Introduction

Club activities has pushed away from the dock and is under full sail for the current season. So far sailing is smooth and all members are in good health.

2020 is the year of the Rat. Initial reaction to rat is why such a disliked creature. Eastern culture defines Rat as: Obtain their goal despite everything. Their charm is very helpful. You may be surprised by their energy and friendliness. Hello fellow rats.

Membership

In recent months the new members are: Richard (Rick) Kiddle, Tony Lamattina, Shane McSweeney, Patrick Leech. All are accomplished players. Rick and Tony played in our premiership team Metro Masters last year. Shane is making a comeback to tennis. Patrick played for Legend Park and is a regular at social Chadstone. The club extends a warm welcome and trusts they have enjoyable tennis with St. Christopher’s. Keep in mind to promote the club to likely persons.

Team Reports

Seniors: Saturday

Waverley Tennis provides competitions for all levels of senior in Ladies, Men and Mixed. Senior competition. Contact Secretary Jack or President Graham Pang  who would be pleased to discuss.

Thursday Ladies.

As Barbara McH’s injuries are easing it was time to test a comeback. Maureen also made a comeback after spinal injury which fortunately did not require an operation. We joined the ladies: Lorraine, Moira C and Shirley. Marita S, a regular, was not able to play. Bernadette will soon return. Barbara had some difficulty with mobility but the famous forehand, reflexes and strategy existed. Maureen moved around the court and patrolled the net with dance-like steps like the good old days. You know butter would not melt in their mouths of L, M, & S. Wrong for 2 ladies. I saw racquet abuse and heard questionable language. Lucky, I did not sit in the umpire’s chair where I could have had my foot tapped. Nevertheless, a pleasant morning. Play begins at 09.30am to 11.00am.

Social Ladies.

Rummikubs. This pleasant board-game, for good reason, is often promoted. There were 12 ladies at the February meeting. Due to secret ladies business Fay K, Pam R, Marlene E and June McM were elsewhere. From the above information you can see the numbers have increased from the initial four a year or two ago. Wow, a waiting list could be introduced. So, note your diary for the 3rd Monday of the month at 1pm. Followed by social talk and soft refreshments. 

WDTA Men’s (Wednesday)

B Grade. Gold. Played 3 matches: 2 losses and a wash-out. Playing 5 to a team. Denis, Noel, Trevor, Leo, Graeme, Patrick, Roger and I have to lift our game. The loss margin is high but the matches are contested in full. Improvement to come.

B Grade. Green. The team has many good players and is in 1st position on the ladder. The players are:  Sri (C), Hari, Jeff, Supriyo, Sandy, Chandran, Nalliah, Stephen and Andrew. Hope I have not overlooked a player. AS the club has 3 teams on Wednesday morning Green is using Syndal UC’s courts in Bailey Street.

B Special. Red. The team comprises George M ©, Phillip B, Rick K, Tony L Jeff W, Andrew V and Shane McS. They are comfortable on top of the ladder. This is their first season in BSp. Continue the strong play.

Metro Masters – Thursday, Section 3

Further to the inaugural premiership in Section 5 and back-to-back in previous season the team was promoted to Section 3. Using the title StC Weekend Hacks they have noticed the higher level of play and currently in lower half of ladder. Their determination will produce better results as the season progresses. The team comprises George (C), Hari, Phillip B, Rick K and Tony L.

Juniors

Coach, Alexei and his assistants are working the school students in the joy of playing tennis. There was hope of entering a team in HotShots in 2020. Please contact Graham Pang if you can assist in this matter.

Saturday & Sunday Mornings

The gates open at 0730 hour and play continues to about 11.00a. The 3 courts are active. There are 3 Co-ordinators, who use a matrix based on time of arrival to rotate the players. In-deed, it is most enjoyable tennis. All are invited to participate.

Website/Facebook

The Website – https://play.tennis.com.au/stchristopherssyndaltennisclub/Index/aa9867c9-fd4b-4c0a-82d1-fdcc70a32d09

Facebook – StCTC is now on Facebook. For the latest news, results, events, pictures ‘Like’ us now by visiting www.facebook.com/StChristopher’sTC.

Night tennis

Monday: Frogmouths. Open Doubles B1

The team comprises James C, Stephen K, Jack K, Justine S, Supriyo S and Veera Sri. At early days they are 4th on the ladder.

Tuesday: Lapwings. Open Singles/Doubles, A Res 2:

Even though they have moved to a lower section the standard of play is high. They have a Premiership from a recent season and are showing early signs of competing successfully in this section. They are comfortable at 2nd on the ladder. The team is Graham Pang ©, Jay Sempio, Peter Anderson and Anthony Dimo.

Note: New teams & players are welcomed. You may wish to play regularly or as an occasional emergency. Contact, Graham Pang,

Tuesday: Ashburton UC. Open S/D A1. Champs.

Ashburton Uniting Church T C (Trevor Smyth) enjoy our courts and facilities on alternate nights with Lapwings. AUC is firmly on top of the ladder.

Social, Wednesday Night

Further to the Aus Open, Tennis Aus advertised on TV for the public to go via the Web to register with

the nearest tennis courts. Jack K was actively involved. No one registered with StC and bush-telegraph indicates little interest elsewhere.

Maintenance

• A contractor quoted to prune trees growing into the court fences on North and East easements. The quote of $2,500 is too much for our funds. A working bee will be set. A member has a chain-saw on extendable handle. Pruning will be dragged via East easement for a contractor to deliver to tip.
• The court light SE corner takes some 40 minutes to switch-on. Last week an electrician using a scissor light repaired faulty wiring and replaced the globe. Will need a Lotto win to pay for this.
• The recent heavy rain has washed-out areas of the courts. Repairs to be done this Friday at 9.15am
• The tank water supply was delivering an interrupted stream. A contractor has serviced the system. Now, have a steady flow, Keep your mind on the topic
• Ceiling fans are squeaking. Replacement cost is $400.

Hygiene

Again, it is written, the clubhouse is used by other groups. It is a standard requirement to maintain hygiene of the facility so that the next group does not have to clean before they commence their function.

• The 3 loaves of bread and a bag of bread rolls stored in the fridge for 3 weeks developed mold. Now disposed.
• Milk, 2 containers now. Bring it in, goes home same day
• Vacuum the carpet
• Sweep the floor tiles
• Clean the toilets.

Coaching

Alexei Demajo

Is TA Accredited and now the sole coach with assistants

• The lunch-time coaching sessions for the school students are Monday and Wednesday
• Offer private & semi-private lessons.
• Restring racquets.
• Contact their website www.futuredemandtennis.com.au or email info@futuredemandtennis.com.au

Notices

• The club has an attractive Polo Sport tennis shirt. It is a clean white, navy blue and with club’s logo and JNW logo. Truly, other clubs have commented our players represent StC’s club in a uniform of high value. The Committee would like to see all our players wearing the shirt. Recently, the Secretary wrote to the membership that the cost of the shirt is $40 to which the club will pay $10 reducing the cost to $30. Contact Jeff Webb asap to discuss size. Your response is required by Sunday 23 Feb. jeffwebb@jnwstrategic.com.au.

Email address

The club’s email address is stctennisclub@gmail.com

Best wishes in tennis

Alan