YEAR ENd 2008 - Ontario Tennis Association

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PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE At the first regional general meeting I attended three years ago, Adrian Baldeo, Chair of Tennis Toronto, invited each club to share their successes of the past year, and the challenges they faced in the year ahead. It was an eye opener; not only for me, but for the rest of the group listening to what some clubs had achieved, irrespective of the size of their membership. The same was true when clubs described the challenges they faced in the coming year. I later shared Adrian’s idea with the other Regional Chairs and a number of them now include a similar session as part of their AGMs. This past fall I attended five OTA regional annual general meetings. Those meetings allow me to meet club Presidents on a personal level and hear about their successes in 2008 and the challenges they face in 2009. What follows in a summary of my notes from those five meetings. I have not included everything that was discussed. I have instead limited myself to common elements. Beginning on a positive note, a majority of clubs in all regions reported an increase in both adult and junior membership requiring, in several instances, a need for waiting lists. In areas where a decrease was reported, Once players developed a feeling of being a part of something special, participation increased. reasons included an economic downturn in the region, increased unemployment, and financial hardship. Other reasons included aging membership, a high yearly membership turnover, and difficulty recruiting new members. Clubs reporting either stable or increased membership were proactive in providing tennis programming that matched the instructional needs and levels of ability of members of all ages. Led by enthusiastic tennis pros and volunteers these clubs provided: free lessons for new members, new member orientation, junior camps, progressive tennis, family nights, house leagues, round robins, inter-club leagues, a variety of tournament structures, a fitness program, club socials, a Pro-Am event and, in one case, a cancer fundraiser in honour of a deceased member. Junior camps were by far the most successful activity with record numbers reported. Several clubs also reached out to disadvantaged youth and either waived or obtained sponsors to cover camp fees. Some smaller clubs worked together and shared pros and programs. Clubs that focussed on being “a people place” with strong community connections tended to draw more new and casual players to the court. Once players developed a feeling of being a part of something special, participation increased. In terms of 2009, the most commonly reported challenge continues to be the development of a good working relationship with the municipal authorities who own the land upon which most community clubs are located. While we recognize that tennis is not the only sport competing for local recreational funding, a more open and transparent process is required. Currently, regional associations and clubs feel as if they have little or no input into a process that affects them directly. The current economic crisis will certainly impact 2009. Job cuts and unprecedented cost-cutting measures by companies will translate into decreased membership, particularly in areas hardest hit by the economic downturn. A recent article in The Hamilton Spectator stated that “Canada’s economy is in a period of deep uncertainty that is difficult to see beyond.” Bank of Canada Michel Lecavalier, OTA President with James Blake at Rogers Cup governor Mark Carney does not foresee a rebound in the Canadian economy until 2010, and even then, predicts that it will be a modest one. Over the next two years, the OTA and its member clubs must budget carefully and manage resources prudently. However, in an attempt to stimulate the economy, the federal budget included a commitment to invest in Canada’s recreation infrastructure. An infrastructure funding program is being developed that will focus on renewing and building community sport and recreation facilities. The initiative provides $500 million over two years to cover the cost of eligible projects. Details regarding how to access these funds have not yet been released. OTA members will be kept informed of further developments via the OTA’s weekly news letter. 2008 successes, there were many! 2009 will be all about challenges... 4 OTA YEARBOOK / WINTER 2009
WIlSON JuNIOR PROvINCIAl ChAMPIONS 2008 • champion • Finalist u18 Boys singles • zach White • thomas mroziewicz soufiane Azargui Nathaniel gery William reznek u14 Boys singles • brayden schnur • Amanjeet dhaliwal Alex koshetov Penfield binet kyle macdonald u18 girls singles • sandra dynka • Amy he Nada marjanovic lexi brand sheila smiley u14 girls singles • solomiya zinko • erin routliffe evangeline repic joan Cannon Aurthi muthukumaran u18 Boys doubles • Christiaan lee daigle & michael lue • thomas mroziewicz & sergiu laza u14 Boys doubles • Penfield binet & Allen morgan • brayden schnur & Amanjeet dhaliwal u18 girls doubles • Amy he & siyu li • Nada marjanovic & tara vosovic u14 girls doubles • louise kwong & erin routliffe • Carol zhao & solomiya zinko u16 Boys singles • gino octa • iain sneddon jr. tom dynka vincent Chan Arankan balaranjan u12 Boys singles • Andrew richards • Alec luchak raheel manji griffin brockman Philippe Courteau u16 girls singles • Angelica sidorenkio • Nada marjanovic ruxandra Andreiscu erin routliffe louise kwong u12 girls singles • iana Nikolaeva • Alexandra makashov laura macmullin gracia mboko Charlotte Petrick u16 Boys doubles • gino octa & vincent Chan • eli brown & William reznek u12 Boys doubles • Philippe Courteau & Andrew richards • griffin brockman & raheel manji u16 girls doubles • erin routliffe & lyudmyla lisovska • Angela sekely & milijana sobovic u12 girls doubles • Nikki Carnovale & bianca Parsons • gracia mboko & sammy mayer U12 and U16 Provincial Champions U12 Girls Singles Champions U16 Boys Singles Champions U18 Girls Singles Champions U18 Boys Singles Champions U16 Girls Singles Champions U18 and U14 Champions
Page 1: Canadian Postal Agreement No. 40710
Page 6 and 7: MEN's OuTdOOR PROvINcIAl chAMPIONs
Page 8 and 9: INdOOR PROvINcIAl chAmPIONs 2008 Bo
Page 10 and 11: COAChING Coaching Certificaton Syst
Page 12 and 13: MEET OUR COURSE fACIlITATORS David
Page 14 and 15: ThE FINANCIAl PICTuRE Summary of OT
Page 16 and 17: PROGRAMMING hIGhlIGhTS In 2008 the
Page 18 and 19: THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS Progressi
Page 20 and 21: TENNIS PROMOTION Tennis in Ontario
Page 22 and 23: ROGERS ROOKIE TOuR GROWS uP The pop
Page 24 and 25: pROfIlEs Nationals Won At what age
Page 26 and 27: ThE ROGERS RANKING SYSTEM The Roger
Page 28 and 29: YEAR ENd 2008 Junior Boys Event: BS
Page 30 and 31: YeAr end 2008 Adult Event: MS Categ
Page 32: www.fitnesssource.ca Trust Canada

YEAR ENd 2008 - Ontario Tennis Association

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