Does Talent really matter? - An article by a guest writer.

This was a Guest Post by Brenda Panin. Brenda is a web content writer for
http://www.clubcoops.com.au/brisbane-tennis/tennis/
In her free time she loves to blog about healthy life and
extreme sports.
Does talent really matter?

Finding a young talented tennis player among thousands of average juniors
is definitely a challenge. It is not unusual for parents to ask a tennis
coach will their child be a Pro Tennis player one day. Coaches often say
that every aspiring player can become a Pro as long as they work and train
hard. If your child truly wants to be a pro, they must have the dedication
to train and live like one.

Does this mean that most coaches do not necessarily know if a child is
capable of playing at high level? Even knowing that a junior does not have
"the natural gift" for hitting the ball the right way, coaches choose not
to tell.

Lets look at the scientific research about the significance of talent. It
is defined as "something that was said to be given to people, allowing them
to do things average people can't". It is a natural ability that some people
are simply born with. That distinguishes them from all other players and
puts them in the higher league. That means a champion is born with the
necessary talent. You do not get to learn that!

Piotr Unierzyski has a done research project on junior tennis players within
Europe in 1994-2002. During his research, Unierzyski interviewed and tested
1000 juniors from around 40 countries. Among those juniors were Justine Henin,
Roger Federer, Guillermo Coria, Kim Clijsters. The average age of the
children he interviewed was around 12-13.

Here are some interesting facts about this research.

They were all younger, slimmer, more powerful, faster, and had more
experience than the rest of the juniors. They all started joining
tournaments at approximately the same age and played at least 45 matches every
year (below average). The strangest thing about these young players was
that they all practiced tennis less than others. However, they did more
fitness training. The next interesting fact is that their parents were not
very involved in their everyday trainings.

These results show that natural talent is definitely an imperative when it
comes to being a world wide recognizable tennis player. Piotr Unierzyski's
research shows that being devoted to training is not crucial for
success. Thus today's world known players, were allowed to really enjoy
this sport and not to be fed up with it from hard everyday training.
Instead, they were building their mental strength that lead them to the
very top of this popular sport.

East Cork Open Results

Results:

MD 1: Vince Lawton/Rob Murphy V Duncan Cronin/Conor Kelly 6-3, 3-6, 6-3
WD 1: Helen Barrett/Mary McCarthy V Karen Barry/Joanna Riordan 3-6, 6-2, 6-4
MX 1: Joanna Riordan/Rob Murphy V Danielle Geary/Conor Kelly 7-5, 6-4
MD 2: Conor McCarthy/Shazhad Khan Hussain V Derek Lane/Vince Lawton 6-4, 1-6, 6-4
MX 2: Round Robin Winners: Jennifer Haugh/Conor McCarthy
WD 2/3: Mary Power/Linda Quinn V Siobhan Fahy/Carol Leland 4-6, 6-4, 7-5
MD 3: Aidan Cotter/Jeremy Forde V Joe Hanly/Will Hickey 6-3, 7-5
MX 3: Round Robin Winners: Marion Gargan/Jeremy Forde
MD 4: Denis McCarthy/Nigel Smith V John Hewitt/Kevin O Brien 6-3, 6-3
WD 4: Kitty Collins/Trish O Leary V Michelle Kahn/Mary McGarry 7-6, 1-6, 6-4
MX 4: Fiona McCarthy/Ger Russell V Michelle Kahn/Colm McDonagh 2-6, 7-5, 6-4
MD 5: Jack Daly/John Murphy V Robert Ficeri/Martin Sulir 6-3, 7-5
WD 5: Majella Blackburn/Liz O Brien V Angela O Mahony/Lucy Quill 6-2, 5-7, 6-3
MX 5: Roz Crotty/Nigel Smith V Liz Moore/Paul McCarthy 6-2, 6-3
MD 6: Anthony Horgan/Michael Walsh V Denis McCarthy/Liam Wall Ret.
WD 6: Judy Bornemann/Monica Campion V Pamela Bailly/Kay Terry 6-3, 2-6, 7-5
MX 6: Anne O Hea/Jeremy Glennon V Susan O Regan/Frank Moynihan 7-6, 6-4

Babolat Cork Tennis League points
Anne O Hea 5 points
Karen Barry 8 points
Aidan Cotter 8 points
Trish O Leary 8 points
John Murphy 8 points
Liz Moore 3 points

Douglas Senior Singles Open

Results:

