Tennis Seniors New South Wales P.O. Box 4803, North Rocks, NSW, 2151

Phone: 61 2 9624 7075 Website: www.tennisseniors.org.au/nsw

Email: tennisseniorsnsw@bigpond.com Print Post Approved PP229550 / 00003

President: Mick Bruton Secretary: Robyn Castle Treasurer: Arthur Olsen

ABN 50 206 056 964

Editor: Robyn Castle - Email: tennisseniorsnsw@bigpond.com Deadline for next Vetscore - August 11th, 2014

Newsletter of Tennis Seniors New South Wales. May 2014

D ear Members,

Congratulations to all

our members who

represented Tennis

Seniors Australia at the World

Teams and Individual

Championships in Florida. Results

are shown elsewhere in

“Vetscore”.

Due to our membership drive we

have increased our numbers to over

1300 which is very satisfying. Our

aim now is to encourage these new

members to participate in some of

our many tournaments and other

events that are available to them.

We are continuing with our free

membership for the first year for

any players who have not been

members before. So, for any new

members you sign up, your name

will go into a draw for a new

racquet and bag which will be

drawn at our Annual Meeting on

November 9. We have made it

earlier this year so that it is not so

close to Christmas in the hope that

more members will attend. It will

be a fun day of social tennis (with a

special format) from 11am after the

meeting, so we look forward to a

good “roll up”.

Please support our Country

tournaments as good

accommodation is available at very

affordable rates in all country

towns and travelling costs can be

reduced by car sharing.

The Mixed Teams in Newcastle is another popular event coming up! Enter

your team by May 26th, Entry Form available on our website.

Don't forget to form your team for Canberra next January and maybe you

could encourage one or two of our new members to participate. I attended

the Gloucester tournament recently and as always it was a great event.

Should any members have any suggestions on encouraging new

memberships or any improvements that can be made, please forward them

to us.

MICK BRUTON

PRESIDENT

Programme of Events - 2014 Dates R/R or Tournament Contact Phone

May 2-4 Inverell Seniors R/Robin John Williams 0422 705 806 May 3-4 Jim Elphick TC, Wagga Wagga Nathan McNeill 0438 599 835 May 16-18 Picton Seniors R/Robin Nat 7 Alison Radford 4677 2072 May 16-18 T’s Resort Port Macquarie Nat 7 Te Truong 6584 0144 May 24-25 West Tamworth Seniors Bruce Murden 6765 5575 June 7-9 Newcastle Mixed Teams Robyn Castle 9624 7075 June 21-22 Lake Macquarie Seniors Nat 7 Keith Williams 0412 157 757 **June 29 Metro Social Day at CTC, Castle Hill Neil Smith 0415 445 035 July 4-6 Cessnock Seniors Nat 7 Irene Crowley 4938 3190 July 12-13 Manning River, Taree Chris Johnson 0432 788 901 July 26-27 Werris Creek Seniors R/Robin Nat 7 Gary Cohen 0427 177 025 Aug 1-4 Forster Seniors R/R Nat 6 Judy Halpin 0418 603 109 Aug 15-17 Muswellbrook Park Seniors Val Angel 0408 436 443 Aug 22-24 Eurobodalla, Moruya R/R Scott Colbourne 4473 6180 Sep 12-14 West Port Macquarie Nat 7 Carol Daniel 6584 9096 Sep 20-21 Gunnedah Seniors Laurie Boag 0407 899 536 Oct 3-6 State Championships ITF Cat 2 Robyn Castle 9624 7075 Eastwood Thornleigh District Courts, Pennant Hills Oct 13 -16 Merimbula Annual Seniors Nat 6 John Rheinberger 0438 928 516 Oct 18-19 Dubbo Paramount Seniors Glenn Armstrong 0428 536 336 Nov 1-2 Raworth, Hunter Tennis Resort Linda Bullent 0447 800 206 Nov 15-16 Bathurst Carillon City TEAMS Andrew Mitton 0419 499 467 Dec 5-7 Nelson Bay Seniors Steve Taylor 0466 154 580

NOTE: The tournament originally scheduled for Oct 11/12 at Kiama has regrettably been cancelled for 2014 due to unforeseen circumstances.

Tournaments in BOLD are for AUSTRALIAN RANKING points - NRT **Social Days and Sydney Metro days will be added to this calendar as they are confirmed. Note: there will be one of these days at Caterson Tennis Centre, Cnr Gilbert & Showground Roads, Castle Hill on Sunday June 29. Singles 8am, and American Doubles or bring a picnic lunch and enjoy an afternoon of fun tennis! Neil Smith 0415 445 035.

P alm Springs, Florida was the host venue for the Seniors (35-55s) ITF World Championships in April and May. There were teams from Australia in all but the 40Women’s, with the guys in the 55s, the Austria Cup, bringing home the GOLD medal - our 9th success in ten years in this event. All of our players were fighting hard all week, but were nudged out, to be relegated to minor positions. Just one loss in the

initial Round Robin takes the team out of contention for the “top eight”. It hardly seems fair, but then, that’s the way it is! Suffice to say that they all gave 110% and were proud Australian ambassadors. In seven of the nine Cups competed for, the Aussies were placed in the top ten – a creditable performance, with one GOLD, of course. The second week saw many Aussies featuring in semis and finals, with Gold going to Glenn Busby (VIC), Ros Balodis (ACT) and Leanne Swaysland (NSW). It was very gratifying to see so many Aussies at the “pointy end” of the tournament , and there were several winners of Silver medals. These were Ros Balodis and Col Holgate (ACT), in the 55 Mixed and Brenda Foster in the 50 Mixed. There were six Bronze medallists, including our Helen Shea and Sara Goddard. Congratulations to all, we are proud of you! For a full report on these results, go to the TSA website, courtesy of Tom Hancy. Club Ali Bey, Antalya Turkey will once again host the Super Seniors in October. NSW has several reps in these Cups. Eight women and four men will help contest the ten cups on offer at this sensational venue which can stage the entire tournament in one place. These are: Adrienne Avis, Helen Worland (60s), Kerry Ballard, Carol Campling (65s), Kim Blackburne, Bev Eddington (70s), Margaret Fisher, Marj Niccol (80s), and the following men: John Rheinberger (60s), Don Biddle (75s), John O’Brien and Bert Barwick

