The Stratford Tennis Club’s Morning Group celebrated Canada Day with a fun-filled tournament that perfectly captured the spirit of the holiday. Over the course of three hours, players competed in matches scheduled with a 20-minute time limit, creating fast-paced strategic matches.
Throughout the morning, the atmosphere was full of sportsmanship and joy. Close matches, long rallies, and encouraging cheers were the theme of the day, with players of all levels showcasing their skills and love for the game.
‘A’ Division Champions: Tom Warnock & Julie Redfern
In a thrilling final, Tom Warnock and Julie Redfern edged out Jared Smith and Donna Simpson in a 3-2 nail-biter. Both women played steady and smart, while the men brought contrasting styles. Jared’s power shots kept Tom and Julie on the back foot, but Tom masterfully absorbed the pace and redirected shots to difficult spots. Jared’s youthful movement kept the pressure on, but ultimately Tom and Julie’s consistency and court awareness sealed the deal.
‘A’ Consolation Champions: Diane Rychliski & Yoshi Yamauchi
The A Consolation final was another close and entertaining match, with Diane Rychliski and Yoshi Yamauchi defeating Janet Niezen and Tom Hislop 3-2. Janet and Tom demonstrated impressive net play, which is very important in doubles. Despite their strength at the net, Diane and Yoshi’s steady baseline game proved to be too consistent in the end, earning them the ‘A’ Consolation title.
‘B’ Division Champions: Lisa Tigani & Ken Reibling
In the B Division final, Lisa Tigani and Ken Reibling took home the title after a 3-1 victory over Linda Edwards and Hoai Nguyen. Lisa stood out with her athleticism and consistent baseline play, while Ken contributed with smart shot selection, ultimately creating a deadly combination in doubles.
‘B’ Consolation Champions: Deb Mitchell & John McCarroll
Deb Mitchell and John McCarroll claimed the B Consolation title with a 4-1 win over Bharti Patel and Clive Clark. While the scoreline might suggest a comfortable win, the match was filled with long and intense rallies. Deb and John’s composure under pressure helped them stay focused and pull through a competitive and entertaining final.
After the matches wrapped up, players and spectators gathered in the park for a potluck barbecue. Burgers, salads, and plenty of good conversation rounded out the perfect Canada Day celebration.
A big thank you goes out to all the players from our Morning Group for bringing such a positive energy to the club.


Happy Canada Day!
Matt Furlong