Carson Bell Wins His First  National Title, and  Now Holds the Number One Ranking in Canada in Both Singles and Doubles

Carson Bell, one of our high-performance coaches at the Saville, has played competitive tennis for practically his entire life.  He grew up at the Saville under the tutelage of his parent coaches, Rob and Syrell Bell, who were part of the Saville's early leadership group.  

Carson achieved a lifetime goal this summer at the Masters Nationals held in Montreal when he became a national champion in the mens over-35 doubles category.  This was his first national title.

The final was a memorable and competitive match played in front of a good-sized crowd.  Carson and his partner Jordon Hoy were up against a team from the club where they were playing.  So needless to say, the local fan base was large and loud.  Carson and Jordon narrowly won the first set 7-5 then dipped in the second losing 6-3, setting up the super-tiebreaker decider. It was back and forth, the atmosphere was charged, and finally Carson and Jordan secured the win at 10-7.

It was soon after he turned 35 that Carson jumped on board the Masters tennis circuit, eager to return to competitive play after over five years of not competing.  This was just his second year playing Masters tournaments in B.C., Alberta, and Quebec.  Masters tennis is a well-organized national and international competitive league for "older" players (recently an over-30 category was added) with Canadian and international tournament schedules (through the International Tennis Federation), national and international ranking systems, and annual world competitions for national teams and individuals from around the world.  Next year Carson hopes to represent Canada at his first Masters World Championships in Portugal.    Read more about Canada's Masters tour HERE.

Read the full article HERE  and discover how Carson prepares for tournaments, what he thinks about the Masters tour, and his hope to represent Canada at the World Masters Competition in 2024.

Well done Carson, congratulations!  You are one of a handful of Albertans who have risen to the top of the national rankings in junior or Masters events.  Bravo!

********

Forty Great Years at the Old Michener Courts:  

Dr. Paul Jelen Remembers Universiade 1983, and How He Fought for the Clubhouse

Above:  Sketch by Anastasia Machinski, Saville coach and artist, of the old Michener Park clubhouse and tennis courts.  See Anastasia's informative video on the history of Michener Park HERE.  To view more of Anastasia's artwork, many with a tennis theme and for purchase, go to "oursforall.com".

************************

The old Michener Courts, formerly located down the road, are now demolished, rubble, getting ready for new development.  On the positive side, we have a fully operating new year-round facility adjacent to our main tennis building.   

Many current and former tennis players in Edmonton have fond memories of days spent on the old Michener courts, all the way back to when they opened in 1983, forty years ago, as the host facility of the World University Games.  These Games (also called Universiade) had never been held in Canada before.  Athletes from ninety-four countries representing ten sports experienced the long days of summer in Edmonton, July 1-12, 1983.   

The Michener courts may not have been built at all, and its clubhouse would definitely not have been built, if it were not for the leadership and advocacy of Dr. Paul Jelen.  It was Dr. Jelen who led the Tennis Committee for Universiade, fought for the inclusion of the clubhouse in the tennis facility plan, and managed the first and biggest event ever hosted at the Michener courts.   

The Jelen family is described as one of Edmonton’s historic “tennis families”, going back to when Paul and his wife immigrated here in 1973 from Czechoslovakia, when he accepted a position at the University of Alberta.  He brought with him a love of the game, a high level of play, and a natural proclivity to leadership as the tennis community grew in his new city. 

I went back in time in conversation with Dr. Jelen.   

Photo above:  Russ Sluchinski and Dr. Paul Jelen discuss the making of the bubble, the successor to the Michener Court facility forty years later.  Dr. Jelen recalls his battle with committees and planners to have the clubhouse included at the Michener Courts.  Russ knows exactly what Paul is talking about, confirming that he too pushed for many of the design specifications for the new bubble, balancing budget constraints with desirables.  

Read my full interview with Dr. Jelen HERE.

*******

Saville’s Six New Year-Round Courts Are Officially Opened, Oct 5, 2023: 

A Celebration of Excitement, Gratitude, Opportunity and Relief 

Thursday, Oct. 5, marked the Grand Opening of the six new year-round courts at the Saville Tennis Centre. It was a celebratory event for an estimated one hundred guests who marveled at the colossal over-arching white bubble, generous seating and viewing areas, comfortable lighting and heating, and a well-coiffed clubhouse. 

The buzz was palpable as Tennis Canada and the University of Alberta put on a fine show with players rallying on the newly laid courts, dignitaries in abundance, Daniel Nestor adding fame and celebrity to the event, and the Saville tennis community well-represented with eager smiles from youngest to oldest players, coaches, Bears and Pandas, and the administrators who lived and breathed the building of the bubble over the past one year plus. 

No one could be more proud of the new facility, which is more impressive than imagined, than Russ Sluchinski, the project’s lead proponent and overseer.  With the completion of this facility, Russ has led the Saville tennis community, and the Edmonton tennis community into a new chapter for tennis in Edmonton.  

Read the full article on the Grand Opening  HERE

********

Other Saville Stories

1.  Coach Lan Yao-Gallop is in Santiago enjoying her role as Canada's PanAmerican Tennis Team Coach.  Lan was selected by Tennis Canada to lead Canada's tennis team at the PanAmerican games, currently underway.   Read Tennis Canada's announcement about the Games HERE.  Read more about Lan's trip to Santiago and the PanAmerican games HERE.  Rebecca Marino is documenting the Games on Instagram HERE.  

   Lan Yao-Gallop Leads Canada’s Tennis Team at the PanAmerican Games Above: Lan Yao-Gallop (far right) with the Canadian tennis team at the PanAmerican games in Santiago, Oct. 20-Nov. 5. (Photo includes the men’s coach and physio, players Rebecca Marino and Ju… susanwellstennis.wordpress.com

   

    

   Boulais, Marino To Represent Canada In The 2023 Pan American Games - Tennis Canada Justin Boulais and Rebecca Marino will look to bring home multiple medals for Team Canada at the 2023 Pan American Games www.tenniscanada.com

   

    

2.  In Junior news, Saville players had fantastic results at the Victoria J30 ITF tournament, October 16-21.  Kai Baerg and and James Holt won the mens doubles event.  Maddy Ludwig won women's doubles (with partner Abigeyle Bhopal) and was a finalist in singles.  Great results for the Saville Junior team!  See more tournament results HERE.  

Two Challenger level tournaments are upcoming, one in Edmonton October 29-November 5, followed by one in Calgary November 5-12.  Tennis Alberta writes:  "Audiences will see tennis pros like Victoria Mboko and Liam Draxl (Edmonton, October 29-November 5 at the Royal Glenora Club), and Vasek Pospisil, Gabriel Dialo and Alexis Galarneau (Calgary, November 5-12 at the Osten and Victor Tennis Centre). Don't miss your chance to take in the action!" Learn more HERE and HERE.

Newsletter written by:  Susan Wells.  Provide feedback and ideas to:  bwconsulting@shaw.ca

If you would like to view all articles posted to date, go to THIS WEBSITE.