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september 2024 NEWSLETTER
GOOD VIBES AND POSITIVE ENERGY AS WE START YET ANOTHER NEW ACADEMIC YEAR - BRING IT ON!
National Play Your Way To Wimbledon Men's Doubles Champions!: It's Family, It's Friendship, It's Support, It's Connection, It's what we care about! Tristan and Georgiy left for Uni in September 2023, but have kept close links with the club and our current Team Hawker players.
They wanted to go in for the Men's Doubles event this year (having previously played the U18 doubles in 2022), and they qualified for the national finals quite comfortably to join 23 other qualifiers from around the UK. I committed to be there for every match they played, as did their parents. We were also joined by various friendly faces from Hawker through the event.
They won their two group games, but needed to hold their nerve in the second one as it went to a champs tie-break. In the 1/4 Finals, the boys were playing better, more solid, and with more confidence, and they beat a good pair 6-2 7-5. In the semi-finals later that day, they maintained a good level, and edged a thriller 7-6 5-7 (10-4)!
The key to the final was to stay relaxed and keep enjoying it, and to use the experience of the U18 Doubles final they had lost 2 years earlier. The guys were UNBELIEVABLE! They both played incredibly well from start to finish, and destroyed a decent pair 6-1 6-1, the most one-sided scoreline in the entire competition. It was a classic case of building your level through the event, and then playing your very best when it mattered the most, and it was a real buzz for everyone involved!
Nick's competitive tennis experiment!: In January, I launched a pilot version of a programme designed to teach and support junior tennis players with feeling calm and relaxed under competition pressure so they can play better and enjoy their matches more. It's called TRICT (Totally Relaxed In Competitive Tennis).
In recent years, I have absorbed and continue to absorb a wealth of the latest knowledge and research on human science, to the point I felt ready to launch TRICT amongst a small group of my current students.
Knowing that I myself have a history of being a total nut job on court (confidence issues, not managing nerves, and putting pressure on myself), it suddenly dawned on me that I couldn't be serious about this if I couldn't fix my own issues with it, so in March I hit the tournament circuit with the goal of doing just that! Follow this link for the full story!
Hawker Jets pick up more league titles this summer!: Firstly, a big well done to all our juniors who represented Team Hawker this summer season. We value every match, for the experience, camaraderie, and growth opportunities that they all provide.
Our Premier Division U18 Boys team were defending their title from last year, but were much weakened with Tristan and Georgiy heading to Uni, and Lucca not available. They still gave a great account of themselves in every match, except one where we got totally hammered on some horrible astro courts in Rickmansworth! The current team could potentially stay together for 2 more years, so this was very much the start of a re-building phase at this regional level, and of course we had a great time in the process, and a fun end-of-season pizza celebration with the players and their families.
Elsewhere at County level, our awesome U11 squad won their division quite comfortably, with Franky, Aryan, Gusti, and George all making winning appearances. Our U16 Boys were dominant once again. We win the county U16 Boys division 1 more often than not, but sadly Surrey didn't have enough clubs to run Division 1 this year. We instead had 2 teams at Division 2 level, and won both those divisions thanks to solid performances from Ronak, Kartik, Arian, Thomas, Kaiser, Nicholas, and Janik.
To see the latest results, and read the latest reports, do check the Hawker Jets page!
Latest individual successes!: The junior tournament environment can be a lonely and unforgiving place, but it can also be loads of fun and a source of valuable life skills development! All the same, it's not easy to put yourself out there, and once again I commend all our Team Hawker players who head into this battlefield ready to see what they can do.
Big well done to Oliver who became Surrey U14 Doubles Champion this summer! It was his 8th tournament win of the year, and his Top 50 national ranking sees him knocking on the door of national level for the age group. He also became the first Hawker player to qualify for the main draw of a Tennis Europe event, where he also won his 1st round match.
We also had some more 'first's' since the last update in May. Well done to Filip who won his first Men's tournament, to Ronak who won his first U18's tournament, to Aryan who won his first Grade 4 tournament, and to George who won his first ever LTA tournament, an U11 Grade 5.
Who should take the credit when one of my player's wins a tournament?: The answer is NOT what you might think, and it's very important for players, coaches, and parents to understand this at a deeper level. Follow this link.
Team Hawker Squads: This is where our strongest and most committed junior players can be found. The emphasis as always, is on developing players as individuals, maximising their potential to perform in competition, and using tennis to boost all aspects of their wellbeing. The by product of that continues to be lots of on-court success! Squad sizes are maximum 8 players on 3 courts, except B squad which is 12 players on 3 courts. There are a few spaces for high level players at U11, U14, and U16. 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 is open and available to book and use. Bookings come with free equipment hire if needed. 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, though this hasn't been completed yet. 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 (FULL*), Thurs 5.45-6.45pm (1 space), and Friday 4.30-5.30pm (FULL*). 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.
*Waiting lists for Wednesday and Friday are empty so do enquire if interested. Please contact Nick.
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.
MOST IMPORTANT BOOK RIGHT NOW - If you are even the slightest bit concerned about the effects of smartphones and social media on children and young adults: The book is 'The Anxious Generation' by Jonathon Haidt.
One of the key truths that the book works with, is that many parents of Gen Z kids are over-protecting them from the real world (which is where they learn and develop the skills and social tools to become well rounded adults through exploring their surroundings and interacting face-to-face with other human beings), whilst under-protecting them from the online world (where they are largely denied anything that will help that development, whilst being exposed to things that may directly harm it).
There are subtle reasons why this is happening, and it's clear parents ARE NOT to blame. The book explains it all. It is an extremely good book, it's not the best book ever, which remains 'Stolen Focus' by Johann Hari!
If you're a Johann Hari fan, you may be interested to hear what he said about 'The Anxious Generation':
'Every single parent needs to stop what they're doing and read this book immediately. Jonathan Haidt is the most important psychologist in the world today, and this is the most important book on the topic that's reshaping your child's life right now'.
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:
The 5 MOST POWERFUL things that will fuel rapid progress (May 2024)
How to switch off the little voice in your head (May 2024)
Why teenagers don't listen to their parents EXPLAINED (January 2024)
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, Edit September 2024)
The ABSOLUTE BEST quote for anyone who wants to achieve success! (January 2023)
BEST sports star interview answer EVER! (September 2022, Edit September 2024)
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:
National Champions! - Men's Doubles Play Your Way To Wimbledon 2024