BLTC Newsletter: Spring 2004

Contents

Chairman's Report

As I approach the end of my first year as Chairman, I have been looking back at the highs and lows of the 2003/2004 year. Without doubt the 'low' has been the damage caused to our courts and clubhouse. A bonfire of rubbish from a nearby litter bin, advertising placards burnt off the fencing, broken glass on the courts, and paving slabs lifted as ramps for skateboarders are a selection of the things that we have had to deal with during the year. In most of these cases the police have been informed, but without knowing who the culprits are there is very little that we can do. We can only ask everybody to be vigilant and report anybody seen abusing our premises.

On a more positive note, courts 1 and 2 were resurfaced in September, and the reaction from everybody seems to be that they are delighted with the work that Courtstall has completed for us. The surface is draining well and there is no slipping even in wet conditions. The highlight of the year for me is the continuing healthy junior membership, from mini members to our junior team players. This has been supported by our strong coaching programme from Jamie Davies and John Robson, not forgetting Neil Dawson who was in charge of our coaching programme until he left for university in September. A strong junior membership is essential, as these people are the club's future adult players. The next challenge is to encourage them to keep playing as they get older.

As for the future, we need to raise sufficient funds to resurface courts 3 and 4 in 2005. We will need approximately £14,000 and it looks as if there is going to be a shortfall of almost £5,000. One attempt to raise funds, the race night, was a disaster. It had to be cancelled due to lack of ticket sales, costing the club just under £100. The skittles night was more successful and the annual quiz sheet is already selling well. However these actions will not be sufficient to raise the funds required. Therefore the committee has reluctantly proposed membership increases well above the rate of inflation for 2004. It is vital that we have good, safe playing facilities, and without these increases we will be unable to provide this.

Finally I would like to thank all the committee members, coaches and team captains for committing their time to the club and helping to provide a club that Bredon can be proud of.

Secretary's Report

Membership fell slightly after last year's record high, but the club did attract 76 new members. Once again well over half the members were juniors and the demand for coaching has resulted in new groups. Visits to the website since its launch have now topped 1,500.

The committee met five times during the year. Much of our time has again been taken up discussing and trying to resolve the on-going problems of vandalism. With the support now of a new community policemen we hope the situation will improve. In addition, the financial situation is of concern. Hilary and Robert are standing down from the committee, so 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

I am unable to give a full report for this newsletter, as the accounts do not close until the end of March. At the AGM there will be an update on the five year plan and also accounts presented for the year. However due to holidays and Easter, the AGM is prior to the end of the financial year but I will endeavour to ensure that no further transactions take place between the AGM and 31st March.

To date I have to report that membership is some £700 short on last years total and some £900 short of our estimate on the five year plan for the current year. The ball levy and the floodlight token sales are also considerably less than anticipated. As many of you are aware we have tried to arrange fund raising events but these are not supported and indeed the race night incurred a loss due to cancellation. On the bright side our affiliation fees this year are slightly less but this is due to our lower membership.

The committee has proposed the new rates of membership for the next year and has taken into account the fact that we want to maintain a high standard in our facilities. It is hoped that these increases, if agreed, will enable us to resurface courts 3 and 4 to the same standard as courts 1 and 2 within the next two years. In the meantime we will need to spray them to kill the moss and power wash them.

Team Reports

Summer Leagues

The men's A team suffered from the loss of key players at the start of the season. They finished sixth out of seven in division 2a and have been relegated. The men's B team, a small but loyal squad, narrowly missed out on promotion, coming third eventually. The C team, using some players new to team tennis at Bredon, finished mid table. Next season, teams should play in divisions 3a, 3b and 4.

The ladies' A team this year narrowly missed promotion to division 1 which, with a team of just three main players supported by B team players, was quite an achievement. A lot of juggling of players took place to ensure that we kept within the rules of the league, which states that a player can only play two games for a higher placed team. The B team however did not fare so well and were relegated to division 3 having won just one match. The C team players held their own in division 5, and finished mid table. This means that the teams next year should be in divisions 2, 3, and 5.

A list of results for the Bredon teams in the summer league can be found on the team fixtures page of our web site:
http://www.bredon-tennis.org.uk/

Full league tables and results can be seen on the league website: http://www.wgtl.freeserve.co.uk/.

Winter Leagues

In the winter leagues, the men's A team has had a difficult time in division 2 against quality opposition, losing two matches in straight sets to East Glos. C and University of Gloucestershire. Performances improved against De La Bere and East Glos. E, but despite winning rubbers, we still lost. A result finally went our way with a hard fought and much needed victory against Bourton.

The B team has been in superb form, with five wins from six matches, and a really strong chance of winning the league. This performance is even more impressive given that the team has only used five squad players. With one match to complete, we look forward to a strong finish.

The club only entered two ladies' teams this year at East Glos. Club and unfortunately Carol is sometimes struggling to find players for these matches.

For the first time, Bredon entered a mixed floodlight league. Sixteen players volunteered to take part, playing at least one home and one away fixture. Although opposition has been tough, the matches (and the suppers afterwards) were enjoyed by all concerned and it is expected that this will take place again next year.

Looking Ahead to Next Season

The club is still very short of players at the upper end of the divisions and anyone wishing to play team tennis should contact Lee Sharpe or Carol Smith. If you are a new member to the club and feel you could commit yourself to team tennis, they would love to hear from you. There is usually one match a week for each team throughout the summer, starting at either 6pm or 6.30pm. At present the home nights are Tuesdays and Fridays for ladies, and Wednesdays and Fridays for men, but of course away matches have to be fitted in with the other clubs. Playing for the teams is great fun and an opportunity to socialise with other teams as there is always a supper after the matches.

