5/8/15, 2:15 PMSTU rallies for a tennis club - The Aquinian

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Last updated November 25, 2014 9:00 am Johnny Cullen

Abony Family Tennis Club (http://theaquinian.net/tag/abony-family-tennis-club/) , Ali Ponte(http://theaquinian.net/tag/ali-ponte/) , st. Thomas university (http://theaquinian.net/tag/st-thomas-university/) , STU (http://theaquinian.net/tag/stu/) , Tennis club (http://theaquinian.net/tag/tennis-club/)

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They smile, laugh and joke around as they begin warming up. Theirsneakers squeak as they do jumping jacks. They lunge, squat and stretch.They’re not joking by the end of their cardio session – they’re gasping forair. But they’re still smiling. It’s time to grab the racquets.

On Saturday, morethan 20 members ofthe St. ThomasUniversity tennis clublaced up theirsneakers at the AbonyFamily TennisCentre in Frederictonfor their secondsession as a group.

Club founder Ali Ponte has been playing tennis since he was a young boy.His dad handed him a racquet at the age of six, and he’s been playingsince. Now a second year student at St. Thomas, the Venezuelan native is

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5/8/15, 2:15 PMSTU rallies for a tennis club - The Aquinian

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sharing his passion with his fellow students.

“One of my friends from the [Abony] tennis club is from UNB, and theyactually have a club at UNB,” Ponte said. “I wondered why there wasn’t atennis group at St. Thomas.”

Ponte decided to pitch the idea to Santiago Chavez, the president of theSt. Thomas Student Union. Chavez liked the idea, and gave Ponte the goahead.

“It has been a tremendous success,” Ponte said. “Our first event we hadaround 25 people.”

Ponte says the group is a social club and anyone can join. It features avariety of skill levels: while some players have a lot of experience, others arejust learning the ropes.

Sunny Hasan is a first year student at St. Thomas. He hasn’t been playingtennis for long, but says Ponte makes everyone feel welcome at theirpractice sessions.

“We’re having good practices thanks to our coach, Ali,” he said.

Only 12 people have paid for their memberships so far, but Ponte isoptimistic the club will gain popularity quickly. He was able to work out adeal with the Abony Family Tennis Centre so students only need to pay $20for their membership, and an additional $3 per session. Usually an hour onthe court costs around $20.

Once the overall skill level of the group rises, Ponte hopes to add acompetitive component to the recreational club. His end goal is toparticipate in tournaments against other university teams.

They still have a lot to learn, but Ponte is pleased with the enthusiasm hisplayers have shown. He’s happy to be out on the court sharing his passionwith fellow students.

“It’s a good chance to get to know people and expand your network,” hesaid.

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