MS1: Sam Thompson V Niall Chandler 6-3, 6-2
MS 2: Seamus Flavin V Shazhad Khan Hussain 6-0, 6-4
LS 2: Connie Creed V Jane Daly 6-3, 6-3
MS 3: Shazhad Hussain Khan V John Ryan 3-6, 6-1, 7-6
LS 3: Mairead Neary V Monica Twomey 3-6, 6-3, 6-4
MS 4: Cian Hammond V Daniel Bray 7-6, 6-7, 6-0
LS 4: Ger O Callaghan V Lisa Murphy 6-4, 7-5
MS 5: Brian Hennessy V Ger Rice 4-6, 6-4, 6-4
LS 5: Christina Broderick V Lorna Power 7-5, 6-2
MS 6: Kevin Sheehan V Kevin Nyhan 6-2, 6-2
LS 6: Monica Campion V Anne O Hea 6-4, 1-6, 6-4

Babolat Cork Tennis League points:
Anne O Hea 5 points
Brian Hennessy 9 points

New Articles by Physio Claire Byrne

Two new articles have being added by resident physio Claire Byrne.
In these articles Claire discusses Low Back Pain and a topic that has affected most tennis players, Tennis Elbow.

To read these articles and Claire's previous submissions follow this link.

As always many thanks to Claire for taking the time and effort to put together such informative articles for us all to benefit from.

Don't try this at home!

Whitechurch Tennis Club

New website for one of Cork's up and coming clubs.
www.whitechurchtennis.com
This site gives you all the information you need to get involved in one of the most active clubs in Cork.
Why not click on the link and see what Whitechurch tennis club can offer you

Updated Babolat Cork Tennis League

The following is the updated league table with only a few events remaining.

Women:
Karen Barry - 36 points
Sheila Stokes - 18 points
Anne O Hea - 18 points
Tanya Gargan - 15 points
Maria O Reilly - 11 points
Majella Daly - 5 points
Linda Murphy - 3 points

Men:
Brian Hennessy - 45 points
Aidan Cotter - 21 points
Senan Ahern - 13 points
John Murphy - 11 points.

If anyone feels they have being left out or their scores are incorrect please let me know.

Championships of County Cork - Rushbrooke

MS 1 - Kevin Rea V Eoin McGovern 1-6, 7-5, 6-3
LS 1 - Niamh Coveney V Deirdre Collins 6-1, 6-1
MD 1 - Rob Leahy/Paul Fitzgerald V James Crowe/CJ Kelly 6-0, 6-2
MX 1 - Niamh Coveney/Paul Fitzgerald V Deirdre Collins/James Crowe 6-4, 6-4
MS 2 - Kevin O Keeffe V Conor McCarthy 7-6, 6-2
MD 2 - Mark Hannon/Sam Thompson V Gary Stack/Eddie Ronayne 6-2, 6-4
LD 2 - Clodagh Fitzgerald/Siobhan Murray V Carol Daly/Sinead Power 2-6, 6-2, 6-4
MX 2 - Aine Kiernan/Kevin O Keeffe V Carol Daly/Colin Laffan 7-6, 6-2
MS 3 - John Ryan V Shaz Hussain Khan 6-3, 6-4
MD 3 - Jeremy Forde/Shaz Hussain Khan V Jan Verwey/Eamonn Crotty 6-4, 6-3
MX 3 - Elodie Ruelle/Michael Waldron V Suzanne Hayes/Shaz Hussain Khan 1-6, 6-2, 6-4
MS 4 - Michael Waldron V Vladimir Shevchenko 6-2, 6-2
LS 4 - Lisa Murphy V Siobhan Cronin 6-7, 6-4, 6-3
MD 4 - Senan Ahern/Damien O Donovan V Frank Moynihan/Paul Twomey 6-4, 7-6
LD 4 - Siobhan Cronin/Shirley Kenneally V Kitty Collins/Fiona McCarthy 6-2, 6-4
MX 4 - Val Canny/Gerard Russell V Mary McGarry/Brendan Nolan 6-2, 6-2
MS 5 - Brian Hennessy V Craig Maiden 6-2, 6-3
LS 5 - Cathy Brooks V Catherine Tibbetts 6-3, 6-4
MD 5 - Denis McCarthy/Nigel Parker V Brendan Byrne/Malcolm Willis 5-7, 6-2, 6-3
LD 5 - Fidelma O Brien/Catherine Tibbetts V Katherine/Sheila Daly 6-3, 6-4
MX 5 - Martina O Sullivan/Martin Hurley V Sheila Daly/John Barry 6-3, 6-4
MS 6 - Brendan Lynch V Malcolm Coombes 6-3, 6-2
LS 6 - Tanya Gargan V Tina Holland 1-6, 6-1, 6-4
MD 6 - Mike McCarthy/Conor Shalloe V Colm Allen/Brian Daly 6-3, 6-2
LD 6 - Tina Holland/Anne O Hea V Cathy Duggan/Elizabeth McCarthy 6-2, 2-6, 7-5
MX 6 - Elizabeth/Denis McCarthy V Anne O Hea/Brendan Lynch 3-6, 6-3, 6-3

