NEWSLETTER, AUGUST, 2011
VERNON TENNIS ASSOCIATION (VTA)
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VTA Newsletter August 2011
TENNIS CLINIC FOR VTA MEMBERS
MONDAY, AUGUST 22nd
7:30 – 9:00 pm.
Concentrating on the “basics”
Instructor: Doug Rawson
Cost: $5.00/person payable at the Clinic
Register early because space may be limited by emailing or phone: 778-475-1371.
CANACCORD/FUNTASTIC MEMBERS’ TENNIS TOURNAMENT – June 25, 2011
A wonderful time was had by all 32 participants in this 3rd Annual Tournament. The weather was actually perfect for a change and the doubles tennis was well worth the price of admission. There were four colour teams (red, blue, green and yellow) with 8 team members each who played against the other three teams in same-level mixed doubles. Muffins, strawberries and coffee provided by Tim Horton’s™were available early in the day and hot-dogs, vegetable platter, and drinks were provided at lunch.
CONGRATULATIONS TO THE WINNERS
AND THE RUNNER-UPS:
Winning Team: Team Yellow – Emile Chenard, Marsha White, Ellen Burke, June Swenson, Vern Matus, Nicholas Stodin, Rhonda Peterson, Steven Browne (not in picture) and Peter Wolgram (Canaccord –Sponsor).
Runner-Up Team: Team Blue – Carol Anderson, Shawn MacPherson, Ian Christie, Lynne Smith, Joe Fabi, Sylvia Griffiths, Loren Guenette, Larry Guenther (not in picture) and Peter Wolgram (Canaccord –Sponsor). (see next column)
Special thanks to our generous sponsors, Greg Beatty and Peter Wolgram of Canaccord Capital Corporation who provided financial assistance as well as many wonderful prizes for all the participants.
The VTA also wants to acknowledge with appreciation the donation of prizes from Goodlife Fitness, Jeremy Bell, and A & W. Your generosity makes these tournaments even more rewarding for the participants.
Last, but not least, many, many thanks to all those who volunteered their time and expertise in putting this tournament together, especially Rhonda Peterson as Tournament Organizer. We couldn’t do it without you!
Winner Of The Tennis Basket: Bev Charest from Armstrong - Congratulations!
ANNUAL ROGERS ROOKIE TOURNAMENT
A very successful TennisBC sanctioned junior tournament took place at Marshall Field on July 2nd. There were 23 participants from Vernon, Vancouver, Kelowna, Canoe and Salmon Arm. All the players played really great tennis and several young tennis players could be the next ‘rising stars’ on tour.
Congratulation to the Winners:
Boys’ Round Winners – Kurt Lillemo, Finlay McPhie, Kevin Henz (Salmon Arm).
Girls’ Round winners – Alyssa Pembleton, Kassi ?, Leena Bennetto.
Once again the VTA was happy to sponsor this tournament which focuses on our future tennis players. The VTA supplied volunteer court monitors and “kitchen” help for the BBQ lunch. Many thanks to Susan Gouchee, her husband Derek and all the volunteers for a really well organized tournament once again.
VTA MEMBERSHIP INFORMATION
As of this date the VTA membership stands at 91. Members range from 15 years of age to over 75. There are also 16 juniors under the age of 18 who are part of our organization, but only pay the $10 fee to participate in the Wednesday morning program during July and August. Your support is truly appreciated and we want to see all our members on the courts enjoying the game of tennis.
BALL MACHINE UP-DATE
Use of the Ball Machine was demonstrated on court 1 during June on Monday night from 5:30-6:00 pm. Many members had fun seeing what the machine can do and also learning how useful it can be for improving strokes, movement on court and their game in general. Hand-outs were available on the effective use of a ball machine and safety guidelines.
Commencing in July, the following procedure is required to book the ball machine for your own (and/or friend’s) private use:
- The ball machine is available to paid VTA members in good standing.
- The ball machine may be booked by emailing or phoning Jackie Labuhn at or 778-475-1371
- Booking Times: Monday 5:00-6:00 pm. or Saturday 8:00-9:00 am. Booking can be for 30 minutes or 1 hour.
- Fee: For VTA members: $5.00 for 30 minutes; $10 for 1 hour. Fees collected will go towards maintenance, repair and additional equipment required for operation.
- Users will be made aware of safety and proper use and care of the ball machine before use. Information sheets will be available for each user.
- Users always have to have a person with them who is qualified to operate the ball machine.
- The ball machine will be used on Court 1 at Marshall Field.
- The ball machine may only be removed and returned to the Fabi Shack by the assigned qualified operator.
