In detail, Alex’s stats included:

1. No defaults in 2011 (either given or taken)
2. Small roster size enabled him to play everyone at least twice (most were 4 or 5 times)
3. High percentage of Arlingon (>85%)
4. Team members played in ACTA tournament (plus Chris Armstrong being on board)
5. Appointed co-captain (Hunter Smith)
6. Held many team practices
7. Input scores on time
8. Created a team name
9. Brought new players into league

Please join us in congratulating Alex!

Tom Smith was recognized for his great work as doubles coordinator for 2011.  Besides his exceptional organizational skills, Tom started the Jerry Graf  Captain of the Year Award given to ACTA’s most effective captain.  The award itself gives captains and aspiring captains a good understanding of what is required of a captain.  If you see Tom (pictured on the right with Alex Robertson) give him a pat on the back and tell him he’s always welcome to be ACTA’s doubles coordinator in the future.

ACTA may have the best singles ladder on the Eastern Seaboard and Paul Kiel Smith topped that ladder for 2011.  Paul warmed up last year’s season losing only 8 games in his first 4 matches.   Competition picked up near the end of the season where 2 of Paul’s last three matches were 3 setters.  Props to Gregg Malawer, Paul Omps and Robert Hobart for keeping the top of the ladder competitive and making Paul earn the top prize.  Paul is pictured on the left with Trevor Chan who broke into the ladder’s top 5 in 2011.

Eliana Pint was the highest ranking woman on the ladder. Eliana was also the highest woman in 2010. Wish her luck for a three-peat.

For the second year in a row, Kirk Leach was ACTA’s iron man playing 50 matches in 2011.   For those hoping to win this award, keep in mind that you have to play six or more matches during each month of the season.

Bottled water produces up to 1.5 million tons of plastic waste per year. According to Food and Water Watch, that plastic requires up to 47 million gallons of oil per year to produce. And while the plastic used to bottle beverages is of high quality and in demand by recyclers, over 80 percent of plastic bottles are simply thrown away.  None of the 1.5 M tons of waste belonged to ACTA’s Chris Armstrong.  Chris topped the ladder’s 2011 eco challenge biking or walking to most of his matches and always using non-bottled water.  Thanks Chris and thanks to all who joined in this challenge.   In this competition, we all win.

There will be fun, food, drinks, and tennis all night as well as the much anticipated ACTA awards presentation for 2011. The weather is starting to get warm, but come out and join the fun indoors before we start playing outdoors full-time! 

Arlington Y
3400 13th St N Arlington VA
Saturday, March 31, 2012 at 8:00 PM

Buy tickets here!

Board present:  Trevor, Richard, Matt, Anita, Jacquie, Eric, Alex, Chris, Kim, and Tom

ACTA’s involvement in Girl Scout Katherine Kasischke’s project:  Alex reported that he hadn’t heard from Katherine lately in her efforts to promote tennis in South Arlington through the use of a clinic.  He’ll follow up with her.

10-year capital improvement plan and how to give tennis visibility in the plan:  Alex met with several County people.  Ideas discussed include the County’s partnering with ACTA to increase participation of children in tennis activities, possibly by establishing a league.  Alex will contact Eric who was involved in children’s activities while he worked for the County.  There was also discussion about the Board making recommendations to the County on tennis, but they were not finalized at the meeting.

Winter Social:  Kim reported that plans for the social on February 25 and the annual meeting on March 31 are under way at the Arlington Y.  She reported that there is now a new requirement for a liquor license for each party at the Y when alcohol is served.

Eric will contact Rhonda at the Y to discuss ideas of how the Y and ACTA can enter into a partnership that would be mutually beneficial, including among other things discounts for ACTA members and use of Twitter to announce court availability.

Treasurer’s report:  Trevor circulated profit and loss statements.   If there are any leftover funds, one Board member suggested that they be used for outreach.

It was confirmed that the league’s liability insurance had been paid.  The name on the policy needs to be updated to reflect the new officer responsible -either Trevor or Alex.

Doubles update:  Tom is updating the rules on our website, and will circulate any changes to the Board for comment.  He asked about adding another 5.0 player to A league teams; the individual captains will be canvassed for their views.  The Board also discussed limiting the size of teams, but no decision was taken.

