Sunnyvale, California Since 1994
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Fremont tennis strings along Players get $3,600 in community assistance By Jana Seshadri Despite only a few tennis balls, old and worn rackets, a broken ball machine and no uniforms, the Fremont High School tennis team—the Fiebirds—almost made it to first place in the league last year under Coach Richard Newman's perseverance and training. But, it isn't quite game, set and match for the team yet. "Other school teams have a lot more than we have," Newman said. "We don't even have tennis balls for the games—some of the balls look like the dog dragged them in." But what the team does have is about 50 skilled teenaged boys and girls, enthusiastic about playing tennis and winning. And Coach Rick, as he is called, is doing his best to remedy the financial situation with his fundraising quest. The tennis party fundraiser on July 20 at the Las Palmas Tennis Center went well according to Newman, who organized it to gain more support and visibility in the community for his team. All the 16 courts at the center were opened up for the more than 120 community members, who showed up to play tennis from 4 to 9 p.m. on July 22. Cash and check donations were accepted although it was strictly optional. "We raised $3,600 during the fundraiser," Newman said. "But the key here is really not the moneyÑit's for all these 50 kids to see how the community came together." Tennis enthusiasts of different ages demonstrated their support for the Firebirds by teaming up with their friends, sometimes having to wait for a court to open up. "I think its great," said Jay Young, who has been a Sunnyvale resident for 20 years. "This involves parents, kids and the whole community." Although he is not a FHS parent, Young said he came out to support the team and the game. "It's good that Rick is doing this," said Dolly Lau, who has two sonsÑBrian, a junior, and Jeffrey, a seniorÑon the team. "The team has no money, and a lot of times Rick spends out of his own pocket for the team." Lau said she helps Rick out any way she can by driving the kids around for the games and practices. Lauwith help from several other parents, also helped organize the dinner for the fundraiser. "I'm very proud of the kids," Newman said. Having coached at the Las Palmas Tennis Center ever since it opened on Sunnyvale-Saratoga Road in 1976, Newman became coach of the Fremont tennis team a little over two years ago. He had coached at Sunnyvale Middle School for two years prior. "I've had two seasons with the boys at Fremont, and this is my second year with the girls team," he explained. He said he began his coaching stint at Fremont when the team was at its very lowest point. "They had won just one match in the whole competition and finished last in the league," Newman said. It was time to focus on intense training and practice, Newman decided. With a whole new attitude about tennis and different approaches to playing the game, Newman instilled once again a sense of competition in his team members. So much so that his revitalized players finished fourth last yearÑalmost beating the three teams ahead of them but not quite able to make it. "We came very close to beating each one of the three teams," Newman said. "But we couldn't put them away." At first he was disappointed, Newman said. After thinking about it further, he realized thatÑconsidering where his team was the previous yearÑthey had actually done extremely well. "You don't go from last place to first place in one year," he concluded. Now, with renewed enthusiasm, intense coaching and community support, Newman believes that his team can win the league. His next mission however, is to raise the much-needed funds for the team. "Coach Rick is just wonderful," said Crystal Gocka, whose son, Sanden, is on the team. "Rick eats, drinks and sleeps tennis." The Sunnyvale Tennis Club has been very supportive of the team, Newman said. "This year we donated $600 to the Fremont High tennis team for uniforms," said Geoff Ainscow, president of the tennis club, the largest club of its kind in Northern California, with 800 members. "The purpose of the club is to promote tennis in Sunnyvale," said Ainscow, a resident of the city since 1968. More than 800 flyers were mailed out to all of the club's members, informing them of the Las Palmas fundraiser, he said. "Their contribution has been a good start to our fundraising," Newman said. Along with his coaching duties at Fremont High, Newman, 45, continues his duties as private coach and runs clinics at the Las Palmas center. The local school, which is less than a mile away, should be able to make use of the tennis center, with its 16 courts, Newman said. Pleading his case to the center, Newman said he was able to obtain permission for his team use the Las Palmas courts for practice and coaching sessions while the Fremont High tennis courts are being renovated. "The school is putting in seven new courts, which should be ready for use next month," he said. Besides a junior varsity coach, whom the school badly needs, the members of the team say it has many more needs. "I think it will be nice if the team gets more money," said Sophomore Anna Westendor, a team member. "The whole team needs jackets." In addition to basic necessities like tennis balls and rackets, the team needs more money for the new uniforms, and it would be nice to have a racket stringer, Newman said. During a match against Homestead High School last year, one of the opponent's rackets needed restringing and it was done within a matter of a few minutes, he said. "If it had happened to us, we couldn't have done anything," Newman said. "We're going to need $2,500 just for uniforms. A stringer will cost anywhere from $500 to $2,000." "Our ball machine gets stuck after every ten balls," said team member Daniel Lofgren, a team member. "We have to physically get in there and pull the ball out." However, people in the community continue to be awestruck by the level of Newman's commitment. "Rick's done a wonderful job getting community interest," said Marilyn ButlerÑa team member's parentÑwho was helping collect donations. "It's nice to see the city wide interest in the school's activities." The community's support is crucial to the success of the Firebirds, Newman said, which he hopes will work to their advantage so they can continue to play the game they love all their lives. Contact Coach Rick at the tennis center at 408.732.2130 or at home at 408.738.4537. His email address is coachricktennispro@yahoo.com. |
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