Babolat Cork Tennis League points:
Anne O Hea 11 points
Tanya Gargan 12 points
Senan Ahern 8 points
Brian Hennessy 12 points

Carrigaline Senior Open Doubles

MD 3 - Jeremy Forde/Leo O Leary V Eoin/Kevin Moynihan 6-0, 6-3
LD 3 - Jesse Morris/Catherine Noonan V Louise/Monica Twomey 6-1, 6-2
MX 3 - Suzanne Hayes/Shaz Hussain Khan V Jesse Morris/Jeremy Forde 6-4, 3-6, 6-3
MD 4 - Aidan McNamara/Michael Waldron V Dermot Carberry/Vincent O Donoghue 6-2, 6-2
LD 4 - Rhea Monkhouse/Ger O Callaghan V Emma Crowley/Jacqui O Mahony 3-6, 7-6, 7-6
MX 4 - Kitty Collins/Brendan Noonan V Sinead McClew/Donal Barry 7-5, 6-3
MD 5 - Denis McCarthy/Nigel Smith V Brendan Lynch/Olan Wixted 6-3, 6-2
LD 5 - Karen Holmes/Sheila Stokes V Siobhan Cronin/Shirley Kenneally 6-2, 1-6, 7-5
MX 5 - Karen Holmes/Jack Daly V Ursula Hogan/Brian Hennessy 3-6, 6-4, 7-6
MD 6 - Mike McCarthy/Conor Shalloe V Stephen Bellis/Michael Murphy 6-4, 6-7, 6-2
LD 6 - Michelle O Connell/Anne Marie O Brien V Cathy Duggan/Elizabeth McCarthy 3-6, 6-1, 6-1
MX 6 - Sarah Hannon/Christopher O Connell V Colette Spicer/Michael Murphy 3-6, 6-3, 6-4

Babolat Cork Tennis League points:
Sheila Stokes 5 points
Brian Hennessy 2 points

Lakewood Open Championships

MX 1/2 - Toni O Keeffe/Frank McDonnell V Karen Barry/Aylmer Barrett 2-6, 6-1, 6-0
MD 1/2 - Alex Coleman/Rob Murphy V Paul Cotter/Joe Donovan 3-6, 6-3, 6-4
MD 3 - Eoin/Kevin Moynihan V Nick Cloke/Shaz Hussain Khan 6-4, 6-4
LD 3 - Emma Crowley/Mairead Neary V Louise/Monica Twomey 6-3, 2-6, 6-2
MX 3 - Monica Twomey/Shaz Hussain Khan V Mairead Neary/Dave Murphy 6-4, 6-4
MD 4 - Ronan Conway/John O Donovan V Senan Ahern/Damien O Donovan 6-2, 4-6, 6-2
LD 4 - Helena O Brien/Joan O Sullivan V Emma Crowley/Aoife Moloney 6-2, 6-3
MX 4 - Kitty Collins/Brendan Noonan V Aoife Moloney/Padraig Mullane 6-0, 6-3
MD 5 - Brian Hennessy/John Murphy V Frank Moynihan/Paul Twomey 6-1, 6-3
LD 5 - Shirley Kenneally/Linda St. Ledger V Liz Brosnan/Mags Cronin
MX 5 - Siobhan Cronin/Christopher O Connell V Susan Whitney/Paul Hogan 6-2, 3-6, 6-3
MD 6\7 - Joe Connell/Ashley Wilson V Tony McCarthy/Michael Murphy w\o
LD 6\7 - Grainne Coleman/Helen McCarthy V Christina Broderick/Rachel Kelly 7-5, 6-1
MX 6\7 - Joan Barry/Derek Burns V Una O Callaghan/Paul Twomey 7-5, 6-4

Babolat Cork Tennis League points:
Karen Barry 3 points
Senan Ahern 5 points
Brian Hennessy 8 points
John Murphy 8 points

West Cork Championships - Argideen Vale

The following are the results of the open events from Argideen Vale.

