Greetings!
What a great summer we're having! As we wind down, let's reflect a bit on some of the highlights. We had one of the largest turnouts ever for a "Futures" tournament in the state with 238 juniors playing. Our adult leagues continue to grow with players competing at various levels. We had 15 teams represent Raleigh in Pinehurst at the USTA League Adult State Championships with two teams becoming State Champions. Congratulations to the Men's 4.5 team, captained by Jeffrey Romeo and the Women's 5.0 team, captained by Cathy Lovett. Cathy Lovett's team went on to sectionals in Mobile, AL and was also crowned the Southern Section Champions.
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 Michelle Matoke and Robert Wright, our NJTL Essay Contest Winners as they pack their bags for NY and the US Open.
Have a great fall!
David Baird
President
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Meet Michelle Matoke and Robert Wright
NJTL Essay/Drawing Contest Winners
Michelle and Robert have been selected from Raleigh to represent North Carolina and the Southern Section in New York this year. Both participated in the National Junior Tennis League (NJTL) Arthur Ashe Essay Contest where their essays/drawings stood out in from our section. Their trip includes attendance at Arthur Ashe Kids' Day presented by Hess, a professional sporting event and a Broadway show. They will also receive an award at a luncheon in their honor. Arthur Ashe Kids' Day is a day-long festival of kids' tennis activities that includes interactive games, musical entertainment and free clinics.
Congratulations to Michelle and Robert from their teams, coaches, 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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2008 USTA League Tennis Southern Sectional Champions
Women's 5.0 Division
Raleigh has a first place winner after play concluded at the USTA League Southern Section Championships, held in Mobile, Ala. The team, captained by Cathy Lovett, will advance to the national championship round September 26-28 in Indian Wells, CA.
Congratulations and Good Luck in California!
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Junior Team Tennis (JTT)
End-of-Season Tournament Winners
Bronze Division Winner - City Bronze II (Coach: Amelia Blankenship)
Silver Division Winner - Prestonwood (Coach: Julie Corcoran)
Gold Division Winner - Springdale (Coach: Michael Oladele)
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 26th at 6:00pm at Millbrook Exchange Tennis Center. Play begins September 15th.
Click here for more information.
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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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Upcoming Tennis Events
Important Dates
August 14th: Singles League Captains Meeting 12:30pm(morning league) and 7pm(evening league) at METC
August 19th: Foam Ball League Coaches Meeting 6:00pm METC
August 22nd-24th: WTT National Qualifier METC
August 26th: JTT Coaches Meeting 6pm METC
August 26th: RATL Captains Meeting 6:45pm METC
August 25th: Ladder Begins
September 3rd: Ladies Quads Begin
September 22nd-25th: State Senior Games METC
October 4th-6th: Bullfrog Junior Tournament at METC
October 17th-19th: Crape Myrtle Tournament METC October 24th-25th: 4A High School Tournament
*METC-Millbrook Exchange Tennis Center |
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World Team Tennis (WTT) National Qualifier
Raleigh is hosting the WTT National Qualifier August 22nd-24th 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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| Junior Foam Ball Tennis League
The Raleigh Parks and Recreation Department is offering Foam Ball Team Tennis this fall for juniors who are ages 6-10. 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.
If you need a team to join, come to the Orientation Day, Saturday, September 6th 9am-10am at Sanderson High School tennis courts.
There will be a Coaches meeting 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.
Cost: Free
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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? This situation happened at the N.C. State Closed Junior Tournament during one of my son's doubles matches. I am interested in knowing your (official or "unofficial") opinion as to the ethics or sportsmanship of the following situation. When a team is receiving serve, the rules state that both players can position themselves anywhere on or off the court. Is it considered bad sportsmanship or a hindrance for the non-receiving player (B) to position himself at the (T) and bounce his head/body into the receiving players (A) service box? "What's the Call?"
Ruling: It is considered bad sportsmanship and a hindrance. "The server's partner and receiver's partner may take any positions on their own side of of the net, inside or outside the court. However, if a player is creating a hindrance to the opponent(s), the hindrance rule should be used.
Click here to read Katrina's Bio and send her your questions!
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| 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 11th on TennisLink. The Fall season may begin as early as August 25th. A captains meeting is scheduled for 12:30pm (Morning League) and 7pm (Evening League) on August 14th 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 26th at 6:45pm. Team rosters and fees are also due August 26th. Play begins September 2nd.
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 Brenda Coules )
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 contact Brenda by email bcoules@nc.rr.com. 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 25th at 11am. Rosters and team fees are due at the meeting.
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