VTA SINGLES TENNIS LADDER
At the time of this publication there are 14 VTA members registered on the Singles Tennis Ladder. Fourteen or more challenge matches have taken place so far and a number of players have managed to improve their rankings on the ladder. It is a wonderful way to get to know other players at your level and to see where you fit into the tennis rating system. All players start at the bottom of the ladder but quickly “find their place” using the wildcard system which allows you to challenge any player, above or below you. Sign up by emailing or phoning Jackie Labuhn, Ladder Administrator, ( or 778-475-1371) and she will let you know how to register. The website is .
2011 RESERVED COURT TIMES
Each of the VTA reserved court time at Marshall Field is organized by one of our Board members so that everyone gets to play and no one is waiting on the sidelines more than a few minutes. Please introduce yourself to the Board member on duty if you haven’t been out before. Also remember they are trying to make the most efficient use of the courts with the number of members who show up, so please be considerate of what they do. If you have constructive comments on how it could be improved, they welcome your input. Thank you.
Monday: 6:00 – 9:00 pm.
Drop-in tennis for all levels.
Organizer: Marsha White
Wednesday: 6:00 – 9:00 pm.
Drop-in tennis for all levels.
Organizer: Frank Pow
Friday: 6:00 – 9:00 pm.
Competitive tennis for 3.5 level and above
– a “modified ladder” system is used.
Organizer: Pat McKee
Saturday: 9:00 am. – noon
“Fun” Competitive tennis for all levels – a “modified ladder’ system is used. Start time is 9:00 am. Any late arrivals will go to the farthest court and accommodated in the ladder system as they arrive.
Organizer: Joe Fabi
JUNIOR TENNIS PROGRAM
The Junior Tennis Program is well underway every Wednesday throughout July and August – 9:00-11:00 am. There are 15+ juniors on a regular basis and additional players come and go as soccer practice and vacations are completed. Players get to try out the new ball machine and some are amazed at how fast they could improve their technique.Because the balls come at the same speed and trajectory,players are more conscious of how they are stroking the ball.
Any child under the age of 18 may join to learn tennis or improve their skills with players at their own level. Supervised by a qualified instructor and VTA volunteers. Contact: or to register - $10/child for the Wednesdays remaining in August.
The Calendar Page on our website outlines in more detail the programs for each day – check it often.
NEWS FLASH! Brett Kirkpatrick, Director, and Jim McEwan, President of Funtastic Sports Society were on the court on Wednesday, August 10th to officially dedicate the new Ball Machine to the VTA. They hit the first couple of balls and then our juniors showed them how much they learn by using the ball machine with its consistent shots. The ball machine was purchased with a community grant very generously awarded to the VTA by Funtastic Sports Society.
VTA LOGO CLOTHING
At their last meeting, the Board of Directors voted to discontinue selling VTA Logo clothing as a fund-raiser. It was not generating enough profit to warrant the amount of work Stu Pike and Carol Anderson were putting into the project.
However, VTA members may request that the VTA Logo be put on any item of clothing they purchase directly from Advertising Works, Highway 97, Vernon. The cost of having the VTA Logo embroidered on clothing is very reasonable. Check out their sale rack, have the Logo put on the item you purchase, and wear your VTA Logo clothing proudly.
TENNIS LESSONS AND RACQUET STRINGING
The VTA does not endorse any instructor or racquet stringer. It is up to individual members to request qualifications:
1.Tennis Lessons and Racquet Stringing:
Jeremy Bell250-503-5489
2.Check out the Links to tennis related products and services on our website under Links.
3.Check the Tennis Canada Rating Chartbelow.
TENNIS ETIQUETTE CORNER!
Did you know that Etiquette (read “good manners”) is an important part of enjoying your tennis games????
Here are a few “points to ponder”
NEW BALLS are a MUST-have on the court.
Wait for play to stop before walking behind a court when play is in progress.
When a serve is obviously a fault, try not to return the ball to the server. Instead, guide it into the net, the fence and away from the playing area. The server may not be aware that the ball is coming back and could get hit.
Do not enter another court to retrieve a ball. At the end of a point or a break in play ask a player on that court to retrieve your ball.
When retrieving a ball for another court, wait for a break in play before sending the ball back. When returning a ball to anyone, make sure they are aware of what you are doing.
TENNIS CANADA SELF-RATING GUIDE
Always read the level before and after the level you think you are to get a good understanding of what is expected of a player in each level.
RATING / GROUND-STROKES (forehand and backhand) / RETURN OF SERVE / NET PLAY (volleys and overheads) / SERVE
1.0 This player is just starting to play tennis
1.5 This player has been introduced to the game, however has difficulty playing the game due to a lack of consistency rallying and serving.