No membership updates were reported.

New ACTA Board members:  The website has been updated with the names of the current officers.  We have one vacancy for the ladders coordinator.

Board present:  Alex, Tom, Trevor, Richard, Umang, Kim, James, Jacquie

Guest:  Eric Samuel

Alex called the meeting to order at 7:30pm and requested the previous month’s Minutes be approved as edited to show that James Henretta was present.  They were approved unanimously.

Kim: Socials

The consensus was not to hold a social in December, since it has not been well attended in the past.  Instead focus on a late January tournament at the Y and the Annual Meeting in March at the Y, which is a social as well as the award ceremony.

Kim will check with Matt and look into possible dates for both January and March events.

Tom: Doubles

Tom will be ordering T-shirts for the finals and will provide the Board with design choices.

Tom advised that the Open League, initiated this Fall, was not a success and has been abandoned.

Re: Rain notification: discussion was had regarding Twitter and providing a direct link/instructions on how to set up Twitter on the Home Page.  In special cases only, Tom has provided a number for people to call.

Clarification of the rules is needed regarding lateness to the second matches.

Players for the 11:30am (Fall) (4:30pm Spring) matches are expected to be at the courts no later than 11:45am (4:45pm Spring) regardless of whether the courts are still in use or not.  After 11:45am the opposing team is entitled to a forfeit. If any other court at the same facility becomes free, players may use that court

Open courts can mean either the reserved courts or adjacent nonreserved courts at the same facility.

Tom proposed a rule regarding the number of forfeits a team can make in a season.

Discussion was held regarding unsportsmanlike behavior.  Tom will follow up on a complaint.

MOTION:  If a team forfeits more than 5 matches in a season that team is ineligible to play in the playoffs.

The motion was carried unanimously.

Umang: Ladder

Discussion was held regarding “bumping”.  Alex has sorted out the software issue.

The Ladder has seen consistent activity throughout the season, the only significant drop being in September due to all the rain.

James: Court Conditions

James reported that there is a plan to improve Tower Courts but the money is not available until 2013.

He also reported that Carver courts are in bad shape.

Lack of numbering of courts continues to be a problem.  Per Alex, the County would allow ACTA to post signs indicating they are sponsored by various businesses.

Alex: General

Discussion was held regarding the YMCA proposal to be sent to all ACTA members.  The current proposal is to offer one month’s free court time for ACTA members who join for a full year paying an inititiation fee and annual membership fee.

Trevor: Financial

Trevor reported $28,672 in Checking and $14,285 in Savings. Payment to the County for the use of the courts in the Fall will be made before year end.

The meeting was adjourned at 9:00pm

Congrats to Joe Young for a great run

Elias and Sherri couldn't be happier about the season

Again, much thanks goes to Tom Smith for another great year!   Close to 500 matches were scheduled and played this season thanks to his dedication and exceptional organizational skills.

Kickin Aces take silver

Check out all our playoff pics and visit us on Facebook.

11/12
1 vs 4: Bluemont 7&8 + Bon Air 1
BrickWall vs. Kickin Ace
10:00 AM: Open1 and Women’s Doubles
11:30 AM: Open2 and Mixed1 and Mixed 2

2 vs 3: Ft Scott 1&2&3
Gold vs. Nguyeners (Anbinder)
10:00 AM: Open1 and Women’s Doubles
11:30 AM: Open2 and Mixed1 and Mixed 2

Bs
11/12
1 vs 4: Gunston Park 1&2&3

Hafer vs. Roberston
10:00 AM: Open #1 and Women’s Doubles
11:30 AM: Mixed1 and Mixed 2 and Open #2

March 10th, 7:00PM – 11:00PM

Sign up to participate in our complimentary match play that evening. (Space is limited so don’t delay, sign up today!)

Call 703-522-1700 or email Rhonda Ballute to register.

Enjoy refreshments in our viewing lounge, while learning the benefits of becoming a member at the YMCA Arlington Tennis & Squash Center. (Those in attendance will be given a special offer if they join that night!)