Junior League Co-ordinators Report for 2011

After a record breaking 2010, all regional clubs plus the private clubs were contacted by email late 2010, as well as some personal phone calls to try and encourage clubs to enter and re-enter  teams. In addition presentations and updates were held at the 2 regional meetings. Our efforts paid off in the largest number of clubs being involved in the history of the league. The number of teams remained the same.

As a result the Boulevard  Club returned to the league as well as the addition of a second full Moore Park  team.  We did lose a second Kew Gardens team as they decided to move up to the inter-county league for their stronger players.

OTA Clubs participating in 2011:

Kew Gardens , Wanless Park (2 teams), SWCPTC, Leaside, Dentonia Park (1.5 teams), Donalda Club, Granite Club, Moore Park (2 teams), Rosedale, Toronto Lawn, Bennington Heights, North Toronto, Boulevard Club.

The league play started early May with 6 regular season matches taking place on Saturdays from 5 to 7 pm. Team schedules were emailed out to all clubs mid April. The format of matches was 12 games played with each game being counted as a point. This ensured that all players served at least 3 times.

This spring brought an unusual amount of rain which caused problems particularly for the clay court clubs. Despite the rainouts and the matches were played where possible. This did bring additional stress to team Captains and more organizing time was required.

All clubs submitted their league fees on time.

T-shirts were distributed to all clubs with the Merchant of Tennis again as a league sponsor.

Due to the increased number of teams in the league this year we were happy to offer our final tournament at three simultaneous sites. 164 participants represented their clubs.

The final tournaments (2 flights & consolation events per site) were held at Moore Park Tennis Club (Under 12 Divisions), SWCPTC (Under 18 Divsions) and at Wanless  Park Tennis Club (both Under  12 & 18 Divisions). Feedback from parents and coaches was very positive about the league and the final event. Arthur Wolf ran the Wanless tournaments, Stephen Wolf ran the Moore tournaments, and Sarah Wolf ran the SWCPT tournaments. Dunlop the official ball of the OTA was used at the tournament. Both Rita Lee and Adrian Baldeo assisted at two different sites during the tournament.

All in all this was again a successful year for the Tennis Toronto Junior League . 

Suggestions for 2012

·        So as to reduce the stress for those running teams at a Regional meeting dedicate a seminar to effective teams management for pros or Captains.

·        Add 2 additional regional clubs to the league

·        Work with Tennis Score in the off season to get our schedule up given the U12 and U18 team concept

·        Acknowledge that U10 tennis is here to stay and consider adding a U10 league (low compression balls, 60 ft courts, etc) either as part of the league or as it’s own league.

·        Encourage/educate clubs to fund and budget for league expenses (coaching, balls, etc) by holding a regional Junior Administrator round table discussion at a Regional Meeting.

·        Increase the leagues presence on the Tennis Toronto website and news releases to the OTA

Arthur Wolf

League Co-ordinator