Congratulations for the second week to Charlotte Clarke who won the IOM Road to Wimbledon U14 Girls event last Saturday, hosted by Douglas Tennis Club. It was a good day for Albany with Roch Mirski winning the boys event and they will both have the wonderful opportunity to play against all the other counties winners at Wimbledon.The runners/up also from Albany were Aalish Kelly and Jayden Go and they will have the opportunity of coaching at Wimbledon. If that doesn't inspire them to work hard on the courts I don't know what will. Results Boys qtr final Scott Mason bt Sam Harris 4-0 4-2, Jayden Go bt David Taylor 4-0 4-0, Sam Skelcher Maxwell w/o Freddy Lloyd; s/finals Mirski bt Mason 4/1 4/0,Go bt Skelcher-Maxwell 4/1 4/1. Final Mirski bt Go 4/0 4/0. Girls qtr.final Charlotte Clarke bt Florence leigh 4-0 4-0, Sophie Long bt Hollie Roberts 4/3(2) 4-3(3), Sarah Long bt Caitlin Henery 4-0 4-2,Aalish Kelly bt Charlotte Stennett 4-1 4-1; s/finals Clarke bt Sophie Long4-0 4-0,Kelly by Sarah Long 4-2 4-2; Final Clarke bt Kelly 4-0 4-0. Well done to all the Albany juniors who took part.
The IOM tennis team for the Island Games in Gotland are still trying to raise some funds to help with the high cost of travel. They will be holding a Quiz Night in the lounge at Albany and I hope you will support them.
Entry fee is just £5 per person and this includes refreshments (buffet), and it will start at 7.30pm. 10th June. There will be a raffle so if anyone would donate a raffle prize or wants tickets please contact Hannah Snidal by e-mail hannah_snidal@hotmail.com.
Had a very interesting newspaper cutting from Billy Harris' mum, Abi. It's in French as he has been based in Annnecy in France and playing for their tennis team. Thanks to Brian Walton's wife, Jean we now have a translation :
Harris, the Atypical Englishman :
Having left England in January, Billy Harris came to complete the Annecy Tennis Team, beside Hugo Voljacques, Kevin Botti, Artem Sitak and Coach Yann Dupuy. At only 22 years of age, he is crossing Europe in order to play as many matches as possible, to live his dream. The story begins in 2015, when Billy Harris plays his first Doubles Match alongside Hugo Voljacques. Consequently, the young Englishman asks the Annecy Team if a place would be available for him. Passionate for his sport, the Brit has already crossed Spain and Portugal to finally “put down his suitcases” in Annecy. Over time he has become a major asset to the Annecy Tennis team, with whom he contests all major Inter
Club fixtures. Last year, Harris experienced injuries which prevented him from playing. So, this season is important for him, more from the physical point of view than the mental. “The year 2016 has been difficult as I experienced multiple injuries. Therefore today, I want to redouble my efforts to break through the world’s top 500 barrier. I am actually 920th and if I get through this barrier, I will take an apartment” he explains. For, in effect, Harris lives, sleeps and eats in his van, parked in front of the covered courts of Boulevard du Fier in Annecy. In spite of help from the Fédération Française de Tennis (FFT), he cannot afford to rent an apartment and
tries to spend as little as possible. In winning his singles and doubles matches last Sunday without difficulty against Istres, he is marking this season as much by his gentleness as his stunning forehand. He believes in the ability of the team and is of the opinion that it is capable of reaching Level 1. From June to August, he’ll take to the road again to participate in a dozen tournaments in Poland in order to get as close as possible to his objective.
Club coach, Ian Watson is running a Rusty Racquets/Adult coaching group on Tuesdays 6.15pm - 7.15pm cost £5 per session contact him - mob 496293
The draw for the carpet tile competition will be made at club night on Tuesday 13 June. Thanks for your support