OTA WEST REGION WINTER NEWSLETTER 2020
who will forget it !!!
We wanted to take a moment and congratulate all the regional volunteers, professionals and tennis organizers throughout the OTA WEST REGION for their efforts in keeping tennis a viable fitness option during a year, none of us could have imagined a year ago.
Did any of you have “global pandemic” as a threat on your clubs’ SWOT analysis?
Most clubs had to add new terms to their procedure manuals such as “PPE” and “social distancing”. Many clubs did not open their clubhouses to their members, staggered court times, cancelled tournaments and limited group lessons. Throughout though there was a spirit of analyze, adapt and implement that allowed tennis to continue.
Although the pandemic is projected to rage on over the winter, there should be an expectation of a light at the end of the tunnel as a results of targeted lock downs and vaccines being rolled out. With that being said, I am sure we are all looking forward to the re-opening of the upcoming outdoor tennis season.
As your Regional Representatives on the OTA Board, we would like to hear from you with your priorities for the 2021 tennis season and to tell us how the OTA can help support your club and local tennis in your community. I have enclosed a short survey (3 minutes) which I would ask each member club to take a few minutes to complete. Click on SURVEY please. To be completed by January 15th. This will assist the committee in setting our priorities.
A little good tennis news:
- The Tennis Industry Association (TIA) reported that up to the third quarter 2020, youth racquet shipments in the US have increased by 27.4% and all racquet shipments including adult frames are up 22.3%. Despite the pandemic tennis is thriving.
- As reported 12/11/2020, the International Tennis Federation (ITF) Sport Science and Medicine Commission, the USTA Sport Science Committee & USTA Medical Advisory Group supports the conclusion that the surface of tennis balls are unlikely to harbour SARS-Co V -2 in a manner that is compatible with the risk of developing COVID-19 from handling the ball during normal play. The more we know the better we can safely re-open.
Although the OTA offices are currently closed due to the Toronto COVID lock down, staff are diligently working remotely from the safety of their homes.
Keep in mind with the cancellations of most of the instructor certification courses in 2020 attracting qualified junior instruction staff may be more competitive for 2021. If you require staff please take advantage of the OTA Jobline service by contacting jneill@tennisontario.com . Also be aware that the Ontario minimum wage increased last October.
We do hope that you will use Club Strong the online resource that was developed to help volunteer executives run successful clubs. Please direct any new Board Members to Club Strong so they can get up to speed. There is some great information housed in one location. If you find something missing just let us know.
OTA Distinguished Service Award Winner
We would like to congratulate Marjorie Nicholson on winning the 2020 OTA Distinguished Service Award. Marjorie was instrumental for the growth of tennis in the Windsor and Essex County area for years. She started in the Windsor area at the Windsor Tennis Club at Jackson Park. She ran the junior programs and served as the Club President. She played a big role in the Windsor Indoor Tennis Club where she was the Tennis Director. She was a leader in the development of wheelchair tennis locally which is the ITF wheelchair tournament that still runs to this day. Along with the development of the Windsor-Michigan junior and adult leagues. She was also the driving force behind the indoor tennis facility that was formerly the Windsor Tennis Club outdoor facility at Jackson Park. Presently now known as the Parkside Tennis Club. She did years of volunteer work for tennis in the area. Even now, though she is retired she volunteers to run seniors tennis at the Parkside Tennis Club. All of us in OTA West Region would like to thank her for her tireless work in growing tennis. Marjorie will be formally recognized by the OTA Board of Directors once the pandemic ends and a ceremony can be planned.
Marjorie Nicholson
New Indoor Tennis Facility within the region.
We would like to congratulate Mike Boschin and Jason Kryk directors of Windsor Tennis Management on the opening of the Zekelman Tennis Facility at St. Clair College in Windsor. It took many years of time and effort in planning this facility and couldn’t have been done without the wonderful support of their partners and sponsors, St. Clair College’s SAA, Barry & Stefanie Zekelman, Capri Pizza. The facility has four DecoTurf internationally sized courts. Along with a pro shop , cafe and upstairs viewing area and lounge, locker rooms with showers. They look forward to growing tennis with this new facility.
WEST REGION AGM Notice
Please add to your calendar the West Region Annual General Meeting on video to be held remotely
- Thursday February 18th, 2020 @ 7 PM.
Please RSVP by mailto:westregion.ota@gmail.com with the name and email address of your club representative for the meeting so we can email them a WEBEX invitation to the meeting.
We are looking to fill the following West Region Committee vacant positions:
- Director Marketing & Communication
- Director West Club Representative (Windsor to London)
- Director East Club Representative (Stratford to Guelph)
- Director North Club Representative (Southampton, Kincardine, Hanover)
Ideal nominees would be former club Board members with a passion for tennis and a desire to promote the sport of tennis. They will be required to attend two virtual meetings per year. Please help us locate candidates to keep the West Region vibrant and active.
Regional Club Representatives should be outgoing individuals with the ability to get to know local club leaders. They would be our eyes and ears when recognizing well deserving volunteers and sharing best practices.
Marketing & Communications Director would be asked to create a short quarterly regional newsletter as well as periodically creating content for our regional website.
We would be happy to answer additional questions or talk to interested candidates.
Please submit any written nominations including a short bio mailto:westregion.ota@gmail.com as soon as possible or prior to January 20th, 2021 at the latest.
