AUTUMN 2021 NEWSLETTER

Compared to ????, Hawker Jets winning 9 out of 10 leagues, and outperforming every other club in Surrey this season, isn't all that important: The answer is: Seeing and feeling the amazing team spirit that exists within Hawker Tennis, and all our Hawker Jets teams!

It takes dedication to know the squad players as individuals and in turn get the best out of them. Also, to give them the experience of working together towards a goal, and the understanding of how next level preparation can lead to insane success. That dedication is a joy, when I see the smiles of success on their faces, and the boost in confidence in their personalities. In a world where modern technology is potentially doing a lot of harm to the younger generation, it’s beautiful to see our Hawker Jets squad players spending so much time outdoors, training, learning, winning, and valuing being part of Hawker Tennis! 

The key stats from a ridiculous season!: A huge well done to all our squad members, 26 of whom played a direct role in our success by being selected for at least one of our team matches.

Leagues: Entered 10, Won 9

Fixtures: Played 29, Won 28

Home record: Played 15, Won 14

Away record: Played 14, Won 14

Singles record: Played 75, Won 60

Doubles record: Played 37, Won 34

Deciding Doubles: Played 5, Won 5

Regular Tie-breaks: Played 9, Won 7

Match Tie-breaks: Played 16, Won 12

Far too many personal highlights and stories from this great season, but if you wish to read the main ones, do check the report on the Hawker Jets page! I will just mention both the away record (undefeated), and the doubles record (34 wins from 37). That's where the team spirit shines through, to perform well in unfamiliar surroundings, and to raise the level even higher when they physically pair up with each other for doubles. I'm sure the specialist doubles training we do also helps :)

Luckily you can learn from wins as well as defeats!: Myself and the players have still learned so much from the experience of this season, and I am already implementing new ideas to make training yet more effective for the new term. 

Individual success: Big well done to Lucca, who won 3 tournaments, including the Grade 3 Woking U12. He also beat a top 25 UK player in his age group, on the way to the semi-finals of the U14's Surrey Champs. Big well done to Tristan for winning his first Men's tournament, despite being still 16! Big well done to our U10 Girls team players, who between them, won 5 tournaments this summer! Gabrielle won 3 tournaments, including a Grade 4, and Sophie won 2 tournaments! Big well done also to Jeremy, who won an all-Hawker final in a Grade 5 U14 event.

Paul's huge success with the junior programme!: Our new coach Paul has been with us for a year, and not an easy year with the pandemic! Nevertheless, he has squads and Matchplays running, and a thriving mini tennis programme from Blue stage through to Yellow and 11+. All 136 places on his group programme are booked for the Autumn Term!

Follow us on Instagram!: Mostly Hawker Jets updates, but some random stuff too! Hawker Tennis on Instagram!

YouTube channel: 60 videos, and though most date from the original Project 2015, they are still fun and relevant! The videos have received over 450,000 views between them!

Tennisplayer.net: I'm an established contributor on this world leading coaching resource site, having written 2 lengthy series of articles, the first in 2016/17 on 1-2 Rhythm, and the latest on Marginal Gains in 2020. There is currently an offer of 30 days free trial to access the whole site!

Thursday Night Tennis (TNT!): A great addition for higher standard players to add to their weekly training, and also a suitable session for competent players who can't commit to tennis, but still want to play each week. TNT has been expanded this term and has a couple of spaces still available, please get in touch if interested.

Hawker Tennis Squads: The success of our players in team and individual competition continues to speak for itself. The squads are very close to capacity, though I always welcome new players to have a free trial, and will be flexible for those showing a high level and a great attitude! Please contact me directly if you're interested. 

Autumn Term Classes: Please follow the link to see the timetable. Please follow this link to join a waiting list for your chosen class in our beginner/improver programme.

Matchplay: Matchplay is a gem for local juniors who wish to compete regularly and without having to travel too far. It’s open to players from other venues as well as Hawker, and caters for all levels.

Richmond/Sheen Sports: You could go to an online retailer, or a budget superstore, and you may save a few pounds, but you won't get better overall value. Here's the best option, pay a visit to RichmondSports or SheenSports!

They are managed by enthusiastic and highly knowledgeable staff, equally passionate about sports as they are about the local community, where they support many local clubs and schools, including ours.

Your individual needs will be met in a way the bigger retailers can't match, in terms of better advice, a more personal service, and a genuine desire to fulfil your sporting needs whatever they may be.

Being part of Hawker Tennis also entitles you to 10% off, so you'll be getting excellent all-round value, whilst helping them to keep helping  us and other local clubs.

Adult Tennis at Hawker information here

Feel free to get in touch about anything at all.
 

Best wishes
Nick

Remembering Joe Horner (it's all too easy to forget, so this memorial will remain on this page. I hope people continue to find enough time to reflect on the growing issue of mental health, especially in younger people): Joe was a regular face at Matchplay during many of his teenage years. He loved coming down to play, to mix with friends and enjoy the special atmosphere. His highlight was winning the 2009 Summer Tournament Doubles.

Sadly, Joe struggled with severe depression from his early 20's, and his mental health largely deteriorated over the last 5 years. He was very open about his problems, and had so much love from family and friends, but tragically in April 2019, he took his own life.

I have very fond memories of Joe, because he really understood what Hawker Tennis was all about, and fully appreicated being part of it even from a young age. He turned into a fine young man, so considerate of others, and always a pleasure to chat to.

After finishing education, Joe worked as a keeper at Chessington Zoo, and then moved on to ZSL at London Zoo. ZSL work worldwide on conservation to help save endangered species, something that was very close to Joe's heart.

For those who knew Joe, perhaps you would like to donate to this cause, or write a few words on his memorial page. Links as follow:

Fundraising Page

Memorial Page