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T&RA Newsletter –Christmas 2014
hief Executive Update
Probably the most exciting development for this season is the establishment of a new Rackets World Challenge Process for both Singles and Doubles. The elite players now have a dynamic ranking process and also a transparent system for collecting race points (towards a potential challenge). The result has seen all the top players in action, with every competition bulging at the seams with talent. The top three singles players have all collected titles in the UK with Will Hopton winning the Manchester Gold Racquet, Jamie Stout the Invitation and Alex Titchener-Barrett the Amateur. Rackets continues to thrive; the next step is to work and retain the current players in the Schools’ Championships. In Tennis, the British Open saw Camden Riviere win the title for the first time and become the fourth different winner in the last four years. He also teamed up with the evergreen Tim Chisholm to win the Doubles, so a good week’s endeavour. The event saw the current World Champion, the World Number One and the Rackets World Number One. The implementation of the Markers’s Protocol has also dramatically improved the standard and consistency of this important aspect of the game – and further strengthened the Club Professional Development programme. The other significant development is ladies participation in Real Tennis. Claire Fahey applied and was admitted to play in the British Open. Her entry was accepted for this year with entries in subsequent years subject to a review involving full consultation with interested stakeholders – a process which is underway. Claire’s handicap was good enough to make the main draw, where she acquitted herself admirably. More to follow before the end of this season. Finally, the prospect of a new court at Wellington is edging ever closer. Fundraising has been very successful, although there is still a short bridge to gap. The project has secured its planning permission from the Council and represents the greatest opportunity to see the first new Tennis court since Radley. These are exciting times and I’d urge anybody thinking about donating to contact Eleanor Marsden, Deputy Director of Development elm@wellingtoncollege.org.uk. Further details on the T&RA website.
THE T&RA SENDS WARM WISHES TO ALL ITS MEMBERS FOR A VERY HAPPY CHRISTMAS AND NEW YEAR
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unior Open Singles Champ’ships ....31 August 2014
Paul Weaver and winners
Howard Angus writes….. The weekend went really well, impeccably organised by Paul Weaver as always! The final of the Under 12s, an all-Seacourt affair won by Max Jones, was played on Saturday evening, after the U16 Girls Plate. Perhaps the most interesting of the finals was the U14 contest between twins Fin and Zak Ramjane, from Prested, which the elder, Fin, (by 1 minute!), won 6/4 6/4, both playing some very stylish, if erratic, Tennis. In the U16 final Alex Dyter was steadier than Nick Milton, and in the U18 final Sam Willis did not have enough guns to trouble the more complete game of Charlie Braham.
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he Over 60 Amateur Doubles Real Tennis Championships
Duncan Colquhoun & Paul Weaver eventually prevailed in a splendid final, beating John Prenn & Richard Moore 6/0 4/6 6/4. Both had been unbeaten in the round-robin stage, surviving a strong challenge from Philip Shaw-Hamilton and Sir Andrew Hamilton (both by 6/4). Vern Cassin and Mick Dean just lost 3/6 to Prenn & Moore, thanks to Prenn’s court coverage and despite Vern Cassin’s fine serving and aggressive volleying. A potentially crucial match, poised at 3-3, was halted as Mick Dean pulled a calf muscle against Shaw-Hamilton & Hamilton but probably did little to affect the eventual result of the tournament. Both Marek Stefanovicz’s volleying & Jonathan Fisher’s elegant floor play provided a stylish combination without the success they perhaps deserved while David Bryant’s experience combined with William Donger’s power to provide stiff competition for everyone. They played especially well to defeat Stefanovicz & Fisher 6/5, coming from 1-4 down.