Hamilton Smash!

Remember that old saying : Accept the things you cannot change, while having the courage to change the things you can? Easier said that done, but don’t tell that to Milla Matsko. Milla has a son who plays OTA junior tournaments and found herself doing too much driving from home in St Catharines to events in Toronto. Perhaps this could be changed by having additional tournaments closer to home. Milla could see there were other families in the same boat, such that more tournaments in SouthWest Region would be a service to all. Who will do it? Why not me?

To say this was a substantial challenge is an understatement, and we’ll save the back-story for another time. This account is about how far it has come in less than a year. The first tentative step forward was a single event at Milla’s home club – Niagara-on-the-Lake TC – in May 2024. From that small beginning, a series of successful events were then held on courts at Ridley College, laying the foundation for an ambitious program on the new indoor courts at Rosedale TC throughout the winter.

This culminated in a marathon over the March break, dubbed the Hamilton Smash! The event ran from 8:00am to 8:00pm for 10 days. There were over 300 players registered for 6 tournaments, with a total of 41 draws for young players in categories from U9 through U18 and an adult 5.0 event as well.

Four weeks later, Hamilton Smash did it again, this time with four days over the Easter weekend. A total of 150 young players gathered for U12, U14 and U16 provincial circuit competition. Dozens of families have now discovered Rosedale TC and Hamilton, with very positive comments being received by the club.

Milla is quick to give credit to many supporters and helpers. First among them are David Orde and Mike Kool, Rosedale’s general manager and tennis director respectively. Alongside them is Dominika Zuzanska, who alternates with Milla as on-site tournament manager, and does a fabulous job with all aspects of the role. Milla also has praise for Brian Jaimes, OTA’s tournament manager and the mentor for all new tournament directors.

The events benefitted from the participation of many volunteers, with Karen Duncan taking a lead role in helping players and families feel welcome at her home club. Her enthusiastic support was invaluable on the court, at the registration desk and everywhere in between. Deborah Kiss is a national level official who Milla describes as “perfect”. Danny D’Angelo is training to be a roving official for Tennis Canada and was a big help, as were several members of the McMaster University tennis team : Alexandra Shulkin, Hannah Malus, David Molenda, Ian O’Reilly, George Raymond and Paul Collins. Aaron Ginsberg played a big part by pitching in over Easter weekend.

The on-site activities are preceded by many many hours of preparation. This includes working with the OTA staff to optimize the draws to accommodate as many players as possible, and cycle in players from the waitlist any time another withdraws. There are many cases of tennis balls to be purchased and thousands of dollars in trophies to be ordered and managed. Countless emails are involved in ongoing communication with the parents, and endless last-minute changes and adjustments are required. For Milla, “six impossible things before breakfast” is pretty much routine.

Is it all worthwhile? That’s a question easily answered by anyone who spends a little time as a volunteer or spectator at an OTA junior event. The kids are terrific! Their playing levels are much to be admired, and their preparation and comportment during competition are impressive. They’re clearly enjoying the experience of learning tennis and thriving on the challenges it brings. As one parent commented : “If they can figure out all the ups and downs of tennis, they’ll be able to figure out anything in life.”

Thank you, Milla Matsko!