Sunday, October 24, 2004

LTA may put lawn out to grass

It was reported by Mark Hodgkinson, in the Saturday Sport of the Daily Telegraph dated October 16th, that the Lawn Tennis Association was discussing the dropping of ‘lawn’ from their name. Last year the Association modernised its branding to ‘LTA Tennis Nation’, however we are still largely known as the LTA.
John Crowther, the Chief Executive of the LTA, has strongly denied that there is no work, or intention to start work on re-branding the LTA yet again. In the future the LTA management might want to consider possible changes, but for the time being it is not on the agenda.
Over the 116 years that the Association has been in existence there have been many changes. Earlier this year a major review of the organisation and running of the Association was undertaken. Considerable discussion within the LTA and with both LTA Councillors and County Associations took place before the recommendations were presented at an LTA Council Meeting. At this meeting it was agreed that the implementation of the recommendations should take place after this year’s AGM in Decmber.
As far as GLTA and other County Associations are concerned the recommendations will come into force as from January 1st 2005. However the restructuring of GLTA has already begun. On September 1st this year GLTA appointed Barry Tugwell as our Tennis Manager to oversee the aims and objectives agreed between ourselves and the LTA. Barry will also be acting as the Tennis Manager for Avon performing similar duties. As an Association we have been able keep Chris as our CDO, Simon as our Coach, Martin as our CTC and Hilary as our Administrator.

D E Rockett
Honorary County Secretary
LTA Councillor

Posted at 11:56 AM [link]

Sunday, October 10, 2004

Congratulations to Victoria

Victoria Rees won the U16 Ariel Indoor Event at Cardiff recently. This was a great effort and Victoria is the only other person other than Richard to have achieved this feat in the last couple of years. Well done.

Posted at 1:20 PM [link]

Gloucestershire British Tennis Coaches Association and GLTA team plus event

TEAMPLUS - a new event for the GLTA Tennis Calendar.

The best 14U players in Gloucestershire came together in a new team competition to find a winning 14U team on Sunday 26th September at Oxstalls Indoor Tennis centre. The event was a joint initiative organised by BTCA Gloucestershire (British Tennis Coaches Association) and Gloucestershire LTA.
Teams were made up of 2 boys and 1 girl. Eight teams came together from Painswick and East Glos Club and from the 6 other tennis districts, the Cotswolds, Forest, Gloucester, Stroud, Cheltenham & Tewkesbury. Players were encouraged to represent their local area and competition was fierce. All teams contested 3 rubbers involving singles and doubles matches before a final.
The added dimension was a coach-captain who accompanied each team, Davis Cup Style, and sat alongside supporting and advising the players during the matches.

Here’s the report from the day...

When Tim Henman & Greg Rusedski were battling for their lives on damp clay courts in the Davis Cup Tie versus Austria, eight 14U teams representing every district of Gloucestershire were playing a similar format on the indoor courts at Oxstalls Tennis Centre Gloucester.
The event was supported by the local Gloucestershire British Tennis Coaches Association and Gloucestershire LTA. Teams of boys and girls competed in singles and doubles format and referee Graeme Adams made many of the Davis Cup conditions apply. Teams had to be nominated for each rubber and each team member had to play in one single and one doubles match by the end of the day. Captains were allowed to advise and support from the court side and the rest of the team became very willing supporters. Teams who won moved forward to contest a final and 3rd and 4th place while other teams played off for 5th and 6th and 7th and 8th place accordingly.
The winners were the South Cotswold district team who beat East Glos Club in an exciting final. Other teams who took part were North Cotswold district, Gloucester District, Stroud District, Painswick Tennis Club, Tewkesbury District and the Forest District.
Trophies and medals were presented by Felicity Thomas, Chairperson of the Gloucestershire Tennis  Coaches association.

Posted at 1:07 PM [link]

Saturday, October 09, 2004

Gloucestershire Junior Challenge

Junior Challenge Events have been held at 6 clubs all over the county during the summer season. Sunday 12th September saw the finals of the event being contested by all the local event winners and runners up.
Congratulations to all the players who took part in an excellent day’s tennis.

10U Girls:
Winner Laura Eales
Runner-up Joely Bennett (Both Cirencester )

10U Boys:
Winner Matthew Morrow (Beckford)
Runner-up Mikey Puttick (Marlborough)

12U Boys:
Winner Edward Williams (Fairford)
Chris Jockelson (East Glos Club)

Posted at 1:32 PM [link]