Sunday, 15 March 2009 00:00
UK RACKETLON NEWSLETTER

MARCH 2009

The 2009 British Open
 
This year, the 2009 British Open moves to a new & bigger venue. Gosling Sports Park, Welwyn Garden City hosts the FIR World Tour Challenger event, with five courts available for each sport. This is an event not to miss, providing many new players their first opportunity to gain a world ranking. It should also attract some international competitors, with the current strength of the euro exchange rate, good transport links & an excellent on-site hotel. We would also encourage UK players to consider competing on both days, typically by entering singles one day & doubles on the other day. If you don't have a partner for doubles, we will find you one, just enter the relevant 'partner wanted' category. 
 
 
The Hertfordshire Racketlon Open 2009
Event two on the 2009 British tour continued the trend of events being oversubscribed, even with capacity at 100 competitors . The report & a full results spreadsheet, can be found on the 'news' section of the ERA website. If you haven't already done so, please consider registering to the website, especially if you are intending to enter a future event.
 
 
Are you thirsty for more?
Next up is the West Midlands Racketlon Open on Saturday 28th & Sunday 29th March 2009. The event is scheduled to start at 0900hrs on Saturday & finish at 1700hrs on Sunday. All classes will complete in one day, so you can come on either day or both, for example if you want to compete in singles one day & doubles on the other day. Anticipated classes are: 
 
Saturday - Mens A, Mens B, Ladies A, Ladies B, Mens over 55's, Mens B Doubles, Open Under 16's.
Sunday - Mens C, Mens D, Mens Over 45's, Mens Under 21's, Open Under 13's, Mens A Doubles, Mixed Doubles.
 
There is a guarantee of three matches & typically games of 21-up, dependent on entry levels. The event takes place at David Lloyd, Dudley & the entry deadline is Monday 22nd March 2009, although some late entries may be accommodated.
 
If you have not done so already, you will need to register, by selecting the 'Create an account' link & please make sure you complete the second 'player' part of registration before you attempt to register for the tournament via the 'Tournament Entry' page. When you register for the tournament you will also be required to make payment via paypal. If you are unfamiliar with paypal, watch this useful paypal video. If you have any problems with the registration system, or spot site errors, please report them to  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
  
 
YouTube Video's
Racketlon is making it's presence felt on YouTube with already some excellent content. The latest promotional video, "" target="_blank">Racketlon - Join the Racket Revolution", filmed in the UK, hit the site in recent days. If you are members of Digg or Mix please give the video a 'vote' to help get it to a wider audience & if you are a member of a racket club, why not promote it to your members via email or the club website. A depository for all racketlon video's, grouped into playlists, exists on YouTube via the user UK Racketlon Portal.
 
 
CSSC Racketlon
For those that qualify to enter, the CSSC Racketlon Championships will povide a great warm-up event for the British Open. The CSSC event takes place on the18th April 2009 at Redbridge Spots Centre.
Who is entitled to Join? - Anyone who is an employee in a government department or agency, Royal Mail, BT, and other public bodies such as museums, research councils and companies carrying out ex-civil service work and past employees of these organizations who are retired on pension.
 
 
Latest Rankings Out!
The latest UK Rankings, including results from the Hertfordshire Racketlon Open, are now available to download from the 'Rankings' section of the ERA website. The section also includes a summary of the rankings & links to the world rankings, which have also recently been updated.         
 
 
Bradford Racketlon
On Saturday 21st February 2009, Heaton Tennis & Squash Club in Bradford hosted a one day racketlon tournament, which was won by Stephen Mark Denny, who has now entered the West Midlands Racketlon Open. Investigations are now underway to try to consider adding future events to the British tour.
 
 
Hampton Racketlon

On the 7th & 8th March 2009, David Lloyd, Hampton (Amida) held another racketlon tournament, something which appears to have become a regular event, although occurring at different times during the year. It is believed this is a members only event, although we will hopefully be in contact with the organisers to see if there are any opportunities for reciprocal benefits. 
 
 
New Tour Dates

Keep checking the ERA website 'events' section for new tour date confirmations. The latest tour date to be added is Sunday 21st June 2009, a one day event in Ipswich. A list of locations being investigated appears on the ERA website & two new locations, Milton Keynes & Bradford have been added to the list. If you are aware of a venue that might suit a racketlon tournament please email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it with relevant details. Please note that plans for a second yearly event at Redbridge & a Cambridge event, look like slipping back on the calendar, possibly to autumn dates.

 

Finally, if you have any ideas, suggestions, observations, or just want to get involved, please take the time to provide your feedback by replying to this email or by opening up a discussion, using the links below:
 
Official Website of the International Racketlon Federation:
http://www.racketlon.net

Internet Home of International Racketlon since 2001:
http://www.racketlon.com

Official Homepage of the British Racketlon Federation:
http://www.racketlon.co.uk

Official Homepage of the English Racketlon Association:
http://www.englishracketlon.org

Racketlon Video's:
http://video.aol.com/video-search/query/racketlon

Yahoo Sports Group:
http://sports.groups.yahoo.com/group/UK_RACKETLON/

Racketlon Chat:
http://groups.google.com/group/racketlon/topics

UK Racketlon Portal (Facebook):
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=9495401163

Racketlon Fan Page (visible to non-members):
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Racketlon/15258320718

British Rankings:
http://www.englishracketlon.org/?pg=Rankings

World Rankings:
http://www.racketlon.com/rankings.htm
 
Interactive World Rankings: