Introduction
By Kath Temple
Welcome to the Autumn Newsletter for ARTC giving you a summary of what’s been happening in the club over the summer and a peak at what’s on the agenda for the AGM in November.
As you’ll all be aware this is the first regular season since the pandemic where results have determined promotion and relegation positions in the league. It’s been reassuring to return to a normal round of fixtures and, although our results have been mixed, it has been good to be competitive once again.
As Chair of the club, my role is to have an overview of what we do well and where we could improve. This informs the agenda for the AGM which, this year, will address a new policy for Selection and a Compliments and Complaints Policy. These are to help members understand how issues are dealt with by the committee. They should give clarity and transparency when dealing with queries that inevitably crop up.
I often hear, “I’ve done my time on the committee”, as if it’s a prison sentence! That’s a real shame and I think that when we make that winning shot, smash that volley, or serve that ace, we have to be mindful that it only happens with voluntary effort. It’s not a ‘job’ and relies on goodwill and a desire to keep a great tennis facility open in the village. To me, it’s a legacy from a group of dedicated and committed people who went to great lengths to get it off the ground over 40 years ago and as such it should be cherished. So, I would encourage you to attend the AGM, put yourself forward in some capacity for as much time as you feel comfortable doing, which might be a month, a year…see how it pans out? There’s a lot of invaluable skills and experience in our club, it would be a shame not to use them for both newer members and those of you who have previously served their time!
In the meantime, I would like to thank the current committee for their hard work and their willingness to deal with the complexities of running the club for the benefit of all of us. I would also like to thank them for their contributions to this newsletter.
Junior Coaching
By Chris Howat
The junior coaching resumed after the Easter holidays for the summer term on Monday afternoons.
There were 2 groups of primary school age children, once again coached by Damian Galloway.
The younger age group was very well attended, but the older age group was sadly not full.
Most unfortunately, Damian was involved in a very nasty accident on his motorbike in July. He
suffered 5 broken ribs amongst his injuries and has been unable to work since then. He is
recovering quite well and hopes to be back coaching in the new year. Moving forward, we are hoping to liaise with Appleton Roebuck Primary School, so Damian can offer some coaching at the school, at least during the winter months when it is not possible to play outdoors. One of the parents has already made an approach to the new headmaster and the idea has been met very favourably. This will be a very positive step forward in encouraging more juniors (and maybe their parents, too!) to play tennis. We will be pursuing this over the next few weeks.
Junior Club Nights Supervised club sessions for Juniors have been taking place on Friday afternoons, 5pm - 6pm, since the start of the summer term, whenever the weather and availability have allowed. This session is mainly attended by the 8-11 yr old juniors who, for whatever reason, do not go to the Monday coaching sessions. The Friday sessions provide an opportunity for them to enjoy some fun games and activities with their friends, as well as some singles or doubles games.
Most of the juniors attending this session moved to secondary school in September, so next year
the 5-6pm session will be for the 11-16 yr olds. We can then, hopefully, reintroduce the 4-5pm slot
for the primary school children.
Health and Safety
By Gary Carpenter
The club continues to monitor, review and follow LTA guidelines, policy and good practice to ensure and maintain members’ safety. Covid is still out there and cases will doubtless increase as we move into the Autumn and Winter. The club encourages all members to follow Covid guidelines and best practice, so please continue to use the hand sanitiser stations located on court 2 and outside the clubhouse, or your own gel or wipes, to protect yourselves and others. Please let a member of the Committee know should you notice any damage on or around the courts, or believe anything to be unsafe, so appropriate action can be taken.
Announcing the David Bradley Cup
By Vivienne John - David’s sister
We were all devastated by the loss of David Bradley to cancer last year at the age of 51. David started as a junior with the club when he was still at primary school and when the club was first founded. He quickly progressed through the adult teams to be playing for both the Mixed Doubles First team and the Men’s Doubles First Team. He partnered with John Giles for most of his “men’s career” and more recently with Geoff Bullock. And, in the Mixed Doubles, with Judy Marriott and Ruