Sep 182015
 

DavidCampbellWith thanks to Dave Macdermid.

Westburn Tennis Centre has appointed a new Head Coach whose remit is to steer the direction of the venue’s coaching programmes and work with Sport Aberdeen to increase the breadth of programmes on offer.

Glaswegian David Campbell joins the centre from Thorn Park, where he worked with several junior national players and before that he was head coach at Drumchapel Tennis Club.

The 24 year old is looking forward to his latest challenge.

“Westburn has huge potential that I’ll be looking to capitalise on and I’m very confident indeed that in the team there and their ability to grow and develop tennis there.”

Sport Aberdeen Tennis Development Officer Matt Kerswell added:

“We’re delighted to have David on board. He’ll take a lead on the development of the coaching team through on-court mentoring and regular support and will manage the centre’s members, including the entering of teams in the local leagues for the first time.

“David will also assist with the marketing and business support relating to the Westburn programme and his appointment will result in a significant enhancement of what the centre will have the ability to deliver going forward.”

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Aug 312012
 

With thanks to Dave Macdermid

The weather was the only winner at the Scottish Disability Sport Lawn Bowls Championships at Westburn Park.
Supported by Sport Aberdeen and Aberdeen Disability Sport, the event has been coming to Aberdeen for over 20 years, with all of the 70 entrants having qualified for the National Championships via regional championships over the summer and travelling from all over Scotland to take part.

Although not a Paralympic sport, bowls will be part of the Para Sport programme at the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games and many of the hopefuls for the Scottish team were present to make the most of top class play.

During the first session there were some outstanding matches and the teams from Lothian, Fife and Aberdeen were looking especially strong.  Players were competing in sections for wheelchair users, visually impaired bowlers, ambulant bowlers with a physical disability and bowlers with a learning disability and, as the competition reached the quarter final stages, a long torrential downpour stopped play for the day.

Disappointingly, the rain kept falling and the games could not resume, resulting in the 2011 Championship Winners retaining their titles for another year until the bowlers convene in Aberdeen for the 2013 Scottish Disability Sport National Championships.

Organisers would like to thank the 25 local bowlers who volunteered their time to act as markers and umpires at the Championship.

Image credit:  Wikimedia Commons. Licence info: File:Bowls%26Kitty.JPG

 

Aug 232012
 

London 2012 Paralympic Games fever comes to Aberdeen this weekend, with some top class sporting action in prospect in the centre of Aberdeen. With thanks to Dave Macdermid.

On Saturday Westburn Park Bowling Centre hosts the Scottish Disability Sport Lawn Bowls Championships.

It is supported by Aberdeen Disability Sport and Sport Aberdeen, with the top 70 bowlers from around the country competing for their respective national titles. Players include members of the Scottish National Squad, ranked second in the world.

Play takes place throughout the day with the finals scheduled for 3.50 p.m. and presentation of prizes at 4.35 p.m.

Westburn’s Indoor Tennis Centre takes centre stage the following day, Sunday, with the inaugural Sport Aberdeen Wheelchair Tennis Tournament, part of the Tennis Foundation Wheelchair Tennis Series.

Four players will play a round robin singles event followed by an exhibition doubles. They are Neil Duncan from Kintore, Richard Craig from Inverurie, David Hogg from Midlothian, and last year’s UK Development Series Champion Keith Thom from Dumfries, who plays at the Winning Wheels Club in Edinburgh.

Andrinne Craig, Disability Sport Regional Manager, believes anyone going along on either day is in for a treat.

“The standard in both the bowling and tennis is extremely high and there are some fantastic games in prospect.

“While bowls is not a Paralympic Sport, it is a para sport at the Commonwealth Games and many of those playing will undoubtedly be at Glasgow 2014. We are also very grateful for the support of 30 local bowlers who volunteer at the event.

“Wheelchair Tennis is a Paralympic sport and Helensburgh’s Gordon Reid will take part in the men’s singles in the Paralympic Games at London 2012, starting on 29th August. Anyone local who is interested can get involved in the weekly coaching at Westburn, every Wednesday between 11 a.m. and noon.”

Entry for spectators at both events is free.

For further information contact Dave Macdermid, dave.macdermid@bigpartnership.co.uk  telephone 07805 436988

Image credit:  Wikimedia Commons. Licence info: File:Bowls%26Kitty.JPG

Jul 052012
 

With thanks to Dave Macdermid. 

This weekend sees the start of the 28th City of Aberdeen North East Tennis Tournament, with a range of events taking place. They cater for all ages, ranging from 9 and under to the over 60s.

The games are being played on the outdoor courts at Aberdeen’s Westburn Park.

Top seed in the Men’s singles is Rubislaw’s Robert Ainsley, who will face either Charlie Barclay (Westhill) or Jamie Ross (Banchory) in his opening match, while Cults player Ewan Birnie, seeded number two, will meet James Kirk (Turriff) or Kristoffer Lynch (DL Aberdeen).

There’s a healthy entry in the Boys 14 and unders where Jason Alexander (Cults) is seeded to play Douglas Tait (Elgin) in the final.

The event, supported by Sport Aberdeen, gets underway on Sunday.

  • For information contact Dave Macdermid on 07710 580148.
Jun 282012
 

With thanks to Dave Macdermid.

The deadline for entries for next month’s 28th City of Aberdeen North East Tennis Championships has been extended until this Friday (29th June) with entry levels already up on last year at 168.

In addition to the open competition, age group events range from Under 9 to Over 60 with juniors and veterans only required for part of the week depending on the age group.

Both of last year’s men’s and women’s singles champions, Matthew Colvin (Stonehaven) and Morven Duff (Cults) return to defend their titles.

Current junior title holders Lucy Whelan (Cults), Adam Irvine (Cults) and Callum Michie (Rubislaw) will also return to the 2012 tournament.

Entry forms for the event, which is supported by Sport Aberdeen, will be available at Westburn Tennis Centre, http://www.aberdeencity.gov.uk/SportAberdeen/events/tennis_tournament/tennis_tournament.asp or online at  www.lta.org.uk using tournament code SCO412

For more  information please contact Dave Macdermid – 07710 580148
dave.macdermid@bigpartnership.co.uk

May 032012
 

With thanks to Dave Macdermid.

This Friday (4th May) is the closing date for entries for the 63rd NESLTA Schools Tennis Tournament, which will take place at the Ruthrieston Centre and Westburn Tennis Centre between the 21st and 26th May.

There are boys and girls singles events at 8, 9, 10, 12, 14, 16 and 18 and Under, with doubles competitions for 14 and 18 and Under. 

The organisers will look to scheduling matches around players’ exam times if they are indicated on the entry form, which can be downloaded from www.granitecitytennis.btik.com

Mar 222012
 

With thanks to Dave Macdermid

With the start of the traditional outdoor tennis season just a few weeks away, entry forms for two of the North East’s long standing tournaments are now available.

The 63rd NESLTA Schools Tournament, which is supported by sportaberdeen, will take place at the Ruthrieston Outdoor Centre and Westburn Tennis Centre between the 21st and 26th May, with competition from age 8 and under through to age 18 and under.

The closing date for entries is Friday 4th May, with entry forms available at: www.granitecitytennis.btik.com

June sees the staging of the Rubislaw NESLTA Confined Tournament between Sunday 10th and Saturday 16th, with four events, namely Men’s and Women’s singles, and boys and girls singles at 16 and under.

The closing date for entries is Sunday 3rd June, with entry forms available at tennis ‘places to play’ throughout the area including Rubislaw LTC.

Mar 152012
 

Dave Macdermid updates Aberdeen Voice on the Glacier Energy Masters U -12  Winter Grand Prix.