We do hope to present the survey results at the AGM so please complete this on behalf of your club.
Arthur Wolf & Nancy Loeffler-Caro,
Co-chairs West Region OTA
New article on ONTennis.ca from Scott Langdon: An exhaustive list of tennis media (books & film) and simple exercises to perform... while seated🛋️ Anything we missed? 🤔 Link below + in bio!
🔗: http://ontennis.ca/articles/2021/couchtennis21.html
#AD New OTA partner @ThingsEngraved is pleased to offer a 15% introductory discount on any gift item, including Valentine’s Day gifts at www.thingsengraved.ca . Use promo code LoveTEOTA-15 when ordering.
Things Engraved is Canada’s premier gifting company. It specializes in personalized gifts, such as engraved and embroidered items for all occasions. Happy shopping!
#partnership #giftguide #valentinesday #engravinggifts #shopcanadian
NEW article on ONTennis.ca (Link below ⬇️ ): We take a look at what it’s like to be a tennis official! As competitive tennis grows, there will be more demand than ever. Read about how some of Canada’s most senior officials got started...We also provide insight, guidelines and contact information for anyone who might want to give tennis officiating a try!
🔗 : http://ontennis.ca/articles/2021/GameSetMatch21.html
Enjoy!
Thanks to our communities, @CapitalKidsTennis was nominated under the category of Ottawa's Best Youth Sports Program for the 2021 Ottawa Awards by Faces Magazine (@facesOttawa)!
Voting ends Jan 30th...check out link in bio!
**This program would not have been possible without @ONTrillium @NCTA.ca and @cityofottawa. Thanks to their support, Capital Kids has been able to introduce tennis to kids/teens from diverse Ottawa neighbourhoods in a safe, fun environment. We hope to be back on the court soon. Please stay safe!
NEW article on ONTennis.ca: Competitive Seniors Tennis 🎾Poised for Growth by Scott Langdon
🔗 (Link in bio!)
http://ontennis.ca/articles/2020/competitiveseniors20.html
The latest @ ONTennis.ca 🎾💻 we dive into the history of #Yonex from its beginnings as the Yoneyama Corporation in Japan in the 1950’s to its present-day status as a global sports super-brand! The OTA is proud to welcome Yonex as the Official Racquet and String of the Association.
🔗 Link in bio to read the full story. Enjoy!
Read our latest story from @max_gao in which he talks to pros @rolandgarros - See what @rafaelnadal, @geniebouchard, @petra.kvitova, @denis.shapovalov, & @gabydabrowski have to say about how their lives have changed on and off court during the pandemic.
(Link to story in bio and below 🔗 ) : http://ontennis.ca/articles/2020/pandemicTennis20.html
#tbt As all municipalities now allow doubles play across Ontario, enjoy this backspin read on doubles team chemistry.
🔗 : ontennis.ca/articles/2020/DoubleDreamTeam_2013.html
📸 : @jagphotography
#backspin #getonthecourt
Beloved Canadian tennis star Bruno Agostinelli Jr. passed away tragically in 2016 at the age of 28. His younger brother Gianluca lovingly remembers his brother in this tribute story. Gianluca tells us about Bruno’s wonderful accomplishments as a junior, college and Davis Cup star and about how he inspired the next generation as an elite coach at Tennis Canada. But, more than that, he shares what it meant to be Bruno’s brother and how he was inspired by Bruno in tennis and in life… and still is. After stepping away from the sport, Gianluca was drawn back to it as a way of coming to terms with Bruno’s passing and to feel close to him once again.
Read about Bruno’s incredible legacy: http://ontennis.ca/articles/2020/StringsAttached.html
NEW POD ALERT! 🎙️ In this special edition of the ONTENNIS Podcast presented by Mayfair Clubs, we speak with the OTA’s President and CEO Jim Boyce about the effects of COVID-19 on tennis in the province.
Jim discusses how the tennis landscape has changed since the pandemic and what measures the OTA’s member clubs and their members will face as they attempt to re-open safely.
In a dynamic, ever-changing environment, Jim talks about the OTA’s role, the clubs and academies challenges and the responsibilities and directions outlined by the various levels of government that will shape the way tennis is played as we return to the courts!
To listen to this episode now, visit one of the podcast apps below 🔗: Soundcloud: http://ow.ly/BLdh50zOybL
Apple Podcasts: https://cutt.ly/ZyO9oCj
Stitcher: https://cutt.ly/oyO9pV6
Google Podcasts: https://cutt.ly/wyO9aFP
Congrats to @mattross96 for being last week’s #playtennisathome winner and receiving a gift card from @merchanttennis 🎾
A new winner will be drawn at the end of the week...remember to tag @merchanttennis and @ontariotennisassociation and get those videos in!
Good Luck! (Open to Canadian residents only)
Contest details 🔗: merchantoftennis.com/pages/playing-tennis-at-home-contest
Mayfair Clubs is running a fun colouring contest for you and the kids to showcase your artistic skills & relieve some stress! Five lucky winners will receive a GIANT TENNIS BALL! 🎾
Colouring sheets are created and designed by the talented Carol Gouveia @carolinnegouveia from the Mayfair Clubs marketing team. ***Go to link in @mayfairclubs bio for Contest details and downloadable colouring sheets.
Contest ends May 20th. Happy colouring!🖍