sign in sign up
<<
Home , Jean Borotra, Onny Parun, Paul McNamee, Rod Laver

February 2016

President Des Shaw [email protected] Morning Teas in January Hon. Treasurer Paul Thomson [email protected] Date for 60th Anniversary AGM and Dinner. Hon. Secretary Angela Hart [email protected] Obituary Peter Gardner Golf Day Editor Cecilie McIntyre [email protected] ’s NZ visit Link to IC Council website www.ictennis.net ‘s IC Award Drop Shots

Morning Tea Reports The two morning teas on the Mondays of both International Tournaments were very well attended as usual. President Des Shaw and Brent Robinson, CEO of Auckland spoke at both, with Brent outlining the future plans for a roof over the and replacement of the two 60 year old stands. These are the Redwood (Named after Heather Robson’s

parents) and the Robinson Stand, named after Selwyn Robinson another wonderful benefactor to Auckland Tennis. Those of you who have Pam Sowter’s 125 Years History of Auckland Tennis can read about the fundraising which started in 1958 with the opening ceremony in 2013. Pages 47-53. With the courts still being grass, the Centre was known as Little Wimbledon of the South Pacific. The Gates at the corner were presented by 2 families still involved with tennis, the Pascoe’s and Johns. Graham Johns is still an Hon Member of our IC. Jeff and Brent Back to the present…. Tennis Auckland President this year is Don Cotter, who spoke about ball-balling for our Patron Jeff Robson and recalling that each time Jeff said ‘Thank You”. Members from out of Auckland included Ruia Morrison, Betty Knight (Nelson) Pat Guiney, Ethne Mitchell, Bev Billington, Liz Odgers , Sheryl Duffy-York, and from US Paul Smith. Another visitor from USA was for- mer Auckland player David Mitchell and his wife Poppy. Paul , Des and Don Terry Redvers from the Canadian IC was back visiting family and came to both morning teas.

1 More Morning Tea photos

Up from Wellington, Betty Knight (Nelson) first played Ruia in a Junior tournament in 1950 and toured in the NZ Senior team with her in 1956 .

Former Committee member David Lewis was back with his daughter Jade, NZ’s top Junior ranked player who pushed Laura Davis to 6/4 in the 3rd in qualifying.

2 60th AGM with Dinner Bowls etc SUNDAY 17th April. 5.30 pm Last year members enjoyed the new facilities at the Carlton Cornwall Bowling Club which is centrally located with plenty of parking. The AGM part lasts less than half an hour then a mix and mingle before the Dinner which is a great chance to catch up with old tennis friends. We had a very enjoyable hour playing bowls on the Greens by the clubhouse and several members have asked that we do it again. This will start at 4 pm, all welcome to try. Bowls will be supplied, you just need flat soles (jandals will do) and can stay in your other clothes! Several new members and Honorary members will soon be approved for invitation and we hope they will accept and be able to attend to receive their ties or badges. More details will be sent. We are not asking for payment just yet but hope you will note the April date and make an effort to attend. Partners are very welcome and particularly our friends from Northland, Waikato and Bay of Plenty who are not too far from Auckland as well as newish members who have joined in the last few years. Judy Davidson is planning to come up from Christchurch.

OBITUARY Peter Gardner. We are sorry to report the passing of Committee Member and former IC Hon Secretary Peter Gardner in late December. Peter was involved in many ways with tennis in Auckland over the years. From 1979 -1983 he was on the Tennis Auckland Management Committee and for 10 years from 1979 was the Tournament Director of the International Tourna- ment which preceded the outstanding one we have today. It was known as the Benson & Hedges then and always had the top Peter (right) in 2012 Australian players competing. with Don Moore, who In the 2002-3 season Peter was President of Tennis Auckland. also died recently. He was also a Life Member and Past president of the Parnell Tennis Club. His sporting interests included rugby and for many years he was the announcer at Eden Park as well as Auckland Tennis, and was often heard on radio sporting programmes. A very large memorial occasion was held at the Parnell Tennis Club. *********************************************** Ivan Bignell We are also very sorry to record the passing of Jill’s husband Ivan. Ivan enjoyed many tours and occasions with us and will be sadly missed .

3 Future Tours Regrettably the expected visit from USA IC has not gone ahead, but Dan Waldman the President is visiting on his way back from . Plans for the IC Luxembourg group of 19 are well underway though. This will be early April. They hope to have 2 nights in Rotorua then back to Auckland to play our team on the 7th or 8th of April. ***************** Golf Day The 6th annual IC and Tennis Auckland Golf Day was held at Whitford Park Golf Club just prior to Christmas 20 players came together for a friendly Ambrose golf tourna- ment. A fun day of golf fol- lowed by food and beverages was enjoyed by all.

