BLTC Newsletter: Spring 2002

Contents

Chairman's Report

This has been a year for drawing breath after the developments of the past five years or so. This does not, however, mean that the committee has been inactive; even in a quiet year, the running of a club of this size takes a great deal of time and expertise. On behalf of all the members, I wish to express thanks to the members of the committee for all their hard work.

There have been two particular issues that have concerned us this year: first, the continuing and disheartening vandalism to the new pavilion, and secondly, the matter of the ball fee for club sessions.

The vandalism has proved both annoying and expensive to the club over the past year. We have examined possible measures, held discussions with the parish council and the police, and approached young people to see what more can be done. At present we are waiting for the proposed development of the children's play area and teenage meeting place to take place before considering our own future action.

With regard to the ball fee, it has been noted that this is not always paid by members participating in club sessions, and various alternatives have been discussed. The committee has concluded that it would be best to continue using the present system, but there is a discussion document on the issue, which will be available at the AGM. We would welcome your comments.

Over the coming months the committee will investigate the provision of floodlighting on the remaining two courts. We will be looking closely at the use of the existing floodlights, and will also be seeking quotes for the installation. Before going ahead, this information will be presented to the members for them to decide whether there is sufficient demand for extra floodlights, and if this justifies the cost.

We are always looking for ways to improve our provision for younger members. In particular, we want to encourage them to progress with their game, and hope that they will continue to benefit from playing tennis.

Finally, we are grateful for your membership and your continuing support in helping our club to flourish.

Secretary's Report

For the second year running, membership has topped 300, with well over half comprising juniors. There were 72 new members. This year saw the introduction of the new category of 'mini member', for those younger players starting tennis for the first time. An 'Awards for All' grant enabled special equipment to be purchased. This year there were ten such very enthusiastic members to keep Marc on his toes.

It was decided to keep a book in the pavilion for members to make a note of any matters that they would like the committee to discuss. We would like to encourage the continued use of this comments book.

The committee met seven times during the year. Hilary was appointed Publicity Officer, and Fiona the Junior Co-ordinator, assisted by Claire. All the current committee members are willing to serve for another year, but anyone else willing to help with the running of the club would be most welcome. Please get in touch with Linda if you are interested.

Treasurer's Report

As the accounts do not close until the end of March, I am unable to give a full report in this newsletter. Full accounts will be available at the AGM together with a report and update on the five year financial plan.

To date I can report that membership income has decreased by a little over £100, and ball levy and floodlight token receipts are much lower than anticipated. This year I feel we cannot attribute this to bad weather or slippery courts as we have only just seen the first flood of this winter and the courts were power washed professionally before they became too slippery. The power washing cost £1527, which is the same as last year. Our outstanding loan is slowly diminishing, and by the AGM we will have repaid £3,000 of the original £10,000.

When comparing this year's income and expenditure with the estimated five year plan (issued at the last AGM) the current balance is approximately £500 above the estimate. However, there are other items to be paid prior to the AGM, including £1,000 for the loan. It should be noted that under the terms of the LTA loan we are obliged to increase membership fees at least in line with inflation.

Team Reports

Summer League 2001

This was a good summer season, especially for the men's A and B teams. The men's A team came top in division 2, without losing a single match and winning nine of the 12 played. This gives them promotion back into division 1. The B team also finished top, winning division 3 in a nail biting finish. It was the very end of August before the final positions were settled. They were equal on points with Gloucester Civil Service, but beat them on percentage of sets won. The B team will be promoted to division 2 this year. The C team unfortunately came bottom of division 4, and will be relegated to division 5. Despite the relegation, the C team gave several of our younger players their first opportunity to play senior league tennis, which will benefit the club in the longer term. A squad of 18 players was used during the season.

The ladies' A Team struggled a little in division 1, but were still leading the division up until the beginning of August. They finally finished third, eight points behind the eventual winners. The ladies' B team finished in third position for the second season running, and were 6 points behind the winners. Unfortunately, the ladies C team was relegated, having struggled right through the season. A squad of 20 players was used for the three teams.

Winter League 2001-2002

In contrast to the summer season, the men's C team has been the most successful, winning their division and gaining promotion. The men's A team was in with a chance of promotion but lost their last two games and finished mid-table. It looks as if the B team will narrowly avoid relegation, although other teams in that division still have matches to complete.

The ladies' A team had a challenging winter season in division 1, meeting several teams who play in the premiership in the summer league. However, they should finish mid-table. The ladies' B team has only dropped three points, and hopefully will come second. This may be enough to give them promotion. The C team is likely to finish near the bottom of division 4, after winning only two matches.

Looking to the 2002 Season

If we are to continue our successful rise through the divisions, there is the need for a strong squad for each team. Although some good players have become involved with team tennis in the last year, other regular team players have become less enthusiastic due to work commitments, injuries, and other interests. This leaves both the men's and ladies' C teams with relatively small squads, as they have to assist the higher teams when there is a player shortage. Anybody interested in team tennis (even if you are unsure if you are good enough) should speak to Carol or Colin Smith to arrange to come along to some Saturday morning team practices. You will be made very welcome and have the opportunity to play against a variety of team players. A good cross-section of team players is normally present.