(80s). Congratulations to these players, we wish you well! After many posts on Facebook, Matt Olsen (NSW), playing with Rhys McDougall (QLD) bowed out in the Quarter Finals, but had many highlights along the way. Matt was extremely impressed by Rhys’s athletic ability to spring into the air when serving or smashing down a “boomer”! Two Accidental World Championship Bronze Medallists Helen Shea who recently moved from Wagga to Wollongong was selected to represent Australia in the Connolly Cup (55+) at the recent World Seniors Championships in Florida. She was on the lookout for a partner for the Women’s 55+ Doubles in the Individual Championships just before entries closed in March. At about the same time Royal Sydney’s Sara Goddard had accepted an offer to be a late replacement for the Australian team playing the Bueno Cup (50+). They decided to team up even though it was a bit of a scratch pairing as

they had never played either with or against each other on the doubles court. Both managed a first round singles win but were knocked out in Round 2 the day before the doubles commenced. After a first round bye their first doubles match was in the round of 16 against Lumia and Savitt (USA) and they were greeted with very windy conditions and the glare of a badly positioned sun but ground out a 6-4 6-3 win. As is often the case in your first match together, it wasn’t pretty. In the quarter finals our girls really fired winning 6-0 6-3

over Berube & Karis of Canada. In the semi finals they

2014 ITF World Championships,

Florida - April

May 2014 2

Happy girls, Leanne and Ros with GOLD medals

Matt relaxes in the locker room.

Tina Karwasky, Mary Ginnard, Sara Goddard and Helen Shea

C ome to Canberra and experience the great

outdoors! When you are not playing tennis, there

are extensive cycle paths, world-class mountain

biking, and city walking trails. Discover

Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve, or learn about native flora at the

Botanic gardens. Don’t forget the Art Gallery, the War

Memorial and Questacon!

Enjoy an array of stylish restaurants, bars and shops

brimming with local produce and wine – chat to local

winemakers at their cellar door. At night, experience a city

with a vibrant entertainment scene for all tastes.

Play will be conducted on several venues around Canberra,

including the National Sports Club at Lyneham, due for

completion towards the end of 2014.

We would love as many new members as possible to

organise a team! There are four players needed per match in

Men’s and Women’s Doubles, but it’s best to have a couple

of extras. Two courts are used at once, then after two sets,

the players change partners. Play is scheduled from 8am, in

four sessions each of two and a half hours. The team plays

either sessions one and three or two and four, allowing time

in between to enjoy free time, looking around etc. (Do a bike ride, go shopping, sit around and tell jokes.... whatever!)

Read the report on Hobart Teams’ week in the February issue for a first-hand description of a good time!

Teams are being arranged in 5-year age brackets, so your team will be grouped with teams the same age as your youngest

team member. Nominate alone of you don’t have a team, and we’ll find a spot for you!

We have a Team Shirt which must be ordered from the Secretary, and you will need a navy skirt or shorts. Nomination forms

will be sent out in August, so there is plenty of time to get organised. Accommodation is booking out fast though. Try

www.visitcanberra.com.au I found some reasonably priced rooms there! Otherwise, see the list on the TSA website or go

straight to the ACT www.tennisseniors.org.au/act

Cheers, hope to hear from you soon, RC

Australian National Teams’

Carnival - Canberra 2015

3

played the no.2 seeded Americans Ginnard & Karwasky . After a brilliant start, our girls took the first set 6-1 but their highly ranked opponents fought back to win a long second set where almost all games when to deuce, 6-3. The third set was a “Match Tie Break” – first to ten points, and the Americans prevailed 10-7. The Americans went on to lose the final by exactly the same score 10-7 in the match tie break. So our scratch pair while initially disappointed by their close semi final loss, were very pleased to take home a Bronze medal and were in fact not far off Gold. Thanks to Graeme Sticka for this excerpt….

(Continued from page 2)

Metro Tennis Days are on again!

The next one will be held on June

29, at Caterson Tennis Centre,

Castle Hill.

It has been suggested that we hold

them every two months, with

Social Tennis Days in between...

What are YOU doing on July 20?

W e send our thoughts and prayers to all our members who are not

enjoying good health at present.

Adrian Selwyn is still struggling with cancer, and is not having much

success with treatment, so he appreciates our prayers.

There are a few niggling injuries out there, plus some medical issues, so we wish our

members all the best with recovery. Both Ian Fisher and Garry Potter are having part

of their heads cut off! Tell the surgeon to stop before he gets past the neck, fellas!

Mike Hook is luckily running around the court again, after complications with ankle

surgery, with his friend Geoff Banner - who is also battling medical problems. Stay

positive guys, and you’ll be right!

A special mention to all those players achieving “three score years and ten” this

year! Congratulations, it is good to see you all on court, especially those who have

had surgery on knees, shoulders etc in the recent past. Look who’s pictured below!?

Robyn’s Moat Mike Pyne thought all his Xmases had

come at once on finding a gold handbag

on the court in Kooyong in March! It

was happily claimed by QLD’s Norma

McGhie.

May 2014

Welcome,to all these New Members!

Cheerio Corner

New Grandparents’ Honour Roll

“Cloud Nine” again for Maureen

Bartels with the arrival of Aurelio, a bonny, bouncing

grandson on March 4. He is a little brother to Milena, and son of Kendal and Nick . A pigeon

pair for Nanna to spoil!

Damian Hartigan

Suzanne de Witts

Rick Kain

Gerard Baker

Darrell Johns

Tim McDonald

Martine Shaw

Sandra Cooper

Steven Cashman

Warren George

Arthur Burling

Andy Phelan

Scott Churchin

Carolyn Wills

Lorraine Stevenson

Mark Ternes

Madeleine Lerch

Greg Russell

Lyn Blake

Christine Johnson (Charlestown)

Christine Lane

Bruce Martin

Victor Kysilo

Dianne Davenport

Candice Davenport

Geoff Lashford

John Lynch

Laurie Holmes

Simon McGettigan

Keith Williams

Robert Littlefield

Trish Bootland

Dennis Bootland

Brett Durrance

Raelene Rudd

Robert Eldridge

Brian Kauter

Jenny Vodicka

Helen Couper

John Harradine

Salvador Sanchez

Richard Baranski

Cecil Charlton

Fabrizio Perilli

Sam Melita

Tony Haworth

William Suganda

Derek Hamlin

Jodi Muldoon

Lisa Handley

Robyn Thompson

Alan Beesley

Raymond Gough

Cathy Strachan

Andrew Strachan

John Robertson

David Lyons

Carmel Hill

Martin Hole

Warren Marsden

Mark Tucker

Geoff Quinn

Ken Taylor is very ill but he is still hanging in at present. The cancer is very aggressive and has spread to his brain, although it does not appear that his memory is affected. He is so frustrated with not being able to hear, see, and talk too well and not able to play tennis. However, when he has the energy he does enjoy a chitchat with his Tuesday and Thursday tennis groupies.

Another member who is struggling to keep on top of everything is Bruce Burns. He attended the Australian Tennis Museum luncheon, and is under the watchful eye of his daughter at Quakers Hill. He is no longer on Chemotherapy, and is keeping a positive outlook on his treatment.

4

Old tennis players never die - they

just become commentators

124 players were in town to contest the annual ANZAC weekend tournament, with rain

clouds threatening on the Friday. Play went ahead on synthetic grass, but the loam ones

were out until Sunday. All events were completed, and players were happy.

Ruth Johnson and her team were most impressed by all the happy faces at the window

over the entire weekend.

SINGLES

70-75MS George Gelagin Frank McDonald

60MS(1) Mike Phillips Andrew Corbett

60MS(2) Valeriy Rensevich Ian Westmoreland

35-55MS(1) Mike Etherington Steve Hourn

35-55MS(2) Noa Ngauora Mark Feyer

MEN’S Doubles

35-40MD David Rae Glen Woodward Ian Brown Mike Phillips

75-80CMD Steve Taylor Mark Thornber Scott Homsey Antony Hook

100CMD Steve Harris Ray Morrant Kerry Mulley Joseph Panetta

130-140CMD Geoff Beard Peter Emmerson Frank McDonald John Williams

135CMD(1) Geoff Beard Peter Emmerson Mick Bruton John Williams

135CMD(2) Bruce Cashman John Rudd Bernie Breithaupt Terry Wood

120CMD Neil Birks Michael Dunn Richard Jenkins Fred Walker

110CMD(1) Bill Thomson Paul Westaway Steve Harris Ray Morrant

110CMD(2) Neil Matley Ronald Watts Kerry Mulley Joseph Panetta

WOMEN’S Doubles

35-50WD Carolyn Moore Donna Roddom Karen Hanratty Carolyn Perks

120-130CWD(1) Susan Haines Carol Salisbury Denise Martin Julie Pratt

120-130CWD(2) Judy Halbedl Anne Wallis Wendy Izzard Sue Johnston

125CWD Denise Rowsell Carol Salisbury Sue Johnston Julie Pratt

55/60WD(1) Mary Gordon Margaret Wayte Loretta Funnell Denise Martin

55/60WD(2) Judy Cousins Helen Watmore Mary Baker Judy Halbedl

70-100CWD Carolyn Moore Donna Roddom Margaret Goodrick Sue Thomson

MIXED

35XD(1) Antony Hook Simone Everitt Scott Homsey Kath Willis

35XD(2) Mark Thornber Karen Hanratty Steve Taylor Alison Crowe

35XD(3) Grant Robinson Carolyn Perks Peter McGregor Colleen Allen

C70-135XD(1) Antony Hook Simone Everitt Russell Selem Kath Willis

C70-135XD(2) Ian Westmoreland Julie Dickson Paul Kellehear Wendy Izzard

C120-130XD(1) Richard Jenkins Susan Haines Mick Bruton Margaret Wayte

C120-130(2) Ray Morrant Judy Cousins Neil Birks Virginia Warne

B ert Barwick reports that he

is going back to Austria in

June to play three of the 5

tournaments he won last

year, particularly attempting to

win the prestigious Super Seniors

European Championships for the third

year in a row!

