Tennis Manitoba and TNSE encouraged by response to ADVANTAGE Winnipeg

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 30, 2012

Tennis Manitoba and TNSE encouraged by response to ADVANTAGE Winnipeg

Awaiting decision by Tennis Canada

WINNIPEG, MB –True North Sports & Entertainment Ltd, along with Tennis Manitoba, are pleased to announce the results of the ticket deposit campaign launched to support Winnipeg’s bid to host the 2013 Davis Cup. At the end of the five-day drive that ran through Ticketmaster from October 25 at 10 AM until October 29 at 10 PM, supporters for Winnipeg’s Davis Cup bid committed 2,385 ticket deposits at $25 each.

The total ticket deposits sold have helped strengthen Winnipeg’s bid to host the Davis Cup on February 1-3, 2013. A decision by Tennis Canada is expected sometime in the next 7-10 days.

“We have closed off the deposit campaign at 2,385 deposits, and will continue to lobby Tennis Canada in our efforts to secure the event,” said Kevin Donnelly, General Manager of MTS Centre. “We view the campaign as a success and continue to receive many inquiries from people wishing to place deposits. Our results from the campaign have sufficiently satisfied our belief that Winnipeg can successfully host a Davis Cup event.”

Winnipeg is competing with bids from Vancouver and Calgary to host the major tennis event. The winning bid will host the top players from host nation Canada and World number-one ranked Spain.

“Our goal through ADVANTAGE Winnipeg was to distinguish our bid to host the Davis Cup from the two competing cities,” said Bruce Waschuk, President of Tennis Manitoba. “The tremendous response through both ticket deposits and social media has proven there is significant tangible support for the event in Winnipeg.”

Information will be passed on as it’s made available about the winning bid to host the 2013 Davis Cup. With regards to ticket options or deposit refunds, True North asks for the patience of those who have made a ticket deposit as a response will be issued when possible.

To continue to show support, Tennis Manitoba urges Winnipeg to “like” our page on Facebook at facebook.com/WinnipegDavisCup, and also voice your support on Tennis Canada’s page at facebook.com/TennisCanada. You can also follow the ADVANTAGE Winnipeg campaign on twitter @WpgDavisCup for tennis news and the latest on Winnipeg’s hosting bid.

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Please go to www.tennismanitoba.com to learn more. For media requests, please contact:

Scott Brown
Senior Director, Corporate Communications
True North Sports & Entertainment Ltd
(204) 926-5570
sbrown@winnipegjets.com

Nancy Chappell-Pollack
Coordinator
ADVANTAGE Winnipeg
(204) 997-6141
nancy@tennismanitoba.com

Tennis Manitoba Hosts Provincial Regroupings

Tennis Manitoba recently hosted Provincial Regroupings for 26 juniors in the U8, U10, and U12 categories. Each age group participated in a 2 hour training event at Taylor Tennis Club with several of Manitoba's coaches including Jared Connell, Robert Kennedy, and George Kylar. The event included on-court fitness, drills and training, and match play as well as a coach/parent information session.

Tennis Manitoba is looking to develop a Provincial Regrouping Program that will run on a consistent basis so it can monitor and aid in the progress of it's upcoming tennis players. In the past Tennis Canada has sent its U12 National Coach to these Provincial Regroupings to aid in offering Manitoba's juniors with everything they need to aspire to be the best players they can be.

For more questions or information, please contact Rob Langan at rob@tennismanitoba.com or at the office at 204-925-5660.

Fans show they want Davis Cup to be held in Winnipeg

(Winnipeg Free Press - ONLINE EDITION | By: Staff Writer, Posted: 10/30/2012)

Rafael Nadal.

Winnipeg may be 2,385 steps closer to hosting a Davis Cup tie than it was a week ago.

True North Sports & Entertainment received that many $25 deposits from sports fans hoping to see Milos Raonic and his Canadian teammates take on Rafael Nadal and his fellow Spaniards at the MTS Centre in the first week of February.

Winnipeg is in a three-way battle to host the three-day event - which is worth millions to the local economy - with Calgary and Vancouver.

Kevin Donnelly, senior vice-president at True North, said even though sales were below an admittedly aggressive goal of 5,101, he is encouraged by the response he has received from Tennis Canada.

The four-day blitz wrapped up Monday night at 10 p.m.

A decision on the successful bid is expected by the end of next week.

Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press online edition October 30, 2012

Please "LIKE" our bid to bring the Davis Cup to Winnipeg at facebook.com/WinnipegDavisCup

Tennis Manitoba looks to host Davis Cup tie by getting fans behind plan

(The Globe and Mail | The Canadian Press, October 25, 2012)

Canadian team members celebrate after Milos Raonic
(in white shirt) won his match over South Africa's
Izak van der Merwe in Davis Cup action at Stade Uniprix
tennis stadium at Jarry Park in Montreal, Sunday,
September 16, 2012 (The Canadian Press)

Tennis Manitoba is trying to get people to put their cash on the line as it bids to host Canada’s Davis Cup tennis tie against Spain in February.

The organization has teamed with True North Sports and Entertainment, which owns the MTS Centre, to ask for refundable $25 deposits on tickets to prove there is widespread interest.

Tennis Manitoba president Bruce Waschuk said of the three cities left in the running, Winnipeg is the best choice because it can offer the MTS Centre on the Feb. 1-3 dates.

“MTS Centre provides Winnipeg with an early advantage, as it’s the only city on the short list that can host the event in a full-sized arena,” said Waschuk.

He added that social media is also being used to drum up interest in the Advantage Winnipeg campaign. The other cities on the shortlist are Vancouver and Calgary.

The World Group tie could see Canada’s world No. 15-ranked Milos Raonic face off against Rafael Nadal. The fourth-ranked Spaniard hasn’t played in months due to a left knee injury.

Canada team captain Martin Laurendeau has said the choice of surface and venue are among the few advantages his side against the top-ranked Spaniards.

A Tennis Canada spokesperson said Thursday that the host city will likely be named by mid-November.

Canada is ranked No. 12 in the 16-team World Group and kept its spot in the competition’s elite group with a victory over South Africa last month.

Republished from the The Globe and Mail October 25, 2012

Please "LIKE" our bid to bring the Davis Cup to Winnipeg at facebook.com/WinnipegDavisCup

Tennis Manitoba launches ‘ADVANTAGE Winnipeg’ campaign to score Davis Cup

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 24, 2012

Tennis Manitoba launches ‘ADVANTAGE Winnipeg’ campaign to score Davis Cup

WINNIPEG, MB –True North Sports & Entertainment Ltd in conjunction with Tennis Manitoba are pleased to launch ADVANTAGE Winnipeg, a ticket sale deposit and social media campaign to support Winnipeg’s bid to host the Davis Cup tennis competition, February 1-3, 2013.

It is currently down to three Canadian cities who could act as host when Canada takes on World number-one ranked Spain during the Davis Cup. Possible participants in the elite tennis competition include Spain’s Rafael Nadal (currently ranked No. 4 by the ATP World Tour) and Canada’s Milos Raonic (currently ranked No. 15).

“Winnipeg is undoubtedly the best choice to host the Davis Cup in Canada,” says Bruce Waschuk, President of Tennis Manitoba. “Between our city, Vancouver and Calgary, we have the largest venue available to host the event. And more importantly, Winnipeg has a strong and passionate fan base that would leap at the opportunity to see world-class tennis.”

Spain is currently the leader in the Davis Cup rankings and is a tremendous draw for Canada this February.

“We would be part of an exclusive group of cities from around the world that have an opportunity to host the Davis Cup,” says Waschuk. “MTS Centre provides Winnipeg with an early advantage, as it’s the only city on the short list that can host the event in a full sized arena.”

In order to support Winnipeg’s bid for the 2013 Davis Cup, ADVANTAGE Winnipeg includes the Rally to 5101 campaign, which aims to secure enough seat deposits that could guarantee the greatest attendance for the event in Canada to date.. Rally to 5101 is a $25 deposit on tickets or a ticket package, which is 100% refundable if Winnipeg fails to secure its Davis Cup bid.

Ticket deposits can be made through Ticketmaster, either at www.ticketmaster.ca or by phone at 1-855-985-5000, beginning on Thursday, October 25 at 10 AM through until Monday, October 29 at 10 PM.

In order to show Tennis Canada that there is significant interest, Winnipeggers are also asked to “like” us on facebook.com/WinnipegDavisCup, and voice your support on Tennis Canada’s page at facebook.com/TennisCanada. You can also follow the ADVANTAGE Winnipeg campaign on twitter @WpgDavisCup for tennis news and the latest on Winnipeg’s hosting bid.

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Please go to www.tennismanitoba.com to learn more. For media requests, please contact:

Scott Brown
Senior Director, Corporate Communications
True North Sports & Entertainment Ltd
(204) 926-5570
sbrown@winnipegjets.com
 

Nancy Chappell-Pollack
Coordinator
ADVANTAGE Winnipeg
(204) 997-6141
nancy@tennismanitoba.com

In Vancouver or Winnipeg

Milos Raonic tentera de mener le Canada à la victoire lors de la
confrontation contre l'Espagne en février 2013.
(PHOTO CHARLES WILLIAM PELLETIER/AGENCE QMI)

Le Journal de Montréal published the article 'À Vancouver ou Winnipeg' in reference to Tennis Canada's host city selection for the up-coming Canada vs. Spain Davis Cup tie to be played February 1-3, 2013. Although we believe it is still a three city race which also includes Calgary, we thought you might be interested in reading the article.

