WEST BEACH COMMUNITY BANK

TENNIS 35+ SENIORS SA STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS 2007

The Championships were held on Sunday 11^th – Wednesday 14^th November at the Tennis Seniors SA Centre on Greenhill Road.

The weather this year was exceptional with lovely sunny days and even better warm nights, with no sign of rain. One hundred and fifteen players entered including fifteen players from Interstate –from Tasmania, Victoria, NSW and Queensland and many of them took home the spoils.

The Championships proved to be very successful with 68 players entered in Singles events, 212 players entered in Doubles events and a total of 214 matches played over the 4 days.

The full list of winners and Runner ups is attached but prominent SA players to do well were Rino Traforti –winning the 35 Men’s Singles defeating Andrew Schuelke; Bill Lewis winning the 45 men’s Singles defeating Tasmanian Brett Andrews; Trevor Reeves won the 50 Men’s Singles defeating Greg Parker. The Men’s 60s was dominated by Queenslanders with Lee Taylor defeating Terry McLellan. Brian Dew won the 60 Men’s defeating well known Victorian player Maurice Broom. SA’s tennis icon Ray Woodforde was successful in the Men’s 70s Singles defeating well known former Olympic basketballer Mal Heard.

The Men’s 75 Singles was won by 81 year old Ward Hillier from Victoria, defeating 77 year old Allan Shephard (of Magill) Congratulations to all those players.

At the completion of the finals on Wednesday night –100 people attended the Presentation in the Clubhouse, this I think is the most we have had in recent years. Thanks to everyone for staying around and making it such a success. In the absence of SA Tennis Senior President John Schluter, Dennis Haupt Vice President presented Medallions and prize money to the winners & Runner ups. This year everyone who attended the Presentation was given a free entry into a draw for a Head Tennis racquet –This was won by David Fielden (husband of player Pauline) – David hopes to be on the court soon to try it out.

Also we had our usual draw of $150 for all those players who entered the Singles events and this was won by Sandra Bryant –one of our regular night competition players and also a hard worker –always to be found in the kitchen – Congratulations Sandra.

The success of the Championships is dependent on all the players who participated in the event and all the volunteers who gave up their valuable time to conduct the event.

Special thanks must firstly go to our valuable Sponsor –The West Beach Community Bank for their generous financial assistance –it is very much appreciated. Secondly, thank you to Sport Furst of The Next Generation Memorial Drive – Kevin has been a long time supporter of our Championships and we do very much appreciate his generosity. Things weren’t quite the same without him present this year.

A special thankyou to the Tournament Committee –Janet Wang Tournament Secretary; Dennis Haupt & Vada Osborn for manning the desk for the duration, Barb Mathews and Lorna Harmer for organising the trophies & prize money, Ian Delbridge for all the odd jobs that someone has to do- from cooking the BBQ, putting up umbrellas, making sure all the refreshments were on the ice and anything else that needed to be done and also a special mention to my sister Janine Sleep for the many hours put in setting up and scheduling the Tournament. This Committee has been doing the Championships for several years now and they are all to be congratulated on an exceptional job –well done.

Thanks must also go to our referees Allan fisher and Brian Arnold for all their time over the 4 days –especially Tuesday night which saw several long 3 setters making the night’s play conclude at midnight!

Sue Hand and all her helpers are to be congratulated on once again doing an exceptional job with the catering –in particular the Sunday night BBQ Tea which I think was another record attendance and also the Presentation night supper which was also up to their excellent standards–Thank you Sue and all those who assisted her. Thanks to Carol Delbridge for manning the Bar for the 4 days – another busy job well done.

Almost, lastly but by know means least –the Ground Staff who made sure all the facilities were ready for play.  Thanks to Louis Kemenyvary and his helpers.

Now lastly I want to thank the most important people who are you players for participating in the Championships and making it such a success –for without you we would not have an event.

Congratulations to everyone for being involved. I think it was great! And I hope you all enjoyed it as well.

We hope to see everyone and more back to play in 2008 at our new facilities.