Hello JV TENNIS PARENTS (and team)! My name is Tim Vandlen (or TV) and it is an HONOR to coach your son this year. I am a first year JV coach but a life-long tennis fanatic including playing at the HS Varsity and Collegiate level. I continue to compete and learn this fantastic sport still today. Last year I was able to work with our wonderful varsity coach Tim Morey and help coach middle school. I am excited to share my passion and help your kids progress this year in JV tennis. THANK YOU for your participation this week and for your commitment this season. We couldn’t do this without great parent support. I look forward to partnering with you in developing your kids in athletics and life. This email will have a lot of info (I promise they will be much briefer in the future). Next Thursday August 20, from 5:30-5:50 at the end of practice we will have a brief but essential parent meeting to go over the season in a bit more detail.
I also come to this new role with 18 years of experience working with students and families at Blythefield Hills Baptist Church. So I care deeply about your sons as young men, not just as athletes. I am also a dad of a freshman on the team so I understand your busy schedules too. PLEASE stop me any time after practice, call or email if you have a concern or question. I am here to serve however I can. Expectations & Goals: 1. We are a TEAM. High fives and encouragement will be abundant. TEAM also means we are all counting on each other to attend ALL practices and matches. Rare are the exceptions and I need to know ahead of time. 2. Bring your BEST EFFORT. That doesn’t mean always winning, but it does mean giving it everything you’ve got on the practice courts as well as matches. We will compete and work hard! We will also have a lot of FUN. 3. CHARACTER & FAITH FORMATION. We will talk a lot about our responsibility to represent Christ in our community. We will be a team of uncompromising integrity, honesty, determination and grace. 4. VARSITY BOUND. My goal is that NEXT YEAR your son will be trying out for a spot on varsity. They will progress this year in the fundamentals, strategy and passion for the game. 5. We will be aligned with Coach Tim’s goals for varsity - Our student-athletes will be technically sound, strategically smart, mentally tough, physically fit, and most importantly, centered in Christ. 6. On the JV level there are NO cuts with one exception - players must be able to serve, rally and score their own matches. Basic Equipment - water bottle, tennis court shoes, quality tennis racquet (talk to coach Tim Morey for more info or visit Brian at Tennis Connection and be sure to tell them coach Tim Morey sent you). THIS WEEK & NEXT Thursday and Friday practices for JV - 3:30-5:30pm (very important for initial rank order on team) Saturday - NO JV PRACTICE Monday - NO JV PRACTICE - Don’t miss the Eagles Extravaganza. It only happens once every 3 years. Catch dinner and some fun before the freshman launch. Tuesday & Wednesday - 3:30-6pm extended practice Thursday 3:30-5:30 practice & 5:30-5:50 parent/player meeting Friday 3:30-5:30 Saturday Aug 22 - FIRST MATCH - 9am-? Mona Shores QUAD invitational (more info coming next week) Match Schedule - Visit the website for latest schedule and maps. You can also subscribe to the calendar to stay up to date which is very helpful. As the season progresses find scores, rosters and photos. Practices - If we don’t have a match, we will be practicing from 3:30-5:30 M-F after school. Students can ride the shuttle after school to the Gainey center. Stay tuned for changes due to weather. Transportation - Parents will need to provide transportation to and from matches WITH THE EXCEPTION of a 1 way trip to the match on September 19 and 28. More info coming the week of. Parent Participation - To make the season awesome for the kids I’m looking for help with snacks/drinks for matches, a photographer or 2 to take high quality photos throughout the season, an assistant (some tennis experience and ability to come to practices and matches), and help with the end of season party. Please let me know how you can help. Team Pictures - a form went home today… we will inform you when the photographer is scheduled. You are not required to purchase but it is a great deal if you would like an affordable high quality photo. At least 3 open spots. If you know of anyone interested in playing JV tennis please send them to Tim Morey or myself quickly. EXTRA CREDIT for players Since we are serious about helping your son progress in tennis, there is a valuable resource I want them to know about. It requires providing a name and email and then you have access to very powerful video tennis instruction. If they complete any one course listed below I will give them a valuable reward in return if they can tell/show me one thing they learned. The site is fuzzyyellowballs.com. There are many videos but these are some of the most basic that I recommend. serve fundamentals footwork fundamentals grips (great for beginners but all would benefit for review) two-handed backhand forehand fundamentals Whew! THATS IT! Please let me know how else I can help. Tim Vandlen | GR Christian JV Coach 616-745-1916 [email protected]
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Coach TVTim Vandlen played tennis in high school and college. He has coached tennis at the middle school & JV level and would label himself as a TENNIS FANATIC. He has worked with kids & families at Blythefield Hills Baptist Church for 20 years. Archives
August 2017
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