MURRUMBATEMAN TENNIS CLUB
2015 COACH’S REPORT
What a great year! Nearly every player in our club has been engaged in one
way or another with the coaching. It is amazing to me how many people are willing to
stand out on court week after week with no more recognition than the smiles they
bring to others faces.
I am sure I speak for everyone when I thank the three mainstays: Paul
Tresize, who has left an indelible mark on so many under 5’s that I struggle to get
them to advance to the Red Ball; Peter Sturgeon, who some will agree is probably
our best club player (for now) but he hits with all the players no matter what level of
competency while giving helpful hints to each; and Katja Everson, who only a short
time ago was on the receiving end of our coaching is now helping with Red, Orange
and Green Ball players while trying to maintain a tournament calendar and being very
successful, she is an inspiration to all the young ones.
In addition to these three stalwarts, other members regularly help when they
can and if I miss any I apologize: Michael Ellis, Tash Amerasinghe, Brett Lello and
the many parents who are roped in to hit with the players. Thanks to you all, you
make my job so much easier and this involvement will be what is remembered by our
players long after they win their first Slam or do whatever they want with this
wonderful game.
Sundays, during school terms, have fluctuated between 6 and 30 players. We
had 8-12 players at each holiday clinic and all this with me being gone for winter.
With the Cardio, the weather has not been particularly kind but even so there
have been 20 sessions throughout the year with a total of 85 individual sessions for
20 players. The regulars have been very supportive and all are members. The odd
one and two still turn up for the fun and the exercise but dropped off in the cold.
Private coaching at Murrumbateman averaged 10 sessions per week. Other
coaching was undertaken at Yass Lawn Tennis Club and I managed only two weeks
at Hume Tennis Club with the high school. Hume now has a permanent coach, which
is great for the district.
We still lack a competition element at the club but our wonderful committee is
working on that, so there is a big chance this year will be even better.
I have now signed a contract with the club for the use of the courts and to
establish a term commitment for both parties that gives stability into the future. I am
hopeful after some knee surgery I can continue for some years to come but I hope
the legacy I leave behind is a viable coaching base for another coach.
This coming financial year I am planning at least one clinic in each of the
school holidays (except Winter), allowing for three to four hours of volunteer coaching
on Sundays, 10-15 hours of private coaching and at least one cardio session a week
(possibly two if demand picks up).
I am also looking forward to working with Council and the Community to plan
for a future tennis center and my good friend and fellow coach at Young, Colin Mayer,
is going to teach me how to string rackets. I am also now able to get 15-25% discount
on all Babolat equipment.
All this is dependent on you members and the keenness of your continued
support to the club and active involvement in our programs including the up and
coming Field Days 17-18 October, when we do our big membership drive with the
help (I hope) of Tennis Australia.
Lines people ready, ball kids ready, PLAY!!!!
Yours in Tennis
Kim Williams JDC
Head Coach