Note: We apologize to Le Journal de Montréal should the translation (via Google Translate) not be accurate.

-----------------------------

The cities of Vancouver and Winnipeg are the two cities most likely to host the next Davis Cup Canada.

The red and white will take on the powerful Spanish team in the first round of the World Group in early February 2013.

"There is nothing confirmed yet, but it looks more to these two cities, told QMI Agency Valérie Tétreault, Communications Coordinator at Tennis Canada, Monday. The host of this meeting should be chosen in November. "

Vancouver hosted the most recent confrontation World Group of the Davis Cup Canadian squad in February, against France. Nation tricolor was imposed 4-1 ground for British Columbian and eject the World Group Canada (note: the country has qualified again in September, thanks to a convincing victory over South Africa ).

In the case of Winnipeg, we must go back more than 40 years to see the city hosting a battle of the tennis team competition. Canada had been visited by the team of Caribbean / West Indies Federation in June 1970 and New Zealand, a week later, Winnipeg Canoe Club, on clay.

"Winnipeg really wants to host this event, continued Tétreault. [...] However, tennis is very popular in Vancouver and the players liked to play (against France). "

It must be said that all tickets for the duel against France had been sold, an element that ultimately should weigh heavily in the balance.

Montreal, not ruled out, but ...

If Montreal is still not ruled out of the race, there would be little chance that it receives the event. I must say that the fans have not moved as expected in the last match against South Africa, while the National Bank court at Uniprix Stadium was barely filled to half its capacity of just over 4,000 people.

"We must be careful since the lockout that has plagued NHL, we must not forget the lecture (note: as the Bell Centre in Montreal or the Air Canada Centre in Toronto), since it is unknown when the season resumes ".

In short, whatever the city designated by Tennis Canada, the Canadian team will be at his best to face Spain. Although the presence of Rafael Nadal (fourth) remains uncertain, the country of Cervantes nation can count on several players among the top players to take over the world, including David Ferrer (5th), Nicolas Almagro (12th), Fernando Verdasco ( 24th), Marcel Granollers (25th) and Feliciano Lopez (35th).

Milos Raonic Vasek Pospisil, Daniel Nestor and all other representatives unifoliate will not have much leeway high if they want to pitch this intractable Spain.

In Vancouver, Winnipeg or elsewhere.

Republished from the Le Journal de Montréal October 22, 2012

Please "LIKE" our bid to bring the Davis Cup to Winnipeg at facebook.com/WinnipegDavisCup

Tennis Canada eyeing Winnipeg for Davis Cup

(The Manitoban | By: Adam Peleshaty, Posted: October 8th, 2012)

After last month’s win against South Africa and advancing to the World Group for the second straight year, Canada’s Davis Cup team learned that they would be hosting Spain in the first round of the 2013 Davis Cup World Group from February 1-3. Spain is the reigning champions and will play for the 2012 title next month against the Czech Republic.

Tennis Canada has instituted a bidding process to determine the city to host the event. The opportunity to showcase up-and-coming Canadian tennis star Milos Raonic and (potentially) Spanish tennis legend Rafael Nadal will undoubtedly be coveted by many cities across Canada. Tennis Canada president and CEO Michael Downey told the Winnipeg Free Press that they are looking at a shortlist of a “half-dozen cities.”

And Winnipeg is one of them.

Tennis Manitoba has officially submitted their bid to Tennis Canada to host Canada’s Davis Cup tie at the MTS Centre and their Facebook page called “Davis Cup Winnipeg” has over 300 likes. Vancouver is looking to host again, as they did last year when Canada played France in Davis Cup play. However, there are factors that may give Winnipeg an advantage when Tennis Canada makes their decision next month.

One of the main factors is the availability of the MTS Centre at the time of the tie. Currently, no events are being held at the arena from January 20 to February 4, which is more than enough time to turn it into a tennis court as well as holding other events for fans and media in conjunction with the tie. Meanwhile, all of the other six NHL arenas are hosting hockey games and other arenas, such as Hamilton’s Copps Coliseum and Toronto’s Ricoh Coliseum, are also unavailable. UBC’s Doug Mitchell Thunderbird Arena, last year’s Davis Cup venue, however, is available.

Winnipeg’s location may also give an advantage to the Canadian team. The first round of the Davis Cup will be held the week after the Australian Open in Melbourne, meaning players will likely fly to Canada immediately after the tournament. Downey told the Free Press that despite the event being held indoors, no matter where it is held “there’s no doubt Winnipeg’s cold weather in February would be an advantage against our guests from Spain.”

