Best English Open Ever?

With over 100 singles and doubles entries well before the entry deadline, everything is in place for the best English Open from 26th to 28th October ever. In 2011 there were 130 entries and similar in 2010, which was steady. 2012 has a greater influx of foreign players and there are still quite a lot of players still to enter. There are still players needed for the Champions League for club teams on Friday, if you are interested please e-mail Tournament Director Keith Lesser keith.lesser@englishracketlon.org. Watch out for the entry deadlines of all Olympic Draws on Friday 12th October on www.resultreporter.com

If Carlsberg made Racketlon Organisation

Mick Strode, international table tennis referee and umpire. Umpired the Olympics. Has helped organise the English Open since 2005 already and has been an ever present since then. Jade Blasse, Rachel Lawrence and Geoff Jordan. Add in other volunteers alongside the dream team of Keith Lesser, Richard Lawrence and Dominique Ford and everything should be as smooth as a baby's bottom. English Racketlon Chairman Ray Jordan is even driving everyone from the airport and along with Keith Lesser has the week off work.

Players Party moves up a gear

Normally, there is a meal in the sports centre and the life of the party is more good vibrations rather than dancing on the ceiling, but this year there is something different. Tournament Director Keith Lesser explains "I want players to realise the players party this year will be a unique experience. The problem previously was that there was no standout party venue in the local area. With the 2012 Olympics, the area has improved greatly and we found a great party venue. I am less worried about players having a good time and more worried whether they make it to come and play on Sunday". There is still time to book a trip to London and celebrate at the home of the London 2012 Olympics.

No UK World Champions

In late 2011 we celebrated the wins of Calum Reid and David Lazarus but the happy couple will not be playing the English Open at time of writing. Clearly we respect this decision and recognise the huge effort that was undertaken to culminate in these huge victories. Some eyes will be on Elise Lazarus, number one in Europe U13's at squash. She could play Ladies A already, but I think we will protect her for at least one more year. The Ladies A breathes a sigh of relief for sure.

Ladies draw is mouthwatering

Not only do we have the top 3 world ranked players (Zeoli, Kubanova and Eisler), but also English talents Isabelle Tyrrell (2011 and 2010 winner) and Barbara Capper (who has never lost a racketlon match). Tyrrell and Capper haven't played previously. The Men's Elite draw is not as strong but with Ratzer (undefeated in 2012) and Schubert top seeded, we cannot complain.

English Racketlon in great shape

We even made a quiz to celebrate. How many UK Event Mens A winners can you name?

http://www.sporcle.com/games/keithracketlon/ukmenswinners

Champions League comes to London

Union Racketlon Klosterneuburg are the team to beat but Copenhagon Racoons also look strong. Players are still needed for squads so get in touch should you wish to play. With 2 English teams, a Welsh team, a Scottish team, a Russian and a French team completing the line up, there should be some interesting games.

Tournament Director Keith Lesser

Tournament Information

Entry Closing Dates

Friday 12th October 2012 - Elite events (Mens Singles A / Womens Singles A)
Friday 19th October 2012 - All other events

English Open Prize Money

Men 650 Euros

1st - 300, 2nd - 200, 3rd - 100, 4th - 50.

Women 350 Euros

1st - 200, 2nd - 100, 3rd - 50

Champions League - 500 Euros

Courts & Facilities

FIVE INDOOR TENNIS, FIVE SQUASH, FIVE BADMINTON, SIX+ TABLE TENNIS + Some Outdoor tennis. Gym. Showers, changing rooms and restaurant all on site. New badminton and table tennis centre with a further 12 badminton courts and table tennis room. Wi-Fi available in new building.

One tennis court will be used for table tennis, signing in and match distribution will be on the balcony (stairs next to the tennis courts). 

EXCELLENT VIEWING GALLERIES!

Entry Steps

Note the www.englishracketlon.org website is a payment mechanism for this event with further information enclosed. The official entry list is found via www.resultreporter.com

Step 1: Register on www.resultreporter.com on the "players corner" (if you are already registered on the players corner miss this step). This is your username and password for all ResultReporter events (ones with world ranking points). Don't be put off though, just because there are world ranking points, all standards are welcome and thankfully we run lower banded categories so in the Ladies B or Mens B, C & D you avoid playing the top players in the world and still get a great day of competitive sport.

