Challenge Events

 

Although members of Tennis Seniors NSW participate in regular team competitions, such as the NSW Hardcourt Interdistrict competition, the following events are conducted on an annual basis and have become very popular with our members.

Springwood Challenge - November each year

This is a “very serious social event”!! Held at Springwood Tennis Club, six teams of men and four teams of women (all four to a team) play against teams formed from the Springwood Club members, who are mostly not seniors. Each team plays 8 sets, with each player getting 4 sets. Two sets are played against one pair, and then two sets against the other pair.

The Springwood club provides morning tea and lunch in a very convivial atmosphere, with the venue adding to the ambience of the occasion.

The teams are graded, without regard to age, so this is a unique event in our calendar. The results for all matches are pooled and the overall result determines who holds the “J. S. Pryor Shield” for the next year.

John Pryor MBE, a former town clerk of Katoomba Municipal Council, was a member of Tennis Veterans (as it was then called.) He represented Australia in 1985 at an early World Championships. It was he, who initiated this challenge.

 

Mixed Teams' Event - Newcastle, June

From 2006, this event has been resurrected, to give players a wonderful weekend of tennis that is competitive, but FUN. Teams are entered by individual members who want to have a weekend with their friends. Graded into compatible groups based on standard rather than age, means that players can participate with those of their own or similar ability. Winners are those who play the best tennis on the day!  There are FIVE sessions scheduled over the two and a half days, starting at the very 'civilised' time of 9.30am each day. Each session lasts for three hours and consists of 8 sets - 2 Men's Doubles, 2 Women's Doubles and 4 Mixed. Groups are limited to a maximum of 6 teams, which gives each team 5 matches. Each afternoon session is completed by 4.30pm, and players are encouraged to stay for "Happy Hour" especially on the Sunday evening, which is followed by a Dinner Dance. Team progress scores are announced, and players can "bop till they drop" to the music in the Jukebox, or go home to bed at a reasonable hour, to prepare for the final session on Monday. Presentations are all completed by 1.00pm, which allows travellers to beat the traffic.

See the Report on the 2009 event - Click HERE

Tri–State Challenge

The Mildura Tournament, held over the Melbourne Cup weekend in November, attracts a lot of players from NSW, Vic and SA. At the conclusion of the tournament, the three States each select 16 men and 16 women to take part in a three way contest over two days.

This teams event is so popular that some players from Victoria and SA, who have not played in the tournament, travel to Mildura just for this event!

In a magnificent setting with 30 real grass courts on the banks of the Murray River, it is an experience not to be missed. NSW organises a coach trip to overcome the long distance of travel and many of those who have been on “the Coach” return year after year.

The Tri-State challenge is preceded by the Mildura Knockout tournament from Sunday to Tuesday (Melbourne Cup day).

 

Ken Taylor's
Memories of Tri–State

Ray Stock and I started a challenge match each year between NSW and Victoria. Originally they were between Vic. and NSW and I moved them each year so we played in Yarrawonga, Albury and Swan Hill for about three years. This was to bring the idea of veterans’ tennis to the country and hopefully encourage new clubs and increased membership.
Then SA wanted to get involved as they already had a match annually with Vic. Mildura was approached to see if the games could be played in Mildura after the tournament was over so that SA didn't have to travel any further than necessary. They agreed and so it became part of a week of tennis at Mildura.
I previously had a problem getting enough players for the NSW / Vic. matches so I had the brainwave to take a coach and on the way home from Mildura play the NSW / Vic. matches. This ensured that I had plenty of players and solved my problem. The coach still goes each year and I think it has brought a lot of the players into a closer relationship. I got to know a lot of people who I had previously only had a nodding acquaintance with.
I never kept any records for the period I was involved and I'm not sure Ray did either. The emphasis was always on enjoying the tennis and comradeship. During the time I was involved we had very close matches. Ray and I would try to get players from all levels so that as many as possible played and hopefully the result would be close. I recall one match at Yarrawonga when the last set was the decider and it was played by the O/80 pairs. I know John Pryor (now deceased) was one of our players and they won the set in a tie break and the match for NSW. All of the players were around the court to cheer and watch them play.