Bert has been troubled with a painful

back injury for the last few years and he

believes that this year will be his last in

representative tennis. He hopes to

complete the year by playing for

Australia for the fourth time in Turkey in

October . He recommends to all super

senior players that they plan to go to the

beautiful Poertschach in Austria and play

in the two Cat1 tournaments held there

in June each year. A very good

Cat2 tournament called the “Alpen-Adria

“ is played nearby at Klagenfurt and

precedes the “European” and “Austrian”

Cat1 Tournaments.”

We wish Bert all the BEST!

Gloucester Report, April 25-26-27

Rest in Peace

John Day’s funeral service was held at

Leppington on Thursday March 27.

Margaret Roach gave a touching eulogy…

Condolences have been sent to John’s wife

“Dutch” and she has expressed her thanks to the many tennis seniors who have been in touch

with her.

5

N orthbridge Tennis Club was well represented in Hobart in January with

12 of their members participating in the Teams’ Carnival. The player of

the week during the Individuals would have to be Justin Wood, who did

his version of the “great race” where on two occasions, he jumped in a

taxi to the airport to fly to Melbourne to watch a night session at the Australian

Open finishing at around midnight. This was followed by a quick sleep in a Mel-

bourne Hotel and a 6am flight back to Hobart for a 9.30am match (which he lost) –

I wonder why?

The Club was hosted by Eglinton (Bathurst) Club in a “friendly” in late February,

when 12 members in 3 teams played 4 sets each. They tried to wangle a win out of

the scores , but they were defeated on Rubbers (2-1), Sets and games. However,

they did have the most “black caps” on the court (4-2). The tennis and the spirit in

which it was played were fantastic – even the chainsaw wood cutting at the Country

Fair next door didn’t dampen the day.

The highlight for the fellas was the magnificent spread that was put out for them at

the 250-acre country homestead of Roger and Margaret on Saturday night. It was

such a beautiful night that they ate outside.....sitting on the verandah with plenty of

red wine and delicious steaks on their plates..ohhh, it doesn’t get much better! Only

6 could rouse early on Sunday for a game of social tennis with 6 Eglinton players,

which was most enjoyable, and then a pleasant drive home through the Blue Moun-

tains capped off a wonderful weekend.

Snippets from a report from Clive Wilkinson. Thanks, Clive!

ITF WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS

6

2014:

· Seniors – Palm Beach Gardens, Florida USA Teams: 21-26 April; Individuals: 27 Apr – 4 May

· Super Seniors – Antalya, Turkey Teams: 13-18 October; Individuals 19-26 October

From 2015: the World Championships will be split into three categories: Young Seniors (35-45) Teams: 16-21 March; Individuals: 22-29 March in Antalya, Turkey. Seniors (50-60) Teams: 8-13 June; Individuals: 14-21 June in La Baule, France Super Seniors (65-85) Teams: 21-26 September; Individuals 27 Sep - 4 Oct in Umag, Croatia

In 2016: Young Seniors (35-45) Teams: 2-7 May; Individuals 8-15 May in Rovinj, Vrsar and Umag. Seniors (50-60) Teams: 20-25 June; Individuals June 26 - July 3, Helsinki, Finland Super Seniors (65-85) Teams: 24-29 Oct; Individuals: 30 Oct - 6 Nov in Antalya, Turkey.

W inners were

everywhere-Aussie,

Aussie, Aussie! Oi, Oi,

Oi! Norfolk had

nothing to contain our enthusiasm for

the “Norfolk Island Veterans’

Games”! Even playing till 11pm did

not dampen our spirits! Julie South

managed a record number of 140

entries, but playing late into the night

was not really what we had envisaged.

The “Progressive Dinner” was

foregone by some, but oh well, “we’ll have to do that next time”! The

Governor’s Lodge catered for the Presentation Dinner on Friday night, and they

provided a wide range of tasty fare. One of the tennis players performed with his

band which provided us with plenty of good musical sound and rhythm for

dancing after dinner.

Australian winners of GOLD medals were: 40WD Sharon Mitchell and Bonny

Allison; 50WD Louisa Mortimer and Carol Drucza; 40MD Craig Edwards and

Hadrian Cullum; 70MD Bob Gorman and Tony Harkin; 40XD Craig Edwards

and Sharon Mitchell; 50XD Ian Delbridge (SA) and Debbie Gough (NSW);

65XD Arthur Olsen and Robyn Castle. To cap it off, the Aussies defeated both

Norfolk Island AND New Zealand by 9 rubbers to 1 in the “Tri-Nation”

challenge on Thursday evening. New Zealand had a stranglehold on the trophy

for 16 years straight! (Even though last year Australia had beaten both NZ and

NI, but the “Julie method” gave the trophy to NZ as they had won more rubbers

overall). This year the other two nations were restricted to 3 sets apiece. Yeay!

Silver medals went to: Florence Searle & Sheila Rattray; Geoff Banner & Mike

Hook; Ron Lewis & Col Elliott; Danny Nobbs (NI) & Carol Drucza;Jan McCoy

& Roger Davey (SA); John & Sheila Rattray.

Bronze: 70WD: Joan Connell & Joan Giumelli (two “new” members who are 78

and 81, playing in the 70s!); Arthur Olsen & Bill White (NZ).

Players from the ACT, Bega, Cessnock, Central Coast, Forster, Glenmore Park,

Sydney, Wollongong and other parts of the country numbered about 60, of the

140 entries. Some keen ones flew over from Perth, Adelaide and parts of

Queensland to enjoy the wonderful Norfolk hospitality and “postcard” views of

the island paradise.

