By Ali Norton
If you’re looking for someone to hit the tennis court with this spring, your next match could be just a click away.
The Ottawa Virtual Tennis Club is a free online service that allows tennis enthusiasts to connect.
Unlike traditional tennis clubs, there are no fees, and matches are played on public outdoor courts, with players determining the locations.
Founded in 1999 by Tom Staresinic, the club has had close to 200 members, and is always looking for new people to join its ranks.
Staresinic says he started the club because he was having trouble finding suitable partners.
“Personal friends had busy schedules, and even when you did find [someone] they were often not a suitable partner for you [because] they had a different style,” Staresinic says.
He figured other people were having the same problem, and says he thought creating a website was the easiest solution.
“I was a member of a formal tennis club twice, and they had lists that allowed you to handwrite your name and number,” says Staresinic.
“I found they didn’t work well. I thought if you could actually see the person’s skill level before you contacted them, it would be more efficient.”
The club allows members to fill out online profiles specifying their skill level, age, sex, and what type of partner they’re looking for.
As of last year, players also have the option of registering to play in a league with recorded results. Staresinic says league play is something he hopes to expand this season, and says he’s hoping to get a local tennis store to provide prizes.
The website provides contact information for all members so that people can set up matches by phone or e-mail.
David Patchell has been a member of the club for three years. He found out about the service after performing a search on the Internet. Like Staresinic, he says it was difficult to find other tennis players in Ottawa.
Patchell says he has only used the website a few times, but enjoys the virtual format. “I’ve played twice with others. It was pretty good. For each time I actually played, we probably made about four phone calls back and forth.”
Sheri Critch, who has been a member for two years, uses e-mail to contact other players.
“I met some people,” she says. “It worked for what I wanted it for.”
Critch says there is an advantage to belonging to a real club.
“In a club you have guaranteed court times whereas with this you just go to a city place and you may not get guaranteed court time.”
Staresinic says the differences between the virtual club and real clubs are minimal.
“It’s just like a regular tennis club except that you don’t have an actual clubhouse and you use your showers at home.”
He does point out, however, that club courts are better serviced. Lines are repainted as need and court surfaces are dry and properly cared for.
“The city has really been neglecting [public] courts the past two years which is unfortunate. I was hoping this little club would help influence our local politicians to put more of an emphasis on public courts.
I might put a petition on the website.”
One way Staresinic ensures people are able to find matches is by updating the contact list annually.
“The last thing you want is for people to go to the website and not be able to find anyone,” Staresinic says. “People move away and forget. Every year I make sure it’s a clean list so people don’t have trouble finding others.”
The club’s season will begin as soon as the nets go up on city courts, most likely by mid-April.