2012 Phil LeBlanc Memorial Tournament and Kickoff Barbecue

Hello Barrhaven Tennis Club Members,

 

Sign-up sheets will be posted by this weekend for this year's fourth annual Phil LeBlanc Memorial Tennis Tournament which will be taking place on July 22nd-29th with a kickoff barbecue on July 21st from 5:30-8:30. 

 

The previous two tournaments have been a great success due in large part to you the members of the Barrhaven Tennis Club.  We have been able to raise $4500 over the past three years to the Phil LeBlanc Memorial Fund (fund created by the Community Foundation of Ottawa).  The tournament has also showcased some great matches as we have had 32 entrants in the tournament each of the past three years.  We are hoping that this success will continue through to this year's tournament. 

 

Here is some information on the tennis tournament:

 

·        Ages 18+

·        Best 2 of 3 Sets

·        Guaranteed Two Matches

·        Tennis Balls Will be provided

·        Free Drinks Provided by Family Physiotherapy

·        There will be no Entry Fee for Members

·        If Draw is not filled a week prior to deadline, tournament will be open to non-members

·        Non-Members must pay an entry fee of $15.00 which will be given to the Phil LeBlanc Memorial Fund

·        We welcome donations for The Phil LeBlanc Memorial Fund (tax receipts, where applicable, will be mailed by the Community Foundation of Ottawa)

·        Prizes for Champion, Runner-Up, Third Place and Consolation Winner

·        Deadline for Entry July 7^th

·        Bracket will be posted on Club Website (www.barrhaventennisclub.com) July 11^th; go to Calendar & Events Page and scroll down to Current Tournaments Section

·        Schedule of matches will be posted on the website in the Welcome Page Latest News Section July 11^th

·        Feel free to visit the club website throughout the tournament to get up to date scores and scheduled times (in the event of inclement weather)

In addition, here is some information on the kickoff barbecue that will be taking place on July 21st:

·       Special Events Day to Kick-Off Tennis Tournament from July 22nd-29th

·       Open to Public

·       Exhibition Mixed Doubles Match that includes Samir Bhatnager (2010 & 2011 PLMT Champion), Aneeka Bhalla (2011 Barrhaven Mixed Doubles Champion), Sophie Lefebvre (West Ottawa Tennis Club Mixed Doubles Champion 2010 & 2011) and John Payette (2010 & 2011 PLMT Runner-Up)

- Exhibition Singles Tie-breaker (Opponents To Be Determined)

·       Food provided by Loblaws

·       Friendly Competitions and Door Prizes to be won

·       Prizes provided by National Tennis School, Tommy & Lefebvre, San Marino's and many others

·       $5.00 admission fee covers hamburger/hotdog/veggie burger, drink and raffle ticket to various prizes

·       Proceeds from Barbecue to be donated to Phil LeBlanc Memorial Fund

·       Deadline for Sign-Up is July 4th (numbers are required for Loblaws)

When signing up to attend the barbecue, please ensure that you provide the number of people from your family that will be attending along with any dietary concerns (i.e. vegetarian, peanut allergies). 

We would like to get as accurate a number of people attending so that we can provide enough food for the barbecue.

As well, some additional blog posts will be sent in the next few days to provide information on merchandise that we will be selling in anticipation for the tennis tournament as well as a schedule highlighting the new events that will be taking place throughout the week of the tournament. 

Finally, should you have any additional inquiries, or you cannot make it to the clubhouse before the deadline to sign-up for either event and would still like to attend, please contact me at 613-435-5181 (Home), 613-291-7459 (Cell) or contact me by e-mail at leblanc.patrick16@gmail.com

Thank you and I hope to see everyone at the kickoff barbecue and throughout the Phil LeBlanc Memorial Tournament to watch some exciting action.

Regards,

Patrick LeBlanc

Juniors and Tournament Co-ordinator

Barrhaven Tennis Club

Scheduling Change for Next Two Weeks for Junior Social

Attention BTC Juniors and Parents,

There will be some scheduling changes in the next two weeks regarding the Sunday Junior Socials.  Unfortunately, this week's junior social will be cancelled as myself along with my volunteers will be out of town.  However, I will book some court should any juniors would like to come down to the courts and play.  I will also leave some unopened cans of tennis balls should you wish to use them (limited quantity so first come first serve).