The Davis Cup would be the most high-profile tennis event Winnipeg would ever host. With the exception of two exhibitions held at the Winnipeg Arena (Boris Becker vs. Kevin Curran in 1987 and Monica Seles vs. Anna Kournikova in 2002), the city has not seen elite level tennis for some time. The ITF Manshield Futures, a low-level professional tournament that Winnipeg hosted this August, was the first professional tennis tournament in the city since the 1999 Pan Am Games.

The popularity of tennis in Canada appears to be localized in Ontario, Quebec, and British Columbia and almost all of its elite players are from those provinces. With the sport growing in popularity across the country, Tennis Canada may be inclined to choose Winnipeg if it wants interest in tennis to grow not only in Manitoba, but also throughout the Prairies. If Canada wants to become a tennis nation, Tennis Canada must promote the sport nationally.

Every time a Canadian national sports team plays in Winnipeg, the event turns out to be a success. Whether it was the 1999 World Junior Hockey Championship, the 2007 World Women’s Hockey Championship, or the Pan Am Games, Winnipeg always has a penchant for hosting successful one-off sporting events. The return of the Jets has also proven that fans in this city have tremendous enthusiasm for the home team. Even if only the lower bowl of the MTS Centre were filled, there would still be more people in attendance than in Vancouver.

Winnipeg would be an ideal candidate to host a Davis Cup tie but it also needs to be shown that there would be enough fan support. Downey told the Vancouver Sun that social media would definitely help in trying to attract this event.

By the way, the “Bring Davis Cup Back to Vancouver” Facebook page has over 3,350 likes. Winnipeg, we have some work to do.

Republished from the The Manitoban October 8, 2012

Please "LIKE" our bid to bring the Davis Cup to Winnipeg at facebook.com/WinnipegDavisCup

Mark Arndt named Executive Director of Tennis Manitoba

Mark Arndt joins Tennis Manitoba as Executive Director.

Tennis Manitoba is excited to announce the hiring of Mark Arndt as the new Executive Director of the official governing body for the sport of tennis in Manitoba.

A resident in the Winnipeg area, Mark, with his wife and three children, have been strong supporters of tennis in Manitoba. Mark has achieved a top four ranking in Manitoba men's tennis, served as a club board member and teaching professional, and recently partnered to bring the ITF Pro Circuit to Winnipeg this past August. His athletic achievements have also been recognized as a Canada Summer Games medalist in soccer, drafted by Winnipeg Fury professional soccer team, and co-founder of the indoor Soccer Spectrum facility.

Mark's training in business administration, extensive experience with staff management, sales and marketing to schools, sports organizations, and businesses will help immensely in Tennis Manitoba's continued efforts to grow tennis participation among community groups, improve services to member clubs, and increase value with our various stakeholders.

As Executive Director of Tennis Manitoba, Mark will work with Tennis Canada, Sport Manitoba, other provincial tennis associations and the tennis community across Manitoba to grow and support tennis at all levels of the sport. He will assume his new role on October 15, 2012.

For more information on Tennis Manitoba, and the programs we offer, please call us at (204) 925-5660 or visit our web site at www.tennismanitoba.com.

2012 Manshield Tennis Futures tournament chair Mark Arndt (left),
with men's singles champion Reid Carleton, and tournament director
 George Kylar. (August 2012)

'Peg to host Davis Cup matches?

Tennis MB has placed bid to get opening round between Canada and Spain

(WINNIPEG SUN | By: JIM BENDER, Posted: MONDAY, OCTOBER 01, 2012)

Canada's Milos Raonic during the Thailand Open last week.
Tennis Manitoba has bid to host the first round of 2013 Davis Cup
matches pitting Spain against Raonic and the Canadian team.
(Pornchai Kittiwongsakul/AFP)

How would you 'LIKE' to see top-notch tennis in your own backyard?

Tennis Manitoba has bid to host the opening round of the 2013 Davis Cup against Spain, the top-ranked team in the world, this February.

"Tennis fans in the 'Peg would be downright giddy with the prospects of witnessing Milos "Maple Leaf Missile" Raonic launch his massive serves at the likes of Rafael Nadal and David Ferrer," the Tennis Manitoba website says. "Or watching the greatest doubles player ever, Daniel Nestor, and the young Vasek Pospisil battle Marcel Granollers and Marc Lopez on lightning-quick hard courts."

To show your support, vote "LIKE" on Tennis Manitoba's Winnipeg Davis Cup event page on Facebook at facebook.com/WinnipegDavisCup (there's no "LOVE" link).

Canada was granted the tennis tie in the first round of the World Group, to be played Feb. 1-3, 2013 and the site was put up for bid.

There has been some suggestion that Winnipeg's frigid winter would be to Canada's advantage over Spain, the defending champs, even if the matches will be played indoors, likely the MTS Centre.

Republished from the Winnipeg Sun October 1, 2012

Please "LIKE" our bid to bring the Davis Cup to Winnipeg at facebook.com/WinnipegDavisCup