Team practice is on Saturday mornings, starting at 08:30 for men and 10:30 for ladies. For further information, contact Lee Sharpe or Carol Smith, or email: teams@(nospam)bredon-tennis.org.uk.

Junior Teams

Bredon entered two boys' teams in this summer's Gloucestershire Junior League; 13 & Under (division 3) and 15 & Under (division 2a). The team members were:

Both teams did fantastically well again this year, each winning all their matches bar one, with several being played in the sweltering heat. All the team members were a credit to themselves and the club. For information about the junior teams next season, contact Fiona.

Coaching Report

We were sorry to lose Neil in September, but Jamie has stepped into his trainers and the coaching has gone from strength to strength. We were pleased to welcome John Robson to take all the mini groups on Mondays. There are now three groups using the village hall during the winter months, with Linda, Jess, Hilary and Dawn assisting, and a new mini green group outside. It is particularly encouraging to see the progress our very youngest members are making.

Jamie's groups on Tuesdays and Wednesdays have also been well-supported, even during the winter, outside under the lights. At present over 60 children are taking advantage of the coaching on offer. To all who have been attending coaching, from mini red to junior performance, well done. For more information on coaching during term time, and for details of coaching camps during the Easter holidays, contact Jamie.

Children in several local schools during last summer term, had an introduction to tennis, and Jamie will continue this after Easter. Dee's coaching continues to flourish. Both groups are full, and the standard of play has improved considerably. Ladies' team players also enjoyed sessions with Jamie on Saturday mornings before Christmas.

American Tournament

This very successful event took place on Saturday 23rd August on a glorious afternoon. Sixteen members (amazingly an equal number of men and ladies) took part and partners were drawn out of a hat. Everyone played seven rounds of eight games each, four with their partner and four against. The eventual winners were Colin Smith and Jackie Woodward. More members came for the barbecue, expertly cooked by Jamie and Anni. The burgers and sausages were augmented by delicious salads, and afterwards some members who still hadn't had enough tennis, played again under the lights!

A similar event will take place this year on Sunday 2nd May, at which the Club Tournament trophies will also be presented. There will be a list to sign in the pavilion. For more information contact Colin or Carol.

BLTC Website

The Bredon Lawn Tennis Club website was launched just over two years ago in February 2002. It can be found at:
http://www.bredon-tennis.org.uk/.

It is intended mainly to provide information about the club to prospective members, but you can use it to contact your committee members with any comments or matters of concern.

Rules of Tennis Trivia

Here are three questions about some less known rules to test your knowledge. The answers can be found below.

  1. You are about to start a match, and win the toss. What choices do you have?
  2. You are about to serve in a game of singles. As you have a rocket serve your opponent is standing well behind the base line by the back fence. Unfortunately you mistime the serve and it flies straight at your opponent hitting him on the arm before hitting the ground. What happens to the point?
  3. You are playing tennis in a gale force wind. Your opponent plays the ball to you and before you can reach it, it bounces back over the net. You reach over the net without touching it with your body or racket and play the ball. Your opponent claims that you crossed the net and that it is his point. Is he correct?

Play Tennis Day

Last year, this was a most successful event with 34 people taking part, of whom 24 were not club members. Ten of these subsequently joined. The children particularly enjoyed the Tennis Factory with games organised by Neil and Jamie.

This year, we will again be holding a play tennis day on Saturday 10th July. Everybody will be welcome at the club, particularly new members, to try their hand at tennis and to find out more about the club. Details such as the time for different age groups are still to be finalised so watch out for details in the pavilion and in the local press.

Constitutional Amendment

New government legislation has been introduced that will allow us to get rate relief of up to 80%, which will amount to a saving of approximately £280 per annum. In order to be eligible for this we need to satisfy five criteria, four of which are already in place. The fifth condition is that in the event of the club discontinuing, any net assets will go to approved sporting or charitable purposes. Therefore an addition to the constitution (as clause 1.4) will be proposed at the the AGM. The new clause will read:

On dissolution of the club, the assets must only be used for local sporting or charitable purposes.

This addition needs to be approved by two thirds of the voting members attending the AGM.

Annual Quiz

The closing date for this year's 'Couch Potato' quiz is May 15th, so there's still time to enter. Copies at £1 each are available from Linda Whittaker or any committee member.

Junior Singles Tournament

A successful junior singles tournament took place on Saturday 5th July. Fifteen boys enjoyed round robin matches in two age groups. The eventual winners were:

The next tournament will be on Saturday 17th July from 10am. This event is for girls as well, so don't feel shy about entering. Entry forms will be available nearer the day.

Rules of Tennis Answers

  1. You may (a) elect to serve or receive, (b) chose an end, or (c) make your opponent(s) chose one of the previous options first [Rule 6].
  2. The server wins the point. Rule 18 states that if the ball is served and it touches the receiver or anything that he wears or carries before it hits the ground, then the server wins the point. In doubles this includes the receiver's partner no matter where he is standing.
  3. No, you win the point. Rule 24b states that you can reach over the net as long as the ball has bounced on your side first. However, if you touch the net with anything then your opponent wins the point.

© BLTC, 2010.