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Message
from Chris Steel - Academy Director
This
past month has been a busy one, with many tournaments being played
both here and abroad. The Azzura classic was held at the Pat
Cash Academy during the first week of April with Academy players
taking out 5 of the 8 singles titles on offer.
Our top
ranked junior Jared Easton returned from a successful ITF tour of
Asia and improved his ranking to top 50 ITF. Alex Sanders who is
touring in Israel was a finalist in two Grade 4 ITF events and won
the doubles in the first event and was a doubles finalist in the
second. Maverick Banes was also Crowned the 16’s Australian National
Clay Court Champion. Congratulations to all three players and to our
Professional Ben Mathias who coaches these players privately.
On the home front, the Academy has introduced a new
initiative in Term 2 - “Transformers” training squad, which caters
for players who have excelled in the Academy Futures program. The
Transformers squad is designed to allow an opportunity for players
to make the transition into our elite program if they have the skill
and the desire to do so. There is a criteria involved and for more
information please come and speak with me directly…! There have also
been some excellent results in local tournaments over Easter. Be
sure to check out our recent results section to see all the latest
exciting performances from all of our Academy players.
See
you next month!
Chris |
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ACADEMY PLAYER'S
RECENT RESULTS
Frankston
Clay Court Open
Shannyn
Ricketts – U/18's Singles Semi Finals, U/18’s Doubles
Winner
Brisbane
Aged Champs
Kimberly Birrell – U/10’s Singles
Quarter Finals
Athena Nathalia – U/12’s Singles Runner
Up
Andy Lau – U/12’s Singles Consolation Runner Up
Joel
Braund – U/14’s Singles Winner, Doubles Runner Up
Luke
Morland – U/14’s Doubles Runner Up
Hannah Receveur – U/14’s
Singles Quarter Finals
Beenleigh
Age
Kimberly Birrell –U/10’s Singles Consolation
Runner Up
Nakisa Djamshidi – U/12’s Singles Consolation
Winner
Amy Morland – U/12’s Doubles Semi Finals
Athena
Nathalia – U/14’s Singles Semi Finals
Shannyn Ricketts –
U/16’s Singles Runner Up, U/16’s Doubles Winner
Celina
Goetti – U/16’s Doubles Winner
Monika Weinjert – U16’s
Singles Winner, U/16’s Doubles Runner Up
Optus
Grass Courts
Louis
Ingram – 12’s – Round of 16
Well
done to all players ! |
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SPECIAL
CONGRATULATIONS
As
mentioned by Chris, leading Academy juniors Jarred Easton, Alex
Sanders and Mav Banes have had a great month of results - well done
guys ! A big thanks to Academy High Performance Coach Ben Mathias,
who has worked so hard with the guys these few
months.
Alex Sanders
Grade 4 ITF
Gosford
Singles Winner
Grade 4 ITF Israel (April
3-7)
Singles Finalist
Doubles Champion w/ Jaryd Chaplin
(Aus)
Grade 4 ITF Israel (April
11-14)
Singles Finalist
Doubles Finalist w/ Jaryd
Chaplin (Aus)
Grade 4 ITF Israel (April
17-21)
Singles Quarter Finalist
Doubles Semi Finalist
w/ Jaryd Chaplin (Aus)
Jarred
Easton
Japan
Open Grade 1 ITF 02 Apr 2007 to 07 Apr
2007
Semi final doubles w/
Andrew THOMAS (AUS)
Philippines Grade 1 ITF 27
Mar 2007 to 01 Apr 2007
Quarter Finals Singles
Quarter
Finals Doubles w/ Bernard TOMIC (AUS)
Malaysia Grade 1 ITF 20
Mar 2007 to 25 Mar 2007
Quarter
Finals Singles
Quarter Finals Doubles w/ Mark VERRYTH
(AUS)
Bangkok Thailand Grade 1 ITF
12 Mar 2007 to 18 Mar 2007
Finalist Doubles w/ Mark VERRYTH (AUS)
Indonesia Grade 2 ITF 06
Mar 2007 to 11 Mar 2007
Finalist Singles
Finalist Doubles w/ Mark VERRYTH
(AUS)
Mav
Banes
Grade 4 ITF Gosford - Doubles Finalist
Australian Claycourt Championships 16U Champion
Also,
Celina Goetti just returned back to the Gold Coast to resume her
training at the Pat Cash ITA after a wonderful experience
representing Singapore in her first professional event! At 15
yrs old, Celina is the best junior girl tennis player in
Singapore. She earned her postion on Singapore's Fed Cup Team
after a full year of beating all of the top junior girls in
Singapore. She travelled with the Singapore team to
Christchurch, NZ for a week of competition in the Asia/Oceania Zone
Group 1 Fed Cup event. Nine other teams from the region, with
players ranked in the top 100 on the WTA TOUR, participated with
Chinese Taipei winning the tournament. Celina was fortunate
enough to participate in a doubles match against Hong Kong China,
which Singapore lost in 3 sets and a doubles match against Jordan,
which Singapore won convincingly 6-0,6-0! A BIG CONGRATULATIONS to
Celina for her accomplishments in her first ever professional event!
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Celina
& Mike
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UPCOMING
JUNIOR EVENTS
5-7 May : Junior Masters Circuit - Pro
One
20 & 27 May : Junior Masters Circuit -
Miami
26-27 May : 2007 Innisfail Junior Champs
2007
8-11 June : Volkl Gold Coast Age
Champs |
UPCOMING
OPEN EVENTS
5-7 May : FNQ Age Championships, Cairns
QLD
11-13 : Gympie Claycourts Chaamps, QLD
12-13 & 18-20 : Caboolture Open,
QLD
26-27 May & 1-3 June : Ipswich Open
Champs, QLD
16-17 June : Azzura Tennis Club Open (Hope
Island) |
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PLAYER OF THE
MONTH
Kimberly
Birrell
Kimberly
Birrell is our player of the month for May. Kimberly is only 8 years
old and she has she recently competed in the first two Head Master
tournaments of the year on the Gold Coast. She played very well and
won both the Beenleigh and Azzura legs in this circuit in the 9 and
under events. In the Azzura Junior Classic, Kimberly made it to the
semi-finals and in the Beenleigh Age she was the runner-up in the
consolation final in the 10U age group. When Kimberly is not playing
tennis she likes to spend time with her mum and dad, acrobatics,
rollerblading, playing the piano and reading. Kimberly’s goal in
life is to be a professional tennis player and hopes to one day be
as good as her tennis idol Kim Clijsters or even
better! |
Kim
Birrell
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TIP OF THE
MONTH - by Wes Pope
That
First Tournament
This
month’s tip is for our youngest players who are thinking of, or just
starting, playing their first tournament. Recently we have had some
of our youngest players competing in their first ever tennis
tournament. Along with the excitement comes a curious mix of
anxiety, nerves and a fear of the unknown. Players should make sure
they start by obtaining an entry form well before the closing date
and correctly fill out all required details. It is always a great
idea to play doubles as well, as this develops your net game and
teamwork skills. If you know of a person in your age group of
similar ability why not buddy up with them to have some fun together
on the doubles court? Make sure you include your partners’ name on
your form and that they obtain an entry form as well. First time
players will need to pay a Tennis Queensland fee to be able to play
tournaments’ and it is around $25 per annum. If you have kept the
front of the entry form it will tell you the day the draw will be
out on the Internet. It is with great excitement that you will see
your name in the draw and it is very important to read your times
very carefully for not only your first but any follow up matches you
may be required to play. Obviously you have been spending as much
time on the practice court as possible and you have had some match
play to prepare for your next match. Make sure you have the right
equipment ready such as a drink bottle, hat, racquets (it is always
a good idea to check if they need restringing or not, in case you
break a string during a match). The idea of entering tournaments is
to gain experience, enjoy the experience and soak in the atmosphere
of the challenge. Remember to always be honest on line calls and
shake hands with your opponents after each match. Good luck and
enjoy your first taste of competition! |
Wes
Pope
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FITNESS TIP
- By Nick
Recovery
Had
a heavy training week?
Maybe you should try a hot/cold water
recovery session!
Submerge yourself in a tub of ice water for one
minute, then immediately into a hot shower for three minutes.
Repeat this for a total of three times for each.
This process
of vasoconstriction then vasodilatation will flush the toxins from
your blood stream and leave you feeling
invigorated!! |
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BEEP
TEST LADDER
1.
Mav Banes : 17
2. Jarred Easton : 16.4
3. Sunny Wildwood :
14.1
4. Luke Morland : 12.3
5. Rowan Willis : 11.11
6.
Monika Weinjert : 10.8
7. Athena Nathalia : 10.2
8. Amy
Morland : 9.11
9. Andy Lau : 9.3
10. George Wall :
9.3 |
RALLY
SPEED LADDER
1.
Jared Easton : 2:29
2. Alex Sanders : 2:30
3. Maverick Banes :
2:33
4. Troy Gilham : 2:40
5. Leon Frost : 2:42
6. Sunny
Wildwood : 2:43
7. Jason Alpen : 2:43
8. Joseph Matula :
2:45
9. Monika Weinjert : 2:47
10. Li Tang :
2:49 |
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PRE-ACADEMY
NEWS
General
Quite
a few new students have joined our program so far in May. We are
still catering for kids from as young as 3 years old with the Mini
Tennis Orange. The Mini Tennis Green, Tournament squads and Academy
Futures groups are still being held for slightly older, more serious
players.
