Tennis in the Region

Spring/Summer Fun

Well the spring summer season seems to be finally upon us. We are looking forward to an action packed year all across our great tennis region. We have over 50 events scheduled for this Spring/Summer and of course the NCTA adult mixed team league will be starting shortly (Deadline for team registration for session 1 is May 10, 2012) with teams competing from well over half of our regions clubs. You can find all of the NCTA scheduled events at NCTA  

This year we are partnering with the Noble Tennis School, OAC & OTA to bring Junior tennis to whole new level in our region. One of the biggest things that our young players miss out on is the opportunity to get quality matches under pressure (tournament play). I have personally been attending a junior circuit in Florida with my son for the last five years and a gentleman named Carlos Casely puts on these great 2 day tournaments for all the kids as they get ready to play a major event like Eddie Herr, Americas Cup, or the Orange Bowl.  So we are bringing this exact model to Ottawa this summer. The weekend before the Roman Cup and Ontario Open begins we will start our circuit. The circuit will be for boys and Girls of all levels from U10-U18 with a two match guarantee (weather permitting). We will break on the Friday of the Roman Cup and Ontario Open and start again on the Monday. This will be an OTA sanctioned event and is being promoted across North America. I would register quickly because draw sizes are limited to 16 players. For some of the top older boys and Girls the Kunstadt Open is also available the week after the Ontario Open. Registration for the circuit is on the OAC website. Registration for the Kunstadt Open can be found at Kunstadt Sports

Progressive Tennis Club Program:

The NCTA will be helping clubs promote and leverage progressive tennis to attract and retain more members. We are starting a program that gives your club  back up to $200 dollars in 2012. If you have any questions please contact us at ottawatennis@hotmail.com

NCTA Fee Structure for 2012:

The NCTA funding committee has recommended and the board approved a new fee structure for 2012:

1- No more individual memberships
2- We have three levels of clubs
   

• Small clubs - $75 (up to 4 courts AND fewer than 200 members who operate on a seasonal basis)
• Regular clubs - $150 (5 or more courts or 200 or more members (or both) who operate on a seasonal basis)
• Year round clubs - $300 (all clubs that operate year round programs) regardless of size or membership

Only a few clubs will see any changes at all but if you have a question please feel free to contact ottawatennis@hotmail.com

Talk soon

Second Day Like Rafa Nadal

Just the second day learning to hit left handed. We had some challenges but it is tons of fun for both of us. Little things that we have to watch for again like when I tell him his release reference point on the serve: I have to catch myself from saying the wrong thing because I am so used to saying release at 2:00 and now it is 10:00 on the imaginary clock for the lefty first serve.

The serve was a blast because it is like starting all over again. We really need to break it down and master each piece in the chain because it feels so different for him. Jordan felt like even though he would toss the ball with his right hand his brain was telling him to hurry up because he  has to hit the ball with that same hand (the mind is so powerful). So with each stroke we will create the new motor engrams so he kinetically learns to master each piece. FYI - we are seeing huge footwork improvements because the mind really has to focus on doing the right things to get him lined up and ready before the ball bounces to hit on the left side (pretty cool). I will film that next week... I did not get footwork on film today.

Learning to play like Rafa - Left handed

Having an open mind is crucial for all of us because sometimes life throws opportunities at you and you must simply take them. Follow us over the coming weeks and maybe even months as I teach Jordan Sweeney my son and student to play the game from his left side as his right side goes through the painfully slow Canadian health care system to get fixed. He is currently waiting for an MRI on the right shoulder.

This video is his first day hitting the forehand from the left side - it is short but gives us a starting point.

Straight arm mini court drill

Amazing drill to help learn the feeling in the wrist and also getting the ball out front with a straight arm at contact.

TEDxIowaCity - Dr. Terry Wahls - Minding Your Mitochondria

Powerful:

Myelin Development in the Brain ABC Nightline 09 30 09

Give a top coach the worst kid and in 15 minutes you can see massive change when the right formula is applied to coaching.

Noble Tennis Massive Junior circuit July 28- August 8, 2012 U10-U18

www.courtsidecanada.ca 


This Massive Junior Tournament circuit is for kids of all ages to come and play a ton of tournament matches. 


The circuit is made up of two day tournaments runing over two weeks at the Ottawa Atheletic Club in Ottawa from July 28th to Aug 9th. Plus - the $10 000 Roman Cup (Juniors U12-18) & the $12 000 Ontario Open will be played in between our 3rd & 4th series giving you even more opportunity to play tournament matches.


 Stay tuned for more details that will be posted very soon to our site. Our registration and circuit website will launch March 1st 2012. We will also post weekly video and blog updates so make sure to tell your coach and friends this is the biggest series of Tournaments in Canada and we want to see you here.


FYI: We will have practice courts available both morning and night. We will also have transportation available to and from the event and the official hotels.