Contact Us: 01491 681303 or realtennis@oratory.co.uk

Saturday, October 28, 2006

Book Now - Annual Club Dinner, 3rd December


Date : Sunday 3rd December, (Post Club Championship)
Venue : The Oratory Black Room
Presentation of Prizes including the most improved player of the year. Champagne Reception, 5 Course Dinner
Price: £35.00 per person
Dress Code: Sunday Best!
Carriages : 11pm
Numbers : Limited to 60 people !
Please Signup at the Pro’s Shop, Cheques payable to Oratory Tennis Club

Monday, October 23, 2006

Autumn Ultimate Doubles

This event was held on the 21st/22nd October with 8 pairs in the 30-40 handicap range and 8 pairs in the 40-50 range.
The 30-40 group was won by Eric Walker and Steve Kendell who beat Mike Allaway and Paul Knox 6/5 in the final.
The 40-50 group was won by David Fox and Kevin McCourt who beat Ian Wood and John Kennedy 6/3.
The results have been entered onto RTO giving (probably) our first set of doubles results and handicap changes. All matches were played off level and were one set with 40-all (no deuces).
In the 30-40 group, of the 16 matches, there were 8 Wins (2 big wins!), 4 draws and 4 gave no result.
In the 40-50 group, there were also 8 Wins (one big win and one handicap win although the match itself was lost), 3 draws and 5 gave no result.
There were many good matches overall with some very promising doubles play. Of the 32 matches, 8 went to 6/5 and 6 to 6/4. Only one match was 6/0 with only 3 being 6/1.
There may be another event in the Spring. Please contact ultimatedoubles@oratorytennisclub.net if you are interested but did not play this time.

Wednesday, October 18, 2006

Fitness for Real Tennis Session - 6th November

I would like to invite members to a Fitness for Real Tennis session

This is a great opportunity to learn about the physical requirements of the game and the training principles for improving aspects of your game. There will be a chance to ask me any specific questions after the session plus a grill competition.

The session will take place on Monday 6th November 2006 on the Real Tennis court at The Sports Centre from 6:00pm. The price of the session is £3.00 per person and spaces are available on a first come first serve basis. To reserve a place e-mail me (t.huelin@oratory.co.uk) or call The Sports Centre

Thanks Tom

Tuesday, October 10, 2006

A Real Tennis Warm-Up

For Top Tips on staying Fit for Real Tennis see Tom Huelin's Website

Warm Up - Warming up before a game of tennis or any sporting activity is essential for improving performance and minimising injuries. The primary physiological effects of a warm up are to increase core temperature, increase heart rate and blood flow to the skeletal muscles, increase the activation of the central nervous system and to increase the force and suppleness of connective tissue. A warm up should include an initial pulse raising activity such as jogging, cycling or rowing, followed by a series of dynamic exercises, finishing with some sports specific drills.

Pulse raising: The initial stages of a warm up should consist of a pulse raising activity to initially increase heart rate and blood flow to the working muscles. Jogging, rowing and cycling are effective pulse raising activities (although jogging is the most suitable for real tennis).

Real tennis is a game that requires a large amount of lateral movement. Therefore it is important that the warm up should replicate a game situation as much as realistically possible. I suggest performing activities such as sideways and backwards jogging, high knees, crossovers, and short bursts of running or sprinting.

At this point many fitness professionals and coaches would encourage players to perform static stretching exercises where muscles are contracted and held for a period of time. My research and experience has lead me to believe that pre event static stretching does more harm than good. Also, I can’t think of a single sporting activity where a player is stationary during a game.

Dynamic exercises: The game of real tennis requires players to be quick, agile and be able to perform complex movements quickly. It is therefore important to prepare for these situations in the warm up. I suggest forward, backward and side lunges with twisting hip rotations. Upper body exercises should include dynamic arm rotations.

Sports specific drills: Real tennis specific practices (forehand, backhand, volleying) should be performed with your opponent immediately prior to playing.

By following these principles you will give yourself the best possible chance of success and decrease the chances of picking up an unnecessary injury. I am proposing that members use a squash court (if available) or the 2nd floor area to warm up, although I appreciate that there is limited space for jogging and running. However, as mentioned previously rowing and cycling are effective pulse raising activities.

If anybody has any questions on warming up or has any ideas that they use before playing then please get in touch.

Tom

A picture paints a 1000 words ...

See some of the images of the World Championships and the court's extended viewing areas.

Monday, October 09, 2006

Whittaker & Brownlee Win Out-the-Hat Mixed Doubles

Great fun had by all with many exciting matches and new players taking part . Group winners were:

C.Butler / J.Gordon, S.Brownlee / I. Whittaker, I.Walker / J.O’Sullivan, C.McLean / P.Tomalin

Winning pairs played a round robin and eventual winners were Ian Whittaker and Sarah Brownlee. Well done to Ian and Sarah as they both played well throughout the whole weekend.

Wednesday, October 04, 2006

Real Tennis Extravaganza Night - Thursday 16th November

There is a Real tennis Extravaganza evening on Thursday 16th November for friends to sample the game, watch an exhibition and have cheese and wine! Book now with the Pros

60 People Watch National League

Thank you for all your support last night for the national league match v Leamington
Over 60 people! Great atmosphere, food, and company.

The match ended in a narrow win for Leamington by 2 matches to one Kevin Sheldon and Marc Seigneur took the final doubles 8/4. Great also to see many members making use of the free guest pass. Well done Callum Maclean for being the first winner of the “beat the chase” competition

The next home national league match will be against Hampton Court on Thursday 7th December.

Tuesday, October 03, 2006

Revenge is sweet for Bryn ..

After losing to Nick Wood in the European open Bryn Sayers got his revenge by winning in straight sets 6/2 6/3 at the Canford Invitational 1st October.