Security is not an issue anywhere on Norfolk, you can leave your car unlocked in

the middle of town, your apartment open and come back to find everything

where you left it. There is no graffiti and basically no crime anywhere – no real

need for the 2 or 3 Police officers they had either – and wait for it, NO

breathalyser! With less than 1,500 residents, and everybody responding to the

“Norfolk wave” as you drive around – it feels as though you know everybody!

What a peaceful place it has become – after a terrible start, twice a penal colony

where everyone was treated abominably. The “third settlement” had 193 Pitcairn

Islanders travel the 3,700 Kms to Norfolk, as Pitcairn was not able to sustain

them any longer. From beginning with basically only 9 families, the place has a

diverse culture, and newcomers (with money) are welcome! Self-funded retirees

are particularly welcome.

Next year will see the

tournament celebrating its

Silver Anniversary,

coinciding with the

Centenary of the ANZAC

tradition in Gallipoli. If

you’ve not been there, it’s

well worth a visit. Next

year’s dates are well away

from Easter, April 20 – 27.

Robyn Castle

Membership

Drive

This has been a real

success story for Tennis

Seniors NSW. We have

been conscientiously

trying to attract new

members since early last

year which has netted

499 new members from

all around the state.

Some of our country

members have taken it

on themselves to sign up

club members, from

Ballina, Kiama,

Newcastle, Port

Macquarie, Ulladulla, as

well as from Eglinton

and Tooraweena out

west. We are

endeavouring to keep up

the good work, with

membership still free

until June 30, 2015. The

“Lucky Draw” for

recruiting new members

- a beautiful Head

racquet and bag has

been won by:

Jo Clarke, West Port

Macquarie.

Congratulations Jo!

There will be another

one this year! So get

signing!

All new members may

have membership free

for their first year.

Norfolk Island - April, 2014

7

Well decked-out in Aussie flags, Hadrian Cullum, Craig Edwards, Sharon Mitchell and

Bonny Allison

Howe Park Tennis Club - April 12, 13

T he committee has been working hard to come up with some strategies to help out our Country tournaments

from the inland areas that have been struggling to keep their numbers. An advertisement was sent to all

those with an email address, seeking interest in becoming involved in running one or more of these

tournaments. A Tournament Director’s position is an unenviable task, and as many of us are advancing in

years, we need some younger ones to take up the role. The country clubs have not yet applied for assistance.

Recently at Gosford a team of 40 to 45 year-olds (with someone a tad over 50, was that Bonny or Craig?) did a fabulous

job of looking after 131 competitors, both on and off the court! Hadrian Cullum, Sharon Mitchell, Bonny Allison, (plus

her Mum!), Craig Edwards and Scott Homsey (Chef) made the weekend a really memorable one for most of us. One or

two players were outclassed in their Singles matches, but generally the groups played close matches and had fun. Some

new members thoroughly enjoyed the experience, saying they will be BACK! “Where’s the next one? Newcastle, oh good

– we’ll go!”

On the Management front – we have increased our membership to over 1300 players which is way better than any other

state, and we are trusting that everyone will renew for just $20, in June. Your renewal forms are with this issue of

“Vetscore”. If there are any changes, please write them on the form and either Fax, Scan and email or Post it back to

us for updating our database.

The very popular Mixed Teams’ tournament will be run at Newcastle in the June long weekend, so get your team

together, under age players will also be welcome! Sons and daughters, cousins, whatever – encourage some new ones to

enter into the 35+ spirit and submit an entry by May 26th . Minimum of 2 ladies and 2 men, but the more the merrier!

Up to eight players are allowed in a team, and there are 5 sessions over the 3 days. We finish by lunch time Monday.

We hope to get 15-18 teams.

Thanks to all those who have given positive feedback on the emails I have been sending out, we aim to keep everyone

informed about our activities. If you come up with any brilliant ideas please let us know!

From the Secretary’s Desk

8

Mark Rix is happy to report that while the grass courts were drying out, play was possible on the synthetic, and the following players collected the winners’ trophies:

Combined 85 Mens Doubles – David Williams and Peter Fletcher

Combined 100 Mens Doubles – Geoff Hayes and Russell Anderson

Combined 85 Ladies Doubles – Jodie Moore and Laurie Anne Boag

35/40 Mens Singles – Brett Stevens

50 Mens Singles – Greg Winston

Combined 115 Mens Doubles – Sam Melita and Greg Winston

Combined 100 Ladies Doubles – Vicki Kuba and Helen Burge

35 Mens Doubles – Troy Hancock and Brett Stevens

50 Mens Doubles – Steve Harris and Jim Coutlis

40 Ladies Doubles - Jodie Moore and Laurie Anne Boag

40 Mixed Doubles – Erin Bierne and Jodie Moore

50 Mixed Doubles – Ray Morrant and Helen Burge

85/100 Mixed Doubles – Geoff Mortimer and Louisa Mortimer

May 2014

9

Report on the Gosford Tournament, March 29/30

A n enthusiastic group of “young seniors” managed to stage their first tournament at Gosford most successfully.

Raining every night, but fine in the morning enabled 131 players to get plenty of time on the courts, at Vaughan

Park on the weekend of March 29-30. A very social gathering on Friday night saw some players attempting to

destroy the premises in Copacabana belonging to Mary and Gerry Baker. See the pic - Warren shares the joke

with Arthur Olsen and Judy Halbedl after they had BOTH taken out the flyscreen

door! (See the pic)

Age groups from 35-70 were catered for in Singles, with the “elder statesman” Mike

Phillips coming out on top in his group on Court 6. Others had good competition in

their respective groups, and there was one group of ladies battling it out on Court 11,

with Lisa Corban who is still making a “come-back” – managing to win all her

matches to claim the winner’s prize. Kath Willis and Anne Rouse were “hot on her

tail” but Anne came in second.

