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George Elokobi: On 27th January 2024, minnows Maidstone Utd travelled to Ipswich Town for an FA Cup tie. Ipswich had 78% possession, 38 goal attempts (25 on target), and 11 corners. Maidstone had 2 shots on goal and no corners, but they won the match 2-1. Their manager, George Elokobi, said this afterwards:
When I came into the job, I set out to empower everyone around me, my staff. You know, my staff is me, without them, I'm not able to do what I'm doing. I've empowered every one of my staff, we are very much diverse, in our opinions, and I'll listen. I'm a young manager, I'm still learning. We just wanted to help good people, good players, we treat them as people first, and my staff embodies that for me, and they drive that standard through, and the boys just take it in every single day. When we work, we want them to come in and work, not as jobs but as a hobby, and enjoy themselves, and that's what the environment has been built off.
This touched me, to see someone so connected to the human side of life, and turning that into success and joy in sports. Wouldn't the world be a happier and much better place if everyone was a bit more George Elokobi? Empower people by asking for their thoughts and ideas, understand them by listening properly, and embrace the fact that we always achieve more when we work together and enjoy what we're doing. I've always emphasised building a supportive family community feel at Hawker, and this is a reminder to me why it's so important!
Switch off the little voice in your head!: What is going on when a catchy song you recently listened to is suddenly running through your head? It just happens, we don't initiate it, that little voice in our head, just suddenly decides 'Hey lets recite the lyrics to this song', even if it's an annoying song we don't even like!
I'm not explaining what's going on there, but I do have a simple easy scientifically proven brain hack that you can use to get more control over your inner voice, and in turn have a healthier relationship with it. Follow this link.
Hawker Jets DOUBLE Surrey Junior Team Trophy winners!: Firstly, a big well done to all our juniors who represented Team Hawker this winter season. We value every match, for the experience, camaraderie, and growth opportunities that they all provide.
We had a great end to the winter season, which saw us retain the U18 Boys title, which Tristan and Georgiy won last year! Nicho and Aleks were the main players behind the success of this team. Nicho was also in our U16 team, pairing up both with Ronak (in the league phase) and Oliver (in the knock-outs), and they secured the U16 Boys title! In a great finals day, both teams beat decent Leatherhead sides to give us this great double win, the first time the club has ever been crowned champions in 2 events in the same season!
To see the latest results, and read the latest reports, do check the Hawker Jets page!
Latest individual successes!: Just getting onto the competition court is a big success in itself, well done to all our players who have been doing just that in recent months. I'm currently emphasising helping the players I coach to prioritise their wellbeing on court, so the focus is on them feeling happy and relaxed in the competitive environment, and most importantly finding joy from playing their matches. It's not easy, and of course they want to win, but I know that if we meet those wellbeing goals, they will play better and they will win more!
We're mildly interested in following up an insane 46 LTA official tournament titles from last year, and it's been a decent start to 2024. Francesco and Gusti (from our new U10 squad) have both won their first LTA tournaments, Dora has won a G4 Women's tournament, Oliver has won 3 doubles tournaments, the highlight being the G3 U16 at Wilton where he teamed up with Nicho, and Lucca won a G3 Men's tournament! Monica, Kartik, and Filip have also won tournaments this year.
The 5 MOST POWERFUL things that will fuel rapid progress!: From the very latest scientific research and understanding, from world reknowned psychologist Adam Grant. It's good stuff! Follow this link.
Team Hawker Squads: The squads are currently very healthy, and I'm enjoying doing the best I can for all our players! The emphasis as always, is on developing players as individuals, maximising their potential to perform in competition, and using tennis to aid their development as kind and happy humans. Squad sizes are maximum 8 players on 3 courts. Click the link for more info, and for new enquiries, please contact me directly to arrange a free assessment and chat.
PADEL comes to Hawker!: Our brand new Padel Tennis court will be open and available to book and use from Thursday 16th May. For booking and more information, please visit: https://padelmates.se/club/playtimepadelclubkingstonlondon
Junior Programme: Paul Stow and I work together to deliver the junior programme at Hawker. We are currently working on presenting the overall programme in a clearer way, and this should be completed over the coming weeks. In the meantime, check the link for the latest info on the whole timetable.
Skills & Drills with Nick: Skills & Drills are established classes for players who are competent with serving and rallying with yellow balls, and aged 9+. We focus on key developmental skills, and use a vast array of fun drills to put these into practice. There are class options on Weds 6.30-7.30pm (2 spaces available THIS TERM ONLY), Thurs 5.45-6.45pm (2 spaces), and Friday 4.30-5.30pm (2 spaces). This is 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. Please contact Nick if interested.
Matchplay (Sponsored by Richmond/Sheen Sports): Matchplay is a great opportunity for local juniors who wish to compete regularly and without having to travel too far to gain match experience, and it gives the chance to develop their skills in the match environment. It’s open to players from other venues as well as Hawker, and caters for all levels Yellow ball from age 9 upwards. Please follow the link for more info.
New courts: Our new courts are still looking and playing fantastically 2 years on, and are available to hire 3 days in advance through our Clubspark page.
PAST FEATURES OF THE NEWSLETTER THAT MAY BE OF INTEREST:
Footwork and Timing in tennis EXPLAINED PERFECTLY! (January 2024)
Key ingredients to help a junior get to national level (September 2023)
The secret of Carlos Alcaraz's success! (April 2023)
The ABSOLUTE BEST quote for anyone who wants to achieve success! (January 2023)
BEST sports star interview answer EVER! (September 2022)
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.
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! Videos Index
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!
Racism: Check the link for an ongoing blog which started after the death of George Floyd in May 2020. New: LTA running the Tennis Blacklist Awards for the 2nd year this June.
Adult Tennis - Select 'Adult' filter to see all current courses
Feel free to get in touch about anything at all.
Warmest 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 during this time. 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. through the link below, which is still live in 2024:
Surrey Team Trophy Champions 23/24 in both U18 Boys and U16 Boys!
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