We would like to thank all the team players for their commitment to participating in the matches, often in poor weather, and for providing an excellent standard of food and drink for the home fixtures. Hopefully 2002 might see one of our teams winning promotion into the premier division for the first time.

Junior Teams

Well done to all those juniors who played in the leagues last summer. Representing the club in the five teams were Joe Newcombe, Ed Barker, Tristan Buckley, Alex Barker, Daniel Cotterell, James Barker, Stephen Derrett, Jacob Patterson, Tom Kelly, Toby Patterson, Sam Wood, Fliss Collier and Tasha Salter. This was the first year that Bredon had entered teams in the junior league, and the enthusiastic players are looking forward to more competitive tennis next summer. All the teams did well as it was the first time many of the players had been involved in a formal event outside the club.

Junior Tournament

A successful Junior Tournament was held in June. The winners (and runners-up) were: Stephen Derrett (Jacob Patterson), Richard Derrett (James Barker), Ed Barker (Tristan Buckley), and Lauren Brice (Fliss Collier). It was pleasing that a few juniors felt confident enough to enter the main club tournament.

Coaching Report

The coaching over the last year has seen several changes, mostly connected with the introduction of mini tennis. Bredon has been credited as one of Gloucestershire's new mini tennis centres. This saw the club buying new equipment and bringing about a new membership category, 'mini member', so that we could coach children as young as four and eventually get involved in mini tennis leagues and fun days. The advanced coaching group moved to Tuesday evenings in the autumn, to accommodate the three mini tennis groups which were held on Mondays.

Starting with small rackets, special balls, and a low net, children progress from the red group, through orange and onto green, at which point they will be playing with proper rackets on a full-size court. A thank-you and well done goes to Lucy Valente-Smith who attended a mini-tennis fun day in January at Telford. She got to work with top national coaches and play with some top British juniors! The aim is to work with the mini members so that in ten years time, these children will not only still be at the club enjoying their tennis, but putting Bredon on the map for performance tennis as well. Watch this space!

During the summer term, mini tennis again took place at the primary schools in Bredon and Overbury. This introduced new children to the game and encouraged them to become members of the club so that they can play with friends and also take advantage of the coaching opportunities. Next year all the new equipment will be available for use in the schools as well.

Marc held two very successful summer camps during the holidays. There were four sessions each week for different age groups, and Marc found some very lively and enthusiastic four year olds, who went on to become our first mini members.

Dee's adult coaching sessions on Tuesday and Thursday mornings during term time continued to be well supported and much enjoyed. Unfortunately, Thursdays seem to attract far more rain than other days, and many sessions were cancelled, which was disappointing for all concerned. Perhaps a meteorologist can explain this phenomenon? The sessions will continue next term, so if you are interested in joining, contact Dee.

LTA Ratings Tournament

The week of 13th-21st July saw Bredon hosting the only LTA Ratings Tournament in Gloucestershire. Despite the weather that week, all the players who entered turned up for their matches, and there was just one evening that had to be cancelled. This year, because our club is a member of the Club Ratings Scheme, our own club players were able to enter without having to obtain an LTA national rating.

As the closing date approached, there were only two entries for the ladies' event. However, thanks to some frantic phone calls and the interest of some of our younger female members, we finished with 8 ladies and 29 men entering. All the matches were played in good spirit leaving the organisers free to concentrate on getting the matches that had been postponed reorganised so that finals' day could take place as planned with the LTA.

Finals' day saw one of our own club players, Polly Christian, beating Emily Coburn 7-5, 6-3 in the ladies' final. The men's group 7 final saw another of our club players, Darren Smith, losing to Neil Dawson 6-3, 7-6. Guy Sellick won the men's tableau beating Andy Catchpole in a thrilling three set match 6-2, 3-6, 6-4.

The tournament was officiated on finals' day by two LTA umpires. We were pleased to see the President of Gloucestershire LTA, Mary Eyre, and the County Development Officer, Chris Rivers, who joined us to watch some close finals.

This year's Ratings Tournament will be held in the week beginning Friday 12th July with the finals being played on Saturday 20th July. Club members can enter without needing to obtain an LTA rating.

Club Ratings

Ratings were given to all club members at the start of last season. The lack of progress of people improving their ratings suggests that this is not of much interest to members. However the Club did benefit from more interest in our ratings tournament from home players. The ratings will be updated again at the start of the season and we will continue to encourage members to become actively involved in 2002.

New Head Coach

After two years of coaching, Marc Devaney has decided to leave Bredon to concentrate on coaching at Gloucester Riverside. We would like to thank Marc for all his hard work and the setting up of the Mini Tennis groups. We wish him every success for the future.

Our new head coach is Neil Dawson, who holds a DCA coaching qualification and is the county co-ordinator for Mini Tennis. Neil will take over in April, though he hopes to be able to meet some of our members at the coaching sessions before Easter, and at the AGM. A flyer with all the information about the new coaching programme will be sent out to juniors when the details are finalised.

© BLTC, 2011.