Saturday night saw Scott Homsey (a self-employed chef) busy cooking up delicious

“finger foods” out in the barbecue area, much to everyone’s delighted tastebuds.

Bronnwyne Hawkins sang beautifully to start off the Karaoke, with a mixture of

talent following up!

Sunday had a slightly late start due to water having to be removed off the courts, but

all sessions were completed, including the Mixed after lunch. Winners were happy to

receive prizes on completion, and the weekend can be regarded as a resounding

success! A huge thanks to Hadrian Cullum, Sharon Mitchell, Bonny Allison and

Craig Edwards for a fantastic tournament – especially considering it was their first time! We also acknowledge the valuable

support from Rod Rosenfield and Rob Eldridge at Gosford Tennis Centre as well as the wonderful ladies who helped with the

catering and those who assisted with prizegiving.

Sat AM - Ladies singles - 1st Lisa Corban, 2nd Anne Rouse.

Mens 35 singles - 1st Michael Phillips, 2nd James Longa.

Mens 50 singles - 1st Chris Fortis, 2nd Michael Le Pine.

Mens 50/65 singles - 1st Miroslav Pisa, 2nd John Holt.

Mixed Group 1 - 1st Jo Clarke/Glenn Armstrong, 2nd Julie Girdler/Rob Eldridge.

Group 2 - 1st Clare Wagemans/Keith Olds, 2nd Louisa and Geoff Mortimer.

Group 3 - 1st Judy Halbedl/Warren Hall, 2nd Anne Wallis/Warren George.

Sat PM – Ladies’ doubles

Group 1 - 1st Anne Rouse/Lisa Corban, 2nd Mary Gordon/Steph Bowler.

Group 2 - 1st Bonny Allison/Julie Girdler, 2nd Mary Baker/Fay Yiannakopoulos.

Group 3 - 1st Julie Andrews/Kath Willis, 2nd Monique Spiller/Robyn Castle.

Group 4 - 1st Helen Gordon/Kerrie Bristow, 2nd Judy Halbedl/Kate McDonald.

Men’s doubles

Group 1 - 1st Glenn Armstrong/Wayne Dickinson, 2nd Troy Bailey/Antony Hook.

Group 2 - 1st Stephen Le Roy/Paul Westaway, 2nd Rainer Matas/Micheal Russell.

Group 3 - 1st Geoff Mortimer/Ray Morrant, 2nd Warren Hall/Warren George.

Group 4 - 1st Joe Malmberg/Graham Poulsen, 2nd Sam Melita/Kris Renneberg.

Sun AM – Ladies’ Doubles

Group 1 - 1st Di Cassel/Leanne Swaysland, 2nd Fiona Weinert/Kim Bullock.

Group 2 - 1st Mary Baker/Clare Wagemans, 2nd Bronnwyne Hawkins/Mary Gordon.

Group 3 - 1st Sharon Donaldson/Laurie Holmes, 2nd Pat Hurst/Kath Willis.

Group 4 - 1st Robyn Thompson/Lindy Gerke, 2nd Judy Halbedl/Fay Yiannakopoulos.

Group 5 - 1st Robyn Castle/Denise Martin, 2nd Helen Gordon/Kerrie Bristow.

Men’s Doubles

Group 1 - 1st Brad Middleton/Craig Edwards, 2nd Glenn Armstrong/Wayne Dickinson.

Group 2 - 1st Ron Kohn/Craig Boyce, 2nd Peter Reardon/Allan Thwaite.

Group 3 - 1st Geoff Mortimer/Brett Durrane, 2nd John Robertson/Geoff Banner.

Group 4 - 1st Mick Bruton/John Whittaker, 2nd Warren Hall/Warren George.

Sun PM Mixed

Group 1 - 1st Sharon Mitchell/Craig Edwards, 2nd Fi Weinert/Hadrian Cullum.

Group 2 - 1st Laurie Holmes/Troy Bailey, 2nd Judy Halbedl/Warren Hall.

Group 3 - 1st Mary and Gerry Baker, (See pic), 2nd Pat Hurst/Brett Durrane.

Group 4 - 1st Bev Waugh/Col Armstrong, 2nd Alan Beesley/Fay Yiannakopoulos.

“”Co-destroyers” - Arthur & Judy-

Group 3 Winners - Mary & Gerry Baker

A ‘bit’ of a Tennis/Life Profile!

Dear Robyn,

I must confess to 2 things – no, possibly 3:

1-This all started because I happened to read the eulogy for Allan Kendall and it called to mind that the ‘schoolboy’ he beat

in the NSW Schoolboys’ Final in 1946 was none other than me. We had a fiery 3-set match on centre court at White City. We

played each other many times over the years and I would say that we split about even although it seems in later years the

edge, somehow, was more my way. Sometimes it was easier depending on how his wind was that day and this was directly

related to how many cigarettes Allan had smoked previous to the match! I recall a ferocious match in a veterans’ final at

Canberra probably 15 or so years ago where Allan fought to the last point and I always seemed to do more running than he!

But the last match we ever played was a Canberra final and after a lot of wins by me I lost that one! You could never take

Allan lightly.

Allan and I were Life Members of White City having both been members for more than 50 years – worthless now!

Talking of Kendall always brings to ‘life’ his constant tennis partner Alan Bailey. They were both great players (as distinct

from just good) and were inseparable. I remember one time I beat Alan was in a NSW final at Rockdale(probably in 2000).

