (Coordinator Vickie Baird)
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 nine players on a roster. The summer season will begin on June 9th. Registration opens on April 28th on TennisLink. Any player wishing to participate who does not have a team should contact Vickie at vickiebaird@nc.rr.com.
More info...
USTA Tri-Level League (NEW)!(Coordinator Vickie Baird)
The USTA Tri-Level League is competitive, recreational tennis without all the rules! Three levels of players are all on the same team. Same level teams play against one another. Win or Lose - every game counts! A team match consists of three doubles matches played at three different levels.
The RTA will be piloting the Tri-level League this summer for small swim/tennis or neighborhood clubs that have limited courts and not enough players of one NTRP to participate in traditional league formats.
|
|
Raleigh Junior Grand Prix
The Junior Grand Prix is an RTA event designed to promote low cost tennis competition for juniors of all ages and abilities.
This summer event will consist of four tournaments where each player has the opportunity to earn points. The top 8 point earners will be invited to play in the Master Cup Finals.
Schedule of 2008 Touranments
June 14-15
June 28-29
July 12-13
July 26-27
Master Cup Finals
August 2-3
|
Summer Leagues
Juniors
 Foam Ball League (Coordinator Tim Wilkins)
For ages 6-9, juniors will play on a team using a short court and foam balls. Teams will be formed as parents volunteer as coaches. Play begins June 21st.
More info...
 JTT - City League (Coordinator Ken Glanville)
The junior coed league will be open to boys and girls in three divisions. A coaches meeting will be on June 2nd at 6pm at Millbrook Exchange Tennis Center. Club Registration Forms are due at the meeting. Play begins June 16th.
More Info...
NJTL- City League (Coordinator Ken Glanville)
National Junior Tennis League (NJTL) is a low cost, grassroots junior program for beginner and low intermediate players. They will learn strokes, scoring, rules and how to play a match. Park locations throughout Raleigh will participate in this league. Practices are M/W 1:30-3:30pm and matches are T/Th 1:30-3:30pm against the other sites. League begins June 16th.
| |
|
RBC Bank Challenger
USTA Women's Pro Circuit Event
Women's Professional Tennis Tournament to be held at North Hills Club in Raleigh May 11th-18th, 2008
RBC Bank presents the only professional women's tennis tournament in North Carolina. The event will begin May 11th with qualifying rounds. Main draw feature matches begin on Wednesday, May 14th.
Admission is FREE for the qualifying and early round day matches. Tickets to feature matches are $5 per person. Children ages 10 and under are free. Tickets are available by calling the North Hills Pro Shop at (919) 781-0468.
Click Here for Press Release...
|
Upcoming Tennis Events
Important Dates
April 28th:
NCTA Singles League Registration Opens
USTA Block Party (METC)
May 5th:
USTA Mixed League Registration Due
May 5th: All Summer Programs Begin
May 10th: Singles Ladder Tournament (METC)
May 10th: Foam Ball League Tournament (METC)
May 10th: Recreational Coaches Workshop (METC)
May 16th-18th: JTT Tournament
May 20th: WTT Captains Meeting 6:45pm (METC)
May 30th - June 1st: Raleigh Junior Futures Tournament
June 2nd: WTT and Singles Ladder Begin
June 2nd: JTT Coaches Meeting 6pm (METC)
June 16th: Camps, NJTL and JTT Leagues Begin
June 21st: Foam Ball League Begins
For a complete list of events, please check the Calendar of Events at www.raleightennis.com.
*METC-Millbrook Exchange Tennis Center
|
|
Coaches Developmental Workshop
Saturday, May 10th (10:00am - 4:30pm)
Anyone interested in learning the basics of coaching and teaching tennis especially those who plan to coach this summer at area clubs should attend this workshop.
Where: Millbrook Exchange Tennis Center
Cost: $30 payable to RTA (Raleigh Tennis Assoc.)
1905B Spring Forest Rd., Raleigh, NC 27615
RSVP and more information:
Call David at 872-4129
|
USTA Junior Futures Tournament
The Raleigh Tennis Association is sponsoring a USTA Junior Futures Tournament on May 30th - June 1st at Millbrook Exchange Tennis Center. This tournament is open to all aspiring junior players and tournament level players except those with the following state standings:
Boys and Girls 18's - 1-50
Boys and Girls 16's - 1-80
Boys and Girls 14's - 1-80
Boys and Girls 12's - 1-80
Boys and Girls 10's - 1-10
Deadline to enter is May 23, 2008.
*We need t-shirt sponsors for this tournament. If you or your business would like to donate, please contact David Baird.
|
Parks & Recreation
Tennis Facilities
The Raleigh Parks & Recreation maintains 112 tennis courts at 25 locations throughout the city of Raleigh. Lights are available at most locations through 10pm each night. There is no charge for drop in day or evening play.
Court reservations can be made at least 1 week ahead at all locations except Millbrook. Reservations at Millbrook Exchange Tennis Center can be made up to 1 week in advance. Rates for all courts are $3 for 1.5 hours and $1 for each additional 1/2 hour. For reservations, call Millbrook Exchange Tennis Center 872-4129.
Backboards can be found at 18 of the city's 25 tennis court locations: Biltmore, Carolina Pines, Cedar Hills, Chavis, Glen Eden, Green Rd., Kentwood, Lake Lynn, Lions, Method, Millbrook, Optimist, Pullen, Roberts, Sanderford Rd, Spring Forest, Tarboro and Worthdale parks.
|
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 summer. Clinics times are offered throughout the year for your convenience. Take a look at the brochure below for more information.
City of Raleigh Summer Programs |
Adult Tournaments
2008 Raleigh Adult Classic
The Raleigh Racquet Club is hosting their annual Raleigh Adult Classic on May 8th-11th. Entries close on May 2nd! Click here to Register!
Ebony Racqueteers
The Ebony Racquet Club is hosting their annual tennis tournament at the Biltmore Hills Courts on June 6th-8th. Entries open for registration on April 29th. Click here for more information! |
Tennis Help
What's the Call?
Katrina Gildemeister, Certified USPTA P1, USTA Official, USTA Referee
I had an incident come up last week when I was playing a doubles match. When I was ready to receive serve on the deuce side, my partner was standing on the ad side service line. She was hit by our opponent's serve. Our opponent said that they won the point eventhough my partner was standing outside of the deuce side service box (out of bounds). Were they correct?
What's the Call?
She was correct if the serve hit her out of the air, without a bounce. The serve has to hit the ground first to tell if it was "in" or "out" even if it is obviously going to be out.
Click here to read Katrina's Bio and send her your questions!
| |
