A new casual soccer league has been set up in Lausanne to help raise money for street kids around the world. Called StreetSoccer-Lausanne, the new league was created by Glyn Atherton, a local soccer enthusiast inspired by the many fund-raising events, which took place in Rio throughout the recent World Cup in Brazil.
Explaining why he decided to set up the league, Glyn told knowitall.ch, “My step-daughter enjoys having a kick about with me and I wanted to find a way for her to enjoy soccer with other kids but without it being too serious. As I got to thinking more about it, I realized we could also use the opportunity to raise funds for the world’s street kids at the same time. The idea of forming a fun and casual soccer league for charity was quickly born.”
A new tennis school will open soon near Lausanne, aimed at children aged between 4 and 14 years old.
Called My Way Tennis, the school will be headed up by Monika Maj, a former Swiss junior singles champion who played regularly with Martina Hingis, and represented Switzerland at many international junior tournaments.
The first course of lessons will run from 2nd May until 3rd July and will cover mini tennis (ages 4-6) and Junior tennis (ages 7-14). A Summer school is also planned for later in the year.
Originally from Poland, but having lived in Switzerland for 30 years, Monika is passionate about tennis, which she started playing at the young age of 6. With her natural ability for the sport, she received the first of her three junior championship titles at the age of 12.
However, at the age of 15, she retired from competitive sport due to the high pressure of intense training and decided to continue with her educational studies. Having passed her maturity exams and started working at Reuters in Geneva, she soon found the lure of tennis too great and returned to the courts, training with Swiss Tennis to become a coach.
After teaching tennis for many years in Geneva, and marrying a British ex-pat living in Lutry (where she lives currently with her 8 month old son), Monika has now decided the best way to combine her passion for tennis with her family life is to set up a school in Lutry! Her new classes will be held on a court in the heart of Lutry old village, on the corner of Rue Friporte and Rue de Vevey.
Commenting on the new school, Monika says, “Whilst I am keen to pass on my knowledge of tennis at competition level, I believe it is essential to maintain a sense of enjoyment in the sport at all times. Children who join my classes can be sure of having lots of fun, as well as the opportunity to progress to higher levels of competitive tennis should they wish it.”
For further information, please contact:
Monika Maj (pronounced My, hence the name)
My Way Tennis
Lutry (click here for map)
mywaytennis@hotmail.com
A new youth orchestra has just been set up in Geneva, aimed at providing young musicians aged between the ages of 8 and 18 the opportunity to play together in a relaxed and friendly environment.
The Geneva Youth Ensemble will provide students playing a string, woodwind, brass or percussion instrument the opportunity to learn a variety of skills including teamwork, listening whilst they play, and how to follow a conductor. The choice of music will vary from classics and movie themes to popular tunes and marches, as well as seasonal selections.
According to Pianoforte Productions Director, Julie Tompkins-Wagner, who will lead the new Ensemble, and who also runs the popular Summer Music Program for children, the young musicians will take part in at least two public performances per year. She says the students will be working with and learning from professional and experienced musicians, who will sit with them and sometimes play during rehearsals.
Rehearsals will take place on Wednesday afternoons from 4:15 - 5:30 at the Geneva English School in Genthod. Prospective musicians should not worry if they have missed the auditions – they should just email Julie at Julie@Julie-music.com , or visit the website at www.Julie-music.com and fill in the online application form.
Instruments required in the ensemble include:
Strings: violin, viola, 'cello, double bass, harp
Woodwinds: flutes, recorders, clarinets, oboes, bassoons, saxophones
Brass: trumpet, trombone, french horn, baritone, tuba
Percussion: mallets, snare drum, bass drum, cymbals, assorted small percussion -- sorry, no drum kit.
The cost for participating in the Geneva Youth Ensemble is CHF 300 per year. Payment will be due once the student has been accepted into the ensemble after auditions.
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