Alan had won the 1st set and was leading 4-2 in the 2nd set – then I won the next 10 games! When I came off someone

remarked, “You were hot!” Luckily, I have been “hot” ever since. We played numerous times but Alan never won after that!

2- I have fun trying to live by the ‘creed’ that I came in with ‘very little’ and will go out with nothing.

Thus I have never seriously kept records except for a few bits and pieces in an old shoe box. That is the result partly too of a

wandering life – you could nearly call it the life of a ‘drifter!’

How drifters – the true Australian Stockman is a drifter – ever achieve anything I do not know but it does happen, sometimes.

Thus memory becomes the constant and only stable companion. This memory business used to be a challenge and for the

better, but now I think that it’s a liability and – for the worse!

3- Expanding on 1- and 2- with what is left of memory: A little anecdote:

We (my eldest Daughter Dr Megan Alle and I) lived for a little while on Balboa Island in Newport Beach Harbour just south

of Los Angeles. She had just graduated from Sydney University and tried her luck at becoming Dad’s “Volley Dolly!” This

was a great time in the late 70’s and early 80’s, we travelled up and down the Californian coast playing lots of tennis in

reality before Vets’ Tennis got seriously under way in Australia. The ‘children’ were mightily intrigued in those days by my

postal addresses, PO Box 4 Newport Beach, NSW and PO Box 4 Newport Beach, California.

That would not happen often.

Tennis:

As a Veteran at some stage or other I have won State titles in all states/territories except Tasmania. NSW singles and doubles;

VIC singles and doubles; SA, WA, ACT, QLD singles and some doubles that I can’t remember! National Australian Vets

singles doubles and mixed at least 3 times each usually with different partners as my welcome wore out. The last national

doubles win was even this year in Hobart with John O’Brien. The first national doubles was with Merv Lord, what a good

doubles player he must have been. That was 1988 in Perth and we beat Bailey and Kendall in the final. In 2010 on the Gold

Coast with my very good mate, Don Cosgrove, we won the national doubles that year. Don was also a very good doubles

player with a mighty backhand return from the 2nd court.

In my opinion John O’Brien is and has always been one of the best senior players in the world. Chance and life did not allow

John to garner more titles than he has. His ground strokes are superb. Watching him beat John Powless world No1. January in

Hobart was wonderful. John stroked Powless off the court for a 6-3 6-3 win.

Being overseas often on business provided ample opportunities for tennis. Thailand, Pattaya Beach etc were all popular

places. Even this year we went back to Pattaya for the Thai Championships. The entries were good but the standard overall

not so high. I won the 75+ singles (aged 83!) against a steady Jap player. The remarkable performance was by Adrienne Avis.

She stroked brilliant flawless tennis to play down 20 years in the 45+ Ladies against some tough opposition – and won.

While working in the NT in 1952/53 I won the NT Open Tournament in Darwin. Ken Rosewall came there the next year and

won. In those days it was the easiest ‘lead-in’ to climbing up the state ladder. That reminds me of beating Ken in the final of

the Manly Seaside probably in 1948. He and Hoad were in the Davis cup squad later that year. That year I also won the

Special Singles at Manly and Bromwich just!! beat me in the open – big news write-up about that match!! That was too much

pressure for me (I didn’t like Hopman, too authoritarian and preferred to go surfing!). So ended serious tennis.

In early 1951 I left Sydney for a ‘rollicking’ life that covered at least 3 marriages, 6 children, many companies, constant

travel often internationally and a lot of incredible fun - and only a little baggage, mainly in a shoe-box. This enabled me to

drop in onto tournaments quite unexpectedly both in Australia and overseas – sometimes much to the annoyance of ‘local’

players. I remember being in Switzerland one year probably 1963 and playing open tournaments at 2 quite big events held

those day in the pretty resort ‘villages’ of Champerey and Diableret and winning them both. Then not playing in Suisse again

until 2010/2011 at Klosters (when I was 80) and winning in those years their national Cat.1 tournament.

10 May 2014

A letter to the Editor - “Life Story”

from an “oldie” in QLD

That helps me recall that in 2006 I was in England, won the Cat.1 national at Bournemouth, then won at Frinton-on-Sea and

in between went to Poland and won their national (75+ then) at Sopot. What a beautiful old-world place Sopot is. We went to

a Verdi Opera (I forget which one!) held in an incredible forest setting and everyone decked out in evening attire. Just as

well it was a perfectly fine, warm evening. Poland was booming already then and now it is leaping ahead with many

business opportunities. They are hard-working, dependable, efficient people that you can trust. I married one – I was the

undependable one! In 2007 a local lass tempted me to see the picturesque town of Merano at the foothills of the Dolomites in

Italy. I won – the tennis.

How many more tournaments and tennis fun there was, still to be until the ‘drop’ occurs.

In early vet years 50+ I never offered for national team selection. In later years however – as I settled down! – the

international teams’ tennis was fun. I/We always seemed to be hedged in by Lorne Main from Canada, he was a 1-man team

and was world champion 11 times, or Henri Crutchet from France. I played Lorne 1,000 times but never beat him. I would

meet him in a world ¼ or semi year after year and all hopes would be dashed. Even as late as 2012 in the world at Umag he

beat me 6-1 6-0 in the semi. In 2011 in the Worlds at Ali Bey he beat me 6-1 6-0 in the semi!

National Teams in later years were great fun. Thrilling matches there were many. In the 80+ teams held in 2011 at Ali Bey

even though we had won the 1st two singles against Great Britain (Doug Corbett had a magnificent win against John Draper

and I won my No.1 singles) we still had to play the doubles rubber to see which team was to come 4 th, 5th or 6th. Fourth was

passable, 6th was terrible. Doug Corbett had done his magnificent bit.

