Slooowww down.. How is it already March!! We seemed to have missed winter here in SoCal and the year is marching into spring. Lots is happening this spring. The adult spring leagues will be starting in April. More information below. Of course, the best tournament of the year in our own backyard BNP Paribas will be starting in a few weeks. I will be there on March 14th if you are there, track me down. The 2022 BNP Paribas Open will require all attendees to show valid proof of full vaccination against COVID-19 to enter the Indian Wells Tennis Garden for the tournament. I believe that means booster too. They also are welcoming children back to the Indian Wells Tennis Garden by offering free grounds passes to fully vaccinated kids ages 5 – 12, when accompanied by an adult with a ticket. For more information please check their web page.
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I am in the process of organizing matches for the juniors with other clubs. If you want your child to be a part of the team, let me know. Currently we don’t have enough kids to host individual teams, but I am working with other club directors to get the kids started with match play.
March 28- April 16 spring break will be like we did over the winter break, random classes and perhaps a camp for those who are interested. Please let me know your spring break intentions. Especially those who are taking private lessons. My plan is to resume regular schedule again April 18. I have attached the flyer with this basic information. You now will be able to sign up online instead of sending me the information. Please note the online has a surcharge. Those paying via cash app, check or who have a credit balance, please contact me personally and we can figure out how this will work. Please note due to requests, the Saturday peanuts class is now one hour. The cost will be an hour fee. Kids who can last only thirty minutes are welcome to attend as well.
I know summer is right around the corner. As of now, I am planning on a similar schedule as last summer. Monday through Friday Peanuts through Junior Clinic levels 9:00am-12:00pm and then Junior Touring Pro level 2:00-5:00pm. There will be one-hour classes for those who don’t want to do a camp type situation. I am waiting to hear what the center will allow us to do. Here is the current pricing for classes and packages for juniors.
30 Minute Class
10 Classes $200; 6 Classes $135 Drop In $25
60 Minute Class
10 Classes $300; 6 Classes $200 Drop In $35
120 Minute Class
6 Classes $330 Drop In $60
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We welcome to the team our new junior teacher in training, Katie L. Katie has demonstrated maturity and a willingness to learn. She has been a terrific, dedicated student in our program for several years now. Our junior teacher training program is for motivated juniors ages 10-14 to help out with the peanut and star classes giving them an opportunity to learn how to coach tennis. The younger kids LOVE having them help out. It just seems like yesterday Coach Harrison (in photo and now a sophomore in college) and Coach Natalie were in the junior teacher training program. What is even more crazy to me is that Eliana's dad was one of our first coaches in the teacher training program now he daughter is a teacher in training! I am not old enough to have a tennis program that has been around that long!! Below are a couple favorite photos of mine from our junior coaches. We have had so many wonderful junior coaches who have become assistants over the years. Mike R, MJ, Shayna, Bailee, Rebeca, Aimee, Amanda, Olivia, Will, Adrian, Sammy, Andrew, Natalie, Harrison, Maddie, Madison, and Sam just to name a few. I know I am missing a bunch! You all are loved and you are missed. Are you a motivated junior who has been a part of our program and would like to be a part of our junior coaching staff?? Let me know!
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And some even go on to be coaches as a profession!! Like MJ who was only six when he started with me and now coaches at Buckley!! I love him like my own son! I am so proud of the amazing man he is! |
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Our adult leagues are doing great. Yes, we are in first of the last place teams, but each match the players have been learning and getting better. The new league will begin in April. Sign-ups are happening now! We need half signed up by this Saturday to be considered into the schedule. Please get it done now. As of now we will be hosting three teams. Ladies 3.0, Ladies 3.5 and Men’s 3.0. A Men’s 3.5 is a possibility but I have been finding it challenging to get enough men to commit to play. I know we can do it! Please contact your friends and your friends of friends who play so we can put together a men's 3.5 team!!! Please contact me to let me know you want a men's 3.5 team!! Or for any team questions you might have. Each match is comprised of three doubles and two singles matches. We need eight players each weekend.
To sign up, you need your USTA number, our team number and a credit card. The sign-up fees are decided by the USTA. Our fees will be $15 per match. You will go to USTA.com Join a Team.
Here are our team numbers:
Ladies 3.0: 6517707443
Ladies 3.5: 6517707450
Men’s 3.0: 6517706179
Men's 3.5 TBA
Cost $35 per class
Beginners: Tuesday 7:00-8:00pm
Intermediate: Monday 7:00-8:00pm, Tuesday 10:00-11:00am,
Thursday 7:00-8:00pm , Friday 9:00-10:00am
Advanced: Wednesday 7:00-8:00pm
All Levels: Saturday 9:00-10:00am
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News from HEAD/Penn
On March 5th, two days before the start BNP Paribas, HEAD is launching their new Speed racket here in the USA. This racket is constructed with auxetic materials which allows for better feel and control. The aerodynamic cross-section of the speed beam maximizes swing speed and power. The enlarged power grommets maximize string movement for increased power and the special Speed string pattern provides the perfect mix of power under control. Sounds like a racket made for power and control to me! Make sure to check out your favorite players that use HEAD rackets at BNP Paribas then swing by our local tennis shops Tennis Ace, Sweet Spot, Serve it Up Tennis and Racket Doctor to demo!
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What’s New with The Crew
My mom had to say goodbye to her dear friend of fifty years, Alice who moved on from this manifestation on January 28th. Alice was that everyday friend who my mom would call, text or send a random photo every day to. That friend who you would go have margaritas with and wonder where the time went. I can’t remember when Alice wasn’t a part of our lives. Alice left a house full of things and no children to inherit them. One of the furniture items is this cute dresser set. Here is a photo of one of the pieces. There are three pieces in this set. If you need some furniture or know someone who does, contact my mom, Margie. Alice was truly a character on life’s stage and will be dearly missed.
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Thank you everyone for your continued support. I know you have many options at Weddington. I feel our program is special and am glad to have you a part of it. To me it is more than tennis so thank you for being a part of our tennis family "The Crew". Let’s play lots of tennis this spring and have even more fun than one can imagine!! |
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Keep your head up and keep reaching for that toss!
Coach Nikki, Natalie, Aiden, Madison, Sam,and Eliana
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