The following weekend in replacement of the junior social, the Barrhaven Tennis Club will be hosting it's annual Johnny Loucks Free Tennis Day from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM.  The event is a lot of fun as kids will be taking part in games and drills.  We will wrap up the day with a free barbecue.  More information will be posted later on this event.

Hope everyone has a great long weekend and I will see you in two weeks time!

Regards,
Patrick LeBlanc
Junior Co-ordinator

Recap of Opening Barrhaven Tennis Club Social

Last weekend the Barrhaven Tennis Club had it's opening social event.  Tommy and Lefebvre was on hand to allow members to demo some of the newest models of tennis rackets available.

In addition, members of the Barrhaven Tennis Club were treated to an exciting exhibition match pitting John Payette against Malik Bhatnagar.  Malik had just recently returned from a successful showing in the Nationals were he made the semi-finals in doubles and also finished 11th in singles defeating  some very strong opponents. Youth prevailed in the exhibition as Malik would take the match in straight sets 6-3, 6-3.

Following the exhibition match, Malik was treated to a wonderful surprise as Tommy and Lefebvre was proud to offer Malik a brand new snowboard!!!

The Bhatnagar family would like to thank those who turned out to the event as it provided a great atmosphere to the match. They would also like to thank the Barrhaven executive along with Tommy and Lefebvre for the wonderful donations and contributions they have provided.  Finally, the Bhatnagar family would also like to thank Tom Malone for his continued assistance and friendship with respect to Malik's tennis.  There are a few pictures displayed below.  This is certainly a great start to this year's tennis season!

Reminder: Opening Social and Special Event May.5th

Dear BTC Members,

We have some exciting news. As some of you may know, 12-year old Malik Bhatnagar of the Barrhaven Tennis Club played in the Nationals in Vancouver in March 2012. He upset two seeds and his only losses were both tight three setters against much higher ranked and seeded players. Malik finished 11th over all out of 40 kids - the majority of whom will be moving on to U16. (see below for more details on Malik).

The Barrhaven Tennis Club would like to recognize Malik’s achievements by hosting, in partnership with Tommy and Lefebvre (TANDL), a special event on 5 May. TANDL staff will kick off the event at 10:00hrs with demo racquets which members can try out on the courts. Tommy and Lefebvre expert staff will be available until 2pm to discuss the right racquet and string for your game.

The main event of the day will begin at 12:30 when Malik Bhatnagar will take to the courts against John Payette, the finalist in last year’s Phil Leblanc Memorial Tournament. 

The event will conclude with presentations to Malik by TANDL and the BTC for his great achievement.

I hope you can all join us for this special day to watch a rising Canadian tennis star from our own little Barrhaven Tennis Club.

More on Malik Bhatnagar

Malik is currently ranked 9^th in Ontario and 13^th nationally in boys U14.

Malik trained this past winter at Carleton University. His father, Samir Bhatnagar, former BTC and Phil Leblanc Memorial tennis champion, is his coach. 

Last summer, Malik qualified for the Boys under 12 Nationals that were held in Mont   Tremblant. 

This past winter, he travelled to Florida and played in the Eddie Herr International tournament at the famous Bolleteri Tennis Academy, where he reached the 3^rd round before losing to the 6^th seed from Iran.  He finished the year ranked 7^th in the province in boys U12 and Wilson recognized his achievement with a sponsorship that included tennis racquets, string and equipment. 

In March, Malik qualified for the Boys U14 OTA indoor provincial championships.  Malik and his doubles partner defeated the first seeds in the finals 6-0, 6-2 and qualified for the Nationals in Vancouver in April.  At the Nationals, Malik and his partner made it to the semi-finals and in the singles event, Malik finished 11^th overall, defeating two seeded players and nearly upsetting two other top seeds. 

Malik also credits the many adult and junior members that have supported his game by playing matches and practising with him the past two summers.

More on Tommy and Lefevbre

In December 2011, Tommy and Lefebvre opened their newest store in Barrhaven at 3777 Strandherd drive, near Future Shop.  Tommy and Lefebvre is now conveniently located for all your tennis needs.

Regards,

The Barrhaven Tennis Club Executive