Anyhow Neville Halligan our other and illustrious team member and then already 89 years of age, said to me,

“c’mon Adrian, we can beat these British blighters.”

Well of course the Great Britain guys thought they had it won –‘let’s play this old nearly 90-year old guy to death.’ Well

what a big mistake they made. Nev played magnificently and we won!

Incidentally, sadly Neville, as you all know, recently passed away. What a Gentleman and what a great positive spirit that

man had. We shared a bottle of Mumm’s and reminisced a week or so before he passed away.

I learnt a lot from being with Neville – I needed to learn a lot and I was lucky to have had Neville as the teacher! Don’t know

whether it has done me any good or not, though, but certainly my red wine consumption has improved..

At this stage I must say I, and many others, we sure do realise just how much his good partner, travel assistant, trusted

companion, Maree, must miss those wonderful times with him. We all think of you Maree. Life is a slow constant

evolvement. It can be beautiful or painful depending solely on the individual. Maree, you brought lots of beauty into both

your lives. So there! Nice things like that do not go unnoticed.

Then there were all the country tournaments over many years. I recall a big group of us always going down to Mildura. I

have a vague recollection that I won whatever singles age group I was in for 10 years out of 11 – surely that can’t be right!

Merimbula was another great place. We went there many times, Kel Kable and I always having a marathon doubles final

against Bobby Riddle and Brian Hoysted – I wonder if the 3 of them remember those tight matches. – and of course I wonder

where they all are now. Griffith, Wangaratta, Gulargambone and West Wyalong and of course Bathurst and swags more.

When we were juniors we played for sporting companies. I played for Slazengers. Every holiday weekend we went where

we were told no matter who we were. At Armidale, Bob Howe was the champion up there. He was attending the Teachers’

College after first being at Sydney University. We all played for Sydney Uni. There was Allan Kendall, Neville Head,

Arthur Addinall, Ted Halliday, Bob Howe, myself. We were a strong team and we won many University Blues.

I have just turned up one old 1959 newspaper cutting. The NSW South Coast Bega Tourney used to be ‘big-time’. It was at

that time that I garnered the name,”Brick-Wall Alle!” as per the cutting.

It does seem strangely appropriate – now 55 years later a brick wall is looming up rather large and yet still challenging.

Robyn, this has turned into a real book! It’s about now 4.30am on a warm Gold Coast Wednesday. I may as well keep going

until I drop. You will need to discard plenty or make a separate book!! I have always found that I work well in the dark!

On further thought, I will leave it here.

I do recall that I was in the first edition of ‘Tennis’ magazine, (was that the name of it?) when it came out I think around Sept

1948. Jack Crawford and I shared the 1st edition write-up! I did have a copy but the bottom fell out of the shoe-box.

Best Regards,

Adrian Alle B.E. (Hons).

“Life Story” - continued.......

11

Tennis Seniors NSW

Dec 2013 - Dec 2014

Executive:

President Mick Bruton Phone: .................................... 9679 0355 Mobile: ............................... 0416 219 656

Vice President Ian King Phone ..................................... 4283 3617 Mobile: ............................... 0416 036 815

Secretary Robyn Castle Phone: .................................... 9624 7075 Fax: ........................................ 9838 9236 Mobile: .............................. 0400 389 234 E-mail: .. tennisseniorsnsw@bigpond.com

Treasurer Arthur Olsen Phone: .................................... 9816 4196 Mobile: .............................. 0400 525 591

Committee:

Maureen Bartels Mobile: ............................... 0418 487 656 Carol Campling Mobile: ............................... 0401 057 866 Craig Edwards Mobile ................................ 0412 185 130 Greg Scott Mobile ................................ 0416 246 111 Graeme Sticka Phone ..................................... 9713 5597 Mobile ................................ 0418 402 415 Jo Walter Mobile: ............................... 0416 260 274 John Whittaker Phone ..................................... 9680 2090

State Selectors

Men Arthur Olsen ............................ 9816 4196 Craig Bullivant ......................... 9629 8525 Mick Bruton ........................ 0416 219 656 Women

Carol Campling ...................... 8065 9647 Jo Walter ........................... 0416 260 274 Margaret Wayte ...................... 6557 6481 National Selectors

Narelle Follington .................... 6762 3239 Jo Walter ........................... 0416 260 274 Carol Campling ...................... 8065 9647 Di Cassel ........................... 0426 227 946 Graeme Sticka ................... 0418 402 415

Tennis Court Services

Northern NSW

T.C.S specialises in the maintenance and repair of

synthetic grass and acrylic tennis courts.

We offer:

Grooming Repairs Algae and Moss removal

Sand adjusting Raised lines levelled

Pressure Cleaning Resurfacing Pool Surrounds

Contact Neil for a ‘no obligation’ quote

Please phone: 02 6555 3988 0409 609 203

Email: neilmatley@hotmail.com

Over 20 years in the tennis court industry

Member of Tennis NSW and

Tennis Seniors NSW

T C S ABN: 32 923 447 570

ATTENTION ALL NEW MEMBERS!

Are you aware that Tennis Seniors NSW has its

own Tracksuit? Made by KEA Australia,

and they last “forever”!

The pants have a l-o-n-g zipper for easy removal,

and the top is excellently crafted with three

vibrant blue and white panels.

Tops: $135

Pants: $60

Phone Robyn 9624 7075

or Arthur on 9816 4196

(You can have your name embroidered

for personal identification)