Hot
Shots
The
PCITA is helping develop tennis players through their association
with the Tennis Hotshots Program whose ambassador is ex tennis great
Pat Rafter. Anyone between the ages of 5-12 can join for a one off
fee of only $20 which includes a great little gift pack. To receive
the gift pack, participating players can pay the joining fee at the
PCITA pro-shop.
Pizza
Matchplay
The
last Monday evening of 1st term saw a very tight finish with the
eventual winner being Dylan Oxley on 45points. In 2nd place were
three players, Navin Djamshidi, Ben Stevenson and David Wing who all
tied on 37points. Rounding out 5th place was Harrison Price on
34points. The new season has commenced and is on every Monday
evening from 5-7pm. |
Hot
Shots Kids at Seaworld
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THE
AZZURA TENNIS CLUB
The
10-10-10- series was exceptionally popular this session, 29 in
all signed up for the 5 week series to improve their skills,
have a great work out/run around, and enjoy their time on the
court. The sessions start again Monday May 7th, and Tuesday
May 22nd, so please sign up at reception. The cost is still
only $100 for the full 5 sessions: 10 hours of tennis, 10
hours of court hire, and 10 hours of gym time. The cost of an
individual session is $30. A special thank-you must be given
to Jackie and Linda from the Tuesday group. They bought in
gift vouchers from the Billabong shop, and movie tickets for
prizes for their fellow tennis players, a lovely and much
appreciated gesture.
The
Inaugural Azzura Davis Cup Challenge was an enormous success,
although there were no surprises in the eventual
winners. The England 1 team, led brilliantly by Captain Ernie
Grimshaw, with young guns Ross Taylor, Sonny River-Wildwood,
and Andy Olle held the trophy, beating a wonderful "Rest of
the World" team in the final. It was a nail biting
finish, Monika Weijnert surprisingly easily accounted for 71
year old Ernie in one singles rubber, England won the doubles,
so it was up to Adam Bassetti and Sonny to play for it all.
After some excellent tennis, played in the spirit of the
event, Sonny won 7-5.
Australia
had 3 match points in the decisive rubber against England in
one semi-final, but could not convert (was it Li Tang not
finishing the point, or did Ross step up?), and Murray
Speedens’ Kiwi team just could not win the tie break in the
other semi-final.
A special mention must go to the South
African team, they played hard all day, and were the first
team to crack open a beer at 9.50am!!! England A had some
wonderful victories and came in 5th, only Slovakia were
winless in the event and took the wooden
spoon.
It was a wonderful day, the tennis,
sausages, beer, and conversation flowed as countries united in
enjoying the atmosphere. I would also personally like to thank
Gaye Speeden for helping me with the catering, I could not
have done it without her.
Of course the challenge is down
for next year, can England repeat? I think Jason, Peter, Dave
and Laurie of Aus 'A' are in training already, as they think
they can do it! I will keep you posted!
Coming
up!
The famous Beer & Wine Night has
returned!! Friday May 11th at 7.00 must be put in your
calendar as a night not to miss. A selection of wine and beer
will be available, as well as some nibbles, and maybe even
some tennis too!! $20 will get you it all! Please sign up at
reception. |
The
Champions
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PAT
CASH
What's
Pat Up To ?
April
Back
in sunny Melbourne here visiting my Dad who has been
very ill.
Had
a great Easter watching the mighty Hawks grab a couple
of wins and seeing my folks and friends.
Will
head up to the Academy on the Gold Coast for a coupla
days, then on to Boston to play the Champions Cup event.
Might be playing Pete Sampras which will be a challenge
and a half. He has just joined the over 35s
circuit….Argh!!
Hope
my practice with some of the kids at the NHPA at
Melbourne Park has done me some good.
For
more diary entries, please visit: www.patcash.net |
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POTPOURRI
Coomera
Waters
As a new season has commenced and the number of new
players continues to grow. Coach John Dutton is
delighted, as this means that the depth of his players
has dramatically increased as well. John is pleased with
the progress many of his players have made and is
looking forward to working with incoming
players.
Saint
Stephens
St Stephen's players continue to work hard, both in
sessions at the school & here at the Academy. They
are certainly keeping the confectionary suppliers in
business alive and thriving - as when they come to the
Academy, they devour everything in sight. It must be all
the energy needed for their ever improving tennis &
fitness skills !! |
St
Stephen's Players
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JOKE OF
THE MONTH
A
man walks into a bar with a slab of asphalt under his
arm and says:
"Give me a beer here, and one for the
road.....!"
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