League Captain Spotlight: Craig Walsh

This month we are interviewing a new captain, Craig Walsh who has successfully captained his team to Nationals.  Take a minute to read his interview and get to know Craig and what advice he has for new captains.  Congratulations to Craig and the BROADSTONE RC 55AM6.0A and good luck at Nationals.  

Q: When did you start playing in USTA NorCal Adult Leagues?

A: I started playing tennis when I was about 8, when I lived in England. I did not arrive in the US until 1999 when I joined the Broadstone Racket Club. I played by first USTA league match in 2013 and went to Nationals that same year.

Q: What do you like most about Adult Leagues?

A: I have enjoyed playing USTA league over the years and have made many new friends. I have always had the support of other players and captains. It has also improved my game significantly. There is always a new league to join and more matches to play.

Q: What influenced you to become a captain?

A: For ten years I was happy to be a team member and let my captain do all the hard work of planning matches, finding players and organizing practices. I became a captain because there were not enough people at our club ready to step up and run a team.  In my first year I have captained 4 teams and after I got over the first-time nerves, I have generally enjoyed the experience. There is some scheduling and a lot of emails to respond to, but most team members and opponents have been very amenable.

Q: Who has most influenced you as a captain? What was the best advice they gave you?

A: As a new captain this year I was asked to nominate a mentor. I had no hesitation in naming Mark Grip at Broadstone.  I have played on Mark’s teams over the years and have been impressed with his integrity and fairmindedness. He became my example for organizing a team, planning matches and deciding lineups.

Q: What do you find most rewarding about being a captain?

A: I have been very lucky in my first year to have had great people on all my teams. Being captain means I have had a greater level of interaction with both my own team members and the opposing captains and players. I have always enjoyed meeting new people and being a captain has widened my network of players who I hope to be able to call on in the future.

Q: What words of advice do you have for new captains?

A: Don’t Panic!!! There is huge amount of help available. Other captains will be happy to work with you and the USTA league coordinators are available on the phone or by email. Sign up and get involved in the next league in your area.

Q: Congratulations on captaining the BROADSTONE RC 55AM6.0A to Nationals! How are you and your team planning on preparing for Nationals?

A: This is a first for me captaining at Nationals although I have been to Nationals as a player before. It is early days but my whole team has committed to travel to Scottsdale in November. There are details to be planned but the USTA Handbook has been a great resource. We only qualified last week but will be planning practices and coaching sessions over the next few months. We plan to WIN!!!

Q: Is there anything else you would like to share about you?

A: Wow, what should I share with everyone? I am about to turn 63 this year. (A few days after Nationals). I am still a British citizen and proud of it. Although, I just added Irish to my list of citizenships to get back into the EU.  I love to travel and always take my racket with me. I have played tennis on 4 continents and hope to make it 6 soon. (Antarctica will be tough). My wife also plays, and we do have a sections win playing together. We are looking forward to retiring soon. We plan to travel and play way more tennis.