BLTC Newsletter: Winter 2005

Contents

• Team News
• From the Committee...
• Junior Tournament Results
• American Tournament
• Club Tournament 2006
• Shop online with iB-long

Team News

In the summer leagues, all but one of our teams finished third, and so will play in the same divisions next year. The exception is the ladies' B team which unfortunately was relegated. We'd like to thank all the players for their commitment to team tennis and also for providing refreshments for home matches. It is important that we enjoy the social side as well as the competitive side of the leagues.

This winter, we didn't enter any men's or ladies' teams in the East Glos. Tennis League as it was becoming increasingly difficult to find players who enjoyed these matches. We have however entered two teams in a mixed doubles league in which teams play home and away matches at various clubs around the county. This is very enjoyable hard-hitting tennis and, although both teams are in the bottom division, I have about 20 people wanting to play and hope to be able to give everyone at least one match. The A team has already played its home match against the B team, with the B team winning. So well done B team! To date, the A team has played 4 matches of which they have drawn 1 and lost 3. The B team has played 5 matches, winning 2 and losing 3.

From the Committee...

With only two months to the end of the year, 2005 has turned out a great deal better than feared at the start of the season...

• Membership has already exceeded last season's and more people have taken advantage of family membership than in previous years.

• Coaching ran successfully for both mini and full tennis in the spring and early summer, although Simon Filiatraut was unable to continue in September. This left our older age groups without coaching but we are pleased to welcome James Marsh to the club from November for a trial 6 week period. His two coaching sessions on Fridays are already fully subscribed and we wish him luck and hope that he will enjoy working at Bredon. John Robson continues to coach three enthusiastic mini tennis groups on Mondays. He has a 50 mile round trip from Chedworth, and we are very appreciative of the support that he has given us over the last two years. The new children who started in the mini red group in September are already showing good co-ordination skills. If you are interested in coaching, please contact Linda or email coaching@bredon-tennis.org.uk.

• Four of the five teams playing in the Gloucestershire summer league have maintained their league positions.

• Vandalism problems eased back during the summer avoiding the need to throw money away repairing damage rather than improving the facilities.

• In the summer we decided to have some evening sessions with a 'bring and share' supper. These proved popular and are being continued twice a month at present. A notice in the pavilion gives the dates.

• Social players are enjoying some exciting sessions with players from Gotherington. They were invited to join us while their courts were being resurfaced and as their club doesn't have floodlights.

• Dee started another group for mothers whose children are having coaching and who wanted to be able to play with them. This has boosted our adult membership!

• Although this all sounds rosy, there are still ongoing problems. Over the last few weeks vandalism is again on the increase. The Parish Council and Police would like us to install vandal proof lighting and consider CCTV. We would prefer to spend money on improving our facilities, such as resurfacing courts 3 and 4. The fencing is also in poor condition and will soon be in need of replacement or major repair. We could help ourselves on the fencing by asking our junior members not to play football against the fencing. We appreciate that many of the lads doing this are not members, but some certainly are. All we can ask is that they try to persuade their friends not to use the fencing as a goal.

Finally a quick word on maintenance. We do not employ anybody to maintain the facilities. Kenneth Whittaker has helped out with repairs when he is available, notably replacing many broken tiles on the roof, and repairing damaged guttering. There are always odd jobs to be done such as repairing fencing, removing weeds, or just removing rubbish from around the clubhouse. Can we ask for you all to help out, perhaps when you are sitting out waiting to play or when you have a spare hour? If everybody does a little then our facilities will hopefully remain somewhere to be proud of and where we can enjoy playing tennis.

Finally, can we be the first to wish you a very happy Christmas and an energetic new year!

Junior Tournament Results

Nineteen boys took part in the annual singles tournament on Saturday 3rd September. Thanks to all the parents for their help and support on the day. Round robin matches were played in five different age groups and all were contested competitively, but in good spirit. Well done to all those who took part, especially Jamie Annand, U12 winner for the last two years who took home the U14 cup. Next year we hope to see some girls entering. The eventual winners were:

• U8 - Rory McGuigan (runner up Danny Barber)
• U10 - Steven Rhodes (runner up Alex Stanghellini)
• U12 - Max Barber (runner up Pete Hutchison)
• U14 - Jamie Annand (runner up Stephen Derrett)
• U16 - Jonathan Lamley (runner up Andrew Higdon)

American Tournament

Sunday 11th December 1:15 for 1:30 start. There will also be a 'bring and share' supper with a Christmas theme. Fancy dress optional!

Club Tournament 2006

This time we are trying something different. Matches for each event will be scheduled with a date and time to play (generally a Saturday). If you can't play at this time then the onus falls upon the players to rearrange within one week. Players may be required to play twice on the same day, depending on numbers. There will be sufficient time for a rest in between matches when this applies. The dates are as follows:

• Ladies' and Men's Doubles
  Start: Saturday 14th January; Final: Saturday 28th January

• Mixed Doubles
  Start: Saturday 11th February; Final: Saturday 25th February

• Ladies' and Men's Singles
  Start: Saturday 11th March; Final: Saturday 25th March

To enter, add your name (and partner if applicable) to the list in the pavilion by 25th December 2005. The entry fee of £1 per person per event will be collected at your first scheduled match. Before committing to playing please check your diaries to make sure you are available on the start date, because you will be playing then (check the notice board after 6th January for times). If you have any queries, or need help finding a partner, please ring either Judy Leyden or Jackie Woodward and they will sort you out!

Shop Online with iB-long

For those of you who like to shop on the internet, the Club has registered with iB-long. Whatever you buy through the iB-long portal to major suppliers such as M&S, Tesco, Debenhams and many more, a percentage of your purchase will go to the club. If you want further information visit www.ib-long.com and choose 'Bredon Tennis Club' as your nominated organisation.

© BLTC, 2011.