Holy Name Tennis Club

Over the last two months both Sunday and Has Been Club on Thursday have been lucky to have a visitor from across the ditch playing with us.Brent Leaming from Whangarei in the North Island brought his racquet with him and we have really enjoyed his friendship.To remember his time with us he was presented with a Club shirt which I am sure he will proudly wear on his return home.

Great news today.61 years ago our legend Keith Dighton broke new ground and organised the first Veterans Tennis Tournament in Australia.Since then these events have sprung up everywhere including the very popular Australian Teams event held around the country in January.Sadly some of these tournaments have not received a lot of support in recent years.Toowoomba is very lucky to have the long weekend in October as their spot.Unfortunately the Monday combinded events have not been very successful over recent years.I am pleased that my suggestion of a combinded age team event has been approved by Queensland Seniors.Holy Name Club is proud to sponsor this day and it will known as the Mal Anderson Memorial.He was our greatest supporter.I honestly think it will provide a great even day of tennis.

The showers are coming over the hill so tennis is off tonight.Also the month of July is when we Dont play due to it being cold and it gives me a chance to have a break .I will let you know when we start again.If looking for a game come on Saturday afternoon.

It would be Impossible to enjoy tennis tonight so see you next week.

A very sad day today upon hearing of the passing of one of our greatest supporters ,the great Mal Anderson.Mal’s connection to Holy Name goes way back to the 1960’s when he would conduct coaching clinics.My earliest memory of him was playing an exhibition match against Morrie Guse to open the lights on the courts in 1972.He became a regular visitor to our Christmas Party until his failing health put a stop to it.He proudly said that he considered our club was the best Social Tennis Club in QLD.This photo shows him cutting his birthday cake proudly wearing his Holy Name shirt.REST IN PEACE You will always be a legion.

The meaning of Octogenarian is someone who is still very active and healthy.Ray, Paul and Mick fit this bill easily.To lower the average a little 8 year old Nick joined us.Nick comes from Brisbane for coaching and then joins in for the best form of coaching,playing against good players.

Every Club has one and they all need one.You know the kind of bloke that would not say “boo” to a church mouse but just turns up and helps wherever he can.The Has Beens Club has one of them.Michael Mangos turns up early and winds the nets up so play can start.But he is best known for what he brings for afternoon tea.His grand daughter loves cooking and our players are delighted to enjoy her efforts.Last week I asked him to bring a cake along to celebrate a fellow members big birthday.He let slip that he had recently had that same birthday.When the other player could not make it yesterday rather than sharing the cake Michael was able to celebrate cutting the cake on his own.Another case of the research that shows if you play tennis you live longer and happier lives.

Another long time player gains his Life Membership tomorrow when he celebrates his big birthday.Congratulations Ray Moor and look forward to many more years of great tennis.

Another great season of night tennis came to an end last night with our break -up party.We start again in the first week of September
In the meantime if you are looking for a good social hit Friday night goes ahead as usual.The winners of the three divisions were Hayden Griessen,Amanda Tucker and Michael Leverett.

Today we remembered our long time members and friend Mel Bull..Mel first came to play at Holy Name in 1987.He played his last game on his birthday 16 th October 2023.I am sure he would have been looking down from above and proud of the record number we had playing today.A terrific days play from 27 players.