Albany's Mini Red coaching sessions - there are 5 or 6 places available on the 12pm to 1pm session. Some players have moved up to the 1pm session. This group is for beginners aged 4 years and upwards and they have three free taster sessions. Racquets are provided and they must wear non-marking soled trainers. If they like tennis they are invited to join the club - cost £85 for the year which includes their 1hr coaching session on Saturdays. Beginners will be assessed by club coach Ian Watson and moved to the later group at 1pm or another day, depending on their ability.
Last weekend Charlotte Clarke (12) played in two one day events. On Saturday at Birchwood, Warrington she was the No. 1 seed in the 14 & under. She reached the final and won the event 3/4 4/1 (10-4). Then on to Wrexham, this time playing in a 16 & under event. Quite a step up but a good experience and she reached the final by winning three tough matches in difficult wet weather. The final had to be played as one set - the first to win 4 games. This is helping her to gain much needed ranking points and helping towards her goal - being accepted in to a national tournament.
Meanwhile another junior, Jayden Go (13) also played at Birchwood winning 2 of his 5 matches and also gaining match experience. He isn't happy with his results - which is a good thing and this will drive him to work even harder. He is always at the club practising but match experience is the best tutor. I told him even Rafa Nadal loses matches!
Our Annual Chrystals Senior Open tournament will be held this year over one weekend 19/20 May with a new format. Entry forms will be available after the weekend. The Saturday will be Men's and Women's Singles with a sliding handicap and Sunday will be Mixed Doubles. More details next week.
Albany's older members mainly the men, were performing in the IOMLTA Veteran Championships at Castletown over the w/end - but where were the over 35s and any of our female players. I do hope we will see more entering other competitions throughout the year.
The club's league fixtures for next week are: Monday (30th April) Albany Auxesia Men's A v Douglas Men's A and Douglas Women's A v Albany Auxesia Women's A ; Wednesday (2 May) Douglas Men's B v Albany Auxesia Men's C; Thursday (3 May) Ramsey Men's B v Albany Auxesia Men's D. So only one home match next week and therefore all the courts are available for members use most of the time.
The club's Wimbledon ballot will take place this Saturday at the club at 1pm.
PS - if any of our members planting a new garden would like some lily of the valley plants ring 861497.