2.0
2.0 / Can get the ball in play but lacks control, resulting in inconsistent rallies. Often chooses to hit forehands instead of backhands. / Tends to position in a manner to protect weaknesses. Inconsistent return. / In singles, reluctant to come to the net. In doubles, understands the basic positioning; comfortable only with the forehand volley; avoids backhand volley and overhead. / In-complete service motion. Toss is incon-
sistent. Double faults are common.
2.5 / Can rally consistently 10 balls in a row, especially on the
forehand, with an arched trajectory over the net when the objective is to hit to a partner at moderate speed. / In singles, consistent when returning towards the
middle of the court. In doubles, difficulty returning cross-court to start the point. / Becoming at ease at the net in practice but uncomfort-able in
a game situation. / Attemp-ting a full service motion on the first serve. First serve in-
consist-ent (less than 50%). Uses an income-plete motion to ensure a steady second serve.
3.0 / Able to rally consistently 10 balls in a row on forehands and backhands. Able to maintain the rally when receiving high, short or wide balls, assuming the ball is received at a moderate pace, especially on the forehand stroke. / Can control the direction of the ball in both singles and doubles, when receiving a serve of moderate pace. / Very consistent on forehand volley with easy balls, inconsistent on backhand volley. Overall has difficulty with low and wide balls. Can smash easy lobs. / Full motion on both serves. Able to achieve more than 50% success on first serve. Second serve much slower
than first serve.
3.5
3.5 / Able to move the opponent around the court or hit harder when receiving easier balls. Can execute approach shots with some consistency (more than 50%). / Can return fast serves or well-placed serves with defensive actions. On easy second serve, can return with pace or directional control; can approach the net in doubles. / Becoming confident at net play; can direct FH volleys; controls BH volley but with little offense; general difficulty in putting volleys away. Can handle volleys and overheads that require moderate movement. / Can vary the speed or direction of first serve. Can direct the second serve to the opponent’s weakness without double-faulting on a regular basis.
4.0 / Able to develop points with some consistency by using a reliable combination of shots. Erratic when attempting a quality shot, when receiving fast or wide balls, and when attempting passing shots. / Difficulty in returning spin serves and very fast serves. On moderately paced serves, can construct the point through hitting a good shot or exploiting an opponent’s weakness. In doubles, can vary returns effectively on moderately-paced serves. / In singles, comfortable at following an approach shot to the net. In doubles, comfortable receiving a variety of balls and converting on offensive positioning; can poach on weak returns of serve. Able to put away easy overheads. / Can vary the speed and direct-ion of the first serve. Uses spin.
4.5
4.5 / Can use a variety of spins. Beginning to develop a
dominant shot or good steadiness. Erratic when attempting a quality shot in two of the following situations: receiving fast balls, wide balls, and in passing shot situations. / Off first serves, can defend consistent-ly but very inconsist-ent
(less then 30%) when attempting an aggressive return. In doubles, has difficulty (less than 50%) returning a first serve at the feet of the incoming serve and volleyer. / When coming to the net after serving, consistently able
to put the first volley in play but without pace or depth; however, inconsistent when trying to volley powerful or angled returns. Close to the net, can finish a point using various options including drop volley, angle volley, punch volley. / Aggres-sive first serve with power and spin. On second serve
Frequent-ly hits with good depth and place-ment without double faults. Can serve and volley off first serves in doubles, but experi-ences some incon-sistency.
5.0
5.0 / Able to maintain a consistent rally, 10 balls in a row on faster balls. Very steady strokes or has a dominant shot. Periodically succeeds (50%) when attempting a quality shot when receiving fast or wide balls, and in passing shot situations. / Periodic-ally succeeds (50%) at aggressive return off fast first serves using dominant shot (forehand or backhand). In doubles can return at the feet of serve and volleyer. / In doubles, after the serve, has a good, deep crosscourt volley. Overhead can be hit from almost any position. / First serve can win points outright, or force a weak return. Second serve can prevent the oppon-ent from attack-ing. Serve and volleys on first serves in doubles with consist-ency.
5.5 This player has developed a game style which is recognizable as either an all court player, an aggressive baseliner, a serve and volleyer, or a retriever. Has developed good anticipation either technically (can read toss on serve, body position…) or tactically (can read opponents tendencies in specific situations). Has no major weaknesses and can counterattack effectively against a hard ball, wide ball or in passing shot situations. Capable of competing in “open” category provincial level tournaments. Ability to use specific shots in order to exploit opponent’s weakness: drop-shot, lob, angle, moonball…
6.0 to 7.0 These players will generally not need a rating. Rankings or past rankings will speak for themselves. The 6.0 player typically has had intensive training for national tournament competition at the junior level and collegiate levels and has obtained a provincial and/or national “open” ranking. The 6.5 player has extensive international “open” level tournament experience at the entry professional level (challenger or satellite experience). The 7.0 is a world class professional tennis player.
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VTA Newsletter August 2011