Step 2: On www.resultreporter.com pay the International Racketlon License on this website via paypal. This covers international competition in 2012 and costs 12 Euros. This is a one off charge for all world ranking events in 2012. Or if you don't have paypal add £10 onto your entry fees and action through bank transfer or cheque as per below.

Step 3: On www.resultreporter.com enter the English Open in the desired categories (subject to organiser permission).

Step 4: Pay for your entry and guarantee your place in the draw. Choose from the below options.

Via the tournament entry page on

www.englishracketlon.org.

or complete a bank transfer to Account: 10607673, Sort Code: 20-52-74 (English Racketlon).

A further option is to 4) "send money" on paypal to info@englishracketlon.org.

Email info@englishracketlon.org to confirm receipt.

Champions League entries will be processed individually manually.

Domestic Entry Fees

2 Day Singles Domestic Player Entry fee = £40.
(Mens A, B, Veterans Over 45, Over 50, Over 55, Over 60, Ladies A, Ladies Over 45).
4 matches guaranteed in all categories with 16 or more entries.

1 Day Sunday Singles Domestic Player Entry fee = £30 in advance.
(Mens C, D, Juniors Under 21, Under 16, Under 13, Girls Under 21, Under 16, Under 13, Ladies B).
3 matches guaranteed.

Option to have £10 refunded for no T-shirt.

NB Advance payment required.

The entry includes the official English Open t-shirt. Note doubles entry is £30 per pair and does not include a t-shirt.

A 2nd singles category is available at a discounted £20. A player entering 2 categories will only receive one t-shirt. Additional t-shirts are available to purchase on the day for £10.

Category Advice

Enter half a category lower than you normally would in a domestic event. IE if you finish near the top of your category on the domestic circuit stay in the same for the English Open, if you finish near the bottom, move down one. This applies to the Mens Banded Singles. Additionally note the wildcard rule which can be found on the FIR rulebook on www.racketlon.net, this applies primarily to Mens Class A entries which are restricted according to World Ranking and limited Wildcard entry.

Accommodation & Travel

We recommend 3 hotels for this tournament. All of them are within 2 to 3 miles of the venue but more importantly they are all very close to London Underground stations on the same line as Fairlop - the station next to the venue. Players are encouraged to purchase Oyster Cards for their travel requirements as this works out much cheaper than cash fares.

1. St Georgio Hotel, Ilford

This is an excellent value for money hotel right next to Gants Hill tube station (100m), and just under 2 miles to the venue. Prices for a triple room work out very cheap for London. Excellent location.

Book via www.stgeorgio.com

2. Travelodge at 'London Ilford Gants Hill'

Travelodge is a chain of hotels throughout the UK that offer comfort at reasonable prices. This hotel is 400m (4 minute walk) from Gants Hill tube station and 2 miles from the venue, making it very easy to reach. It is also in an excellent location for bars, restaurants and pubs.

Book via www.travelodge.co.uk

3. Premier Inn at 'Ilford'

Premier Inn is a chain of hotels similar to Travelodge (but slightly nicer). This hotel is situated opposite Redbridge tube station (again, on the same line as 'Fairlop' and 1 along from 'Gants Hill'). It is approximately 3 miles from the venue.

Book via www.premierinn.com

These hotels have all been recommended because of their proximity to tube stations on the Central (red) line - this is the same line as Fairlop (for the venue) as well as Central London in the other direction (approx 30 minutes). They are all 2-3 miles from the venue so 30 minutes or more by foot, but they are the nearest hotels to the venue. Using the tube is very easy and although a single ticket is expensive, you can buy a daily travelcard for around £5 which enables you to travel anywhere in London on the tube, buses and normal trains.

For more information on travelling between the hotels and venue, and for London transport in general and a map of the tube network, visit www.tfl.gov.uk

Please note although we can guarantee a shuttle to and from Stansted airport when you arrive and leave (as long as you tell us!), the hotel is a short bus or train ride to the sports centre.

The Sports Centre has a train station next door. From Stansted airport it takes 45 minutes. Stansted is 20 minutes by car so a taxi is also an option with a few players travelling together. Send your shuttle request to  raymond_jordan@hotmail.com