Patrick Young consolidated his position as undisputed leader in the inaugural Glacier Energy Masters Under 12 Winter Grand Prix series with victory in the sixth and final event at Westburn Tennis Centre.
In the final, the Stonehaven youngster recovered from the loss of the opening set to edge it 0-4, 4-2, 1-0 (2) over Ross Martin (David Lloyd Aberdeen) in an entertaining match.

In the 3rd/4th place play-off, Rubislaw’s Cameron Edwards defeated his clubmate Conor McMahon 4-2, 4-2.

North East district coach Vikki Paterson was delighted with what will hopefully become an annual series.

“The grand prix has enabled the boys to enjoy regular high-level competition over the winter period and this is something we would wish to build on.”

District President Brian Morgan added.

“The standard of tennis was exceptional and I’m sure those involved will see the benefits of the grand prix going forward. We are indebted to Glacier Energy for their support as without their assistance, quite simply there would have been no event.”

Mar 012012
 

With thanks to Dave Macdermid. 

The inaugural NESLTA ‘Green’ level boys and girls invitational competitions, held at Westburn Tennis Centre, were voted a great success Rubislaw’s Jamie Connell emerging victorious from the eight contestants ahead of runner-up Angus Edwards (Cults), Harrshra Pradeep Kumar (DL Aberdeen) in third and fourth placed Greg Smith (Alford).

In the girl’s final, Rachel Gibson made it a Rubislaw double edging out Amy Spiers (Cults).

District coach Vikki Paterson, who organised the event, was delighted with the standard of tennis on display. “It was extremely competitive with some fantastic tennis on display and all of those who participated said they’d really enjoyed the experience.”

Westburn Tennis Centre also hosted a Tennis Scotland Under 8 Red competition in which Cameron Jappy (Westhill) and Ewan Smith (Westhill/Alford) continued to impress, with Cameron came out of top on this occasion, beating Ewan 7-5, 7-3 in the final.

Benjamin Hine and Sam Walker finished in 3rd and 4th place.

Feb 222012
 

With thanks to Dave Macdermid.

Westburn Tennis Centre was the venue for the first in a series of eleven invitational ‘Orange Matchplay’ events for sixteen young North East tennis players, with those involved being divided into two groups and competing each month.
Jamie Connell (Rubislaw) won the Tier 1 event, with Harrsha Pradeep Kumar (DL Aberdeen) being a very close runner up.

Euan McCleod(Cults) was unbeaten in the Tier 2 event , finishing just ahead of Cameron Sharpe (Westhill).

NESLTA district coach Vikki Paterson, who organised the series of events said:

“The standard of tennis was very good and hopefully over the next 11 months the tennis will continue to improve and we will witness lots of good competitive matches.”

36 year old Aberdonian Jason Barnett reached the semi-finals of both singles and doubles at the ITF World Seniors Individual Championships played in La Jolla, California.

Seeded 5 in the Men’s 35 age group singles, the Scot, now based in Kent, won through four rounds of matches, before finally losing to Benjamin Budziak of Poland at the semi-final stage. Omitted from the GB team which competed in San Diego at the previous week’s World Team Championships, Barnett proved a point by progressing further than any of the other GB players in the individual event.

In the Men’s 35 doubles, Barnett was disappointed to go out at the semi-final stage.   Seeded 2 with England’s Neil Goldsby as partner, the duo lost at the semi-final stage to the Finnish pair of Tapio Nerminen & Ilkke Raikonen 6-4 6-4 in a closely contested match.

Barnett returns to Scotland this week to compete at the Scottish Senior’s Open Championships, an ITF Grade 3 event.  Top seed in the Men’s 35 singles event, he is seeded to meet England’s Mike Ingham in next Sunday’s final, and hopes to retain the title which he won in 2011.

Over 200 players from all over the world will contest 18 events at venues throughout Glasgow this week.    Play starts on Thursday 23rd February, with all finals scheduled for the Scotstoun Leisure Centre, Glasgow on Sunday 26th February.

Scottish players will be hoping to perform well, ahead of this year’s Home Nations’ Seniors Championships, which will be hosted by England at Bolton Arena from 5th – 7th May.