MS 1 - Niall Casey v Mike Warren 7-6, 2-6, 6-4
WS 1 - Mary Claire McCarthy V Marie Duffy 6-3, 6-2
MD 1 - Rob Murphy / Mike Warren V Aylmer Barrett / Donal Neary 7-5, 6-0
WD 1 - Karen Barry / Joanna O Riordan V Mary Claire McCarthy / Louise Nestor 6-4, 3-6, 6-3
MX 1 - Karen Barry / Rob Murphy V Marie Duffy / Declan Malone 6-2, 6-4

Babolat Cork Tennis League points:
Karen Barry 13 points.

Director of Tennis Position Available

Director of Tennis


Rushbrooke Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club is one of Munster’s largest and prodigious clubs with a great history in National, Provincial and Local tennis. The club has 9 Omni and 2 grass courts with a very active senior and junior membership. We are now looking to appoint a Director of Tennis to lead the coaching and playing element of these plans. We currently have between 6 and 7 hundred all categories of members.

The selected person will be an independent contractor to Rushbrooke Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club and as such will be responsible for his/her own tax affairs and payments. The person will be expected to carry out the tasks detailed in the attached job description. As this is a comprehensive list, it would incumbent on the Director of Tennis to agree with the Committee how much they would provide themselves and how much they would contract to other coaches.

The Director of Tennis will report to the Club Committee on a monthly basis and work closely with both the Tennis and Junior Committees and individual Committee members on a day to day basis.

All clubs have unique features and Rushbrooke has a history of providing an inclusive Junior Coaching programme and Summer Programme and how this is either continued or replaced would need to be agreed with the Committee as a priority.

The Director of Tennis will be responsible for appointing all additional coaches, in conjunction with the Committee, and monitoring their performance. The role will therefore call for experience and ability in managing other coaches.

We see this as a key appointment within the development of the Club and therefore we are looking for an experienced, highly qualified coach who has continued to update their skills and who can work well with a varied group of stakeholders.

Additional skills that can be considered requirements are computer literacy, punctuality, reliability and a personable manner.

Remuneration and terms and conditions of employment will be discussed at interview. Remuneration will reflect the importance of this position. We are willing to be flexible in any employment contract but we would need to be convinced that any prospective Director of Tennis would commit a satisfactory amount of time to the role.

The appointment will commence in early September or at such later date is agreed. Applicants should enclose a comprehensive CV and give the name of two relevant referees who would not be approached until a contract was offered.

All applications should be sent to the Chairman Rushbrooke Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club Cobh Co. Cork or Emailed to tennis@rushbrooketennis.ielater than Friday 24th of August 2012.

Director of Tennis


Job Description

1. To plan and implement a Tennis Development Strategy with Committee, Sub Committees and Coaches

1.1 Present to and agree with the Committee a Rolling 5 year Tennis Development Plan, to be reviewed and updated each year.

1.2 Work with Coaches in planning and organising an integrated training programme for all age and ability groups.

1.3 To work with the Committee and Coaches to develop a culture of improvement amongst the members.

1.4 To investigate and implement policy with regard to Play & Stay, Cardio Tennis, ITN and other programmes

2. Develop a Junior Programme with the Junior Committee and Coaches that

2.1 Addresses the needs of the Club as well as the individual.

2.2 Segregates, in time and space, age and/or ability groups.

2.3 Concentrates heavily on Tennis and Child Safety.

2.4 Gives time and resources to those who want to improve.

2.5 Specifically produce proposals for a Summer Programme and implement any agreed plan.

3. Senior Competitive Tennis and Events with Tennis Committee

3.1 Develop a Coaching and Training programme for League Teams.

3.2 Develop the Club Championships, Handicaps and other Competitive events within the Club.

3.3 Work with coaches to provide programmes to improve the coaching that Rushbrooke offers to competitive players.

3.4 Develop greater formal and informal competition.

4. Develop Recreational Tennis for our Members with Tennis and Social Committees

4.1 Organise the Coaches to offer group and individual coaching.

4.2 Develop and ensure implementation of an expansion in the programmes we offer to recreational players via such concepts as Cardio Tennis, Play & Stay, ITN Assessments etc.

4.3 Work with the Sub Committees and coaches to encourage participation via on-court and club activities.

5. Club and Coach Continuous Professional Development with Tennis Ireland

5.1 Review the development of all coaches and ensure that they are using best practice in the course of their work.

5.2 Work with the Munster Branch and Tennis Ireland to ensure that Rushbrooke is offering the best possible programmes to all age groups.

5.3 Research development of internal competition nationally and internationally and implement agreed proposals.

6. Management of the Programme with the Club Committee

6.1 Appoint, manage and motivate coaches.

6.2 Ensure that coaches update their skills as required.

6.3 Recruit and manage new coaches where required for specific duties

6.4 To agree with the coaches times of work and division of private coaching where this is an issue.