For those interested in being a part of this event in 2016 please contact James Greenhalgh email [email protected]

Onny , Jeff & Heather and Barry with Ken and Wilma Rosewall. Last month Ken and Wilma Rosewall visited several cities while on a cruise around New Zealand. They met with Jeff and Heather Robson and Barry Ryder in Auckland and in Wellington. Onny recalls………The last time he played in Wellington was 1962 and I was his ball boy in his match v , …. at Central Park, now The Renouf Centre. Jeff and Heather and Barry were delighted to have the chance to spend time reminiscing as Jeff and Ken go back a long way. They took them around the harbour areas and enjoyed lunch at St Heliers. Ken played a series of exhibition matches in NZ in 1957. They had great weather, even across the Tasman on the way home.

4 Rod Laver AC wins The IC CQS Sportsmanship Award 2016 In the last newsletter I made reference to this award, won last year by , with a link to a short video showing the making of the trophies by Italian sculptor Nicola Lazzari. Rod Laver felt like he was at home amongst friends and fellow players at the IC of Australia Annual Lunch, when Paul McNamee, the President of IC Australia, presented the only repeat winner of the with the IC Jean Borotra CQS Sportsmanship Award. "It's a great honour to receive this award from the International Club" said Rod, "just listening to the introductions of those people here today, it is like a homecoming for me. I know so many of you." The article above can be read in full by clicking on the heading . Rod mentions playing with Jean Borotra after whom the IC Sportsmanship Trophy is named. There is also an interesting piece from Paul’s speech about the distribution of prize money in tournaments which may be leading to the temptation to agree to fix matches at a lower level, which is under discussion recently and which MUST be stamped out.

Frank Sedgman, Rod Laver and Paul McNamee

To our younger Members: It is this sort of history which we older members hope you will appreciate by being invited to become Members of the International Tennis Club of New Zealand. The friendships made which can be continued long after you have finished your playing days are THE KEY to the IC Movement in 40 countries around the world.

Please help to continue this tradition.

This week we have heard that one of our younger Touring Members , along with partner Mate Pavic have won their second ATP Tour Doubles titlethis year. After winning the final in Auckland they have won the Montpellier Open in the south of France. Last year Artem and Marcus won this title.

5 Drop Shots Quotes from the It was perhaps perfectly fitting that ’s final loss came at the hands of a player exhibiting all the traits that have defined the Australian’s storied career. Under lights at , David Ferrer banished Hewitt from the tournament with a clinical 6-2 6-4 6-4 second-round victory, thus drawing the curtain on a career that featured two Grand Slam titles, the world No.1 ranking and a staggering 20 consecutive Australian Open appearances. The moments that followed Hewitt’s final , which landed wide of the sideline, were touching. At the net, Ferrer intimated to Hewitt that he wished to swap shirts. Hewitt gave an emotional speech thanking fans for their support, before being joined on court by his three children. Legends and contemporaries , and provided heart -felt video messages that were beamed into the area. Nadal described him as an inspiration. Murray said Hewitt was an idol of his when he was growing up.

Angelique Kerber stunned top seed in a riveting Final. Kerber's decisions over the past year regarding her career should provide a template for so many other players like her to strive for something bigger. The defensive- minded players who often hold back for fear of making the killing mistake, hoping for an opponent to lose while never trying EVERYTHING to actually win, now have someone whose accomplishments can be pointed toward for inspiration. As we saw in this final, a dash of in-match aggression can put a speedy player with the ability to get every ball back an extra ultra-important and title-deciding advantage, especially if her opponent isn't having an "all-time" day, and ultimately contributes to the overall flow of the match turning in her direction as the pressure mounts on the other side of the net. It happened on Saturday night, as Kerber's game rose and Williams' was unable to follow her. Given more time, Serena may well have turned things around. Kerber didn't offer her such opportunity.

If you would like to read more click on this. Nick McCarvel for USA Today puts the magni- tude of Kerber's win into perspective:

To read any of the last few newsletters Don’t forget to note the date of our 2016 Annual Dinner click the date. Sunday 17th April. December 2015 September

Contributions to the next newsletter are welcome anytime. 2015 July 2015 May 2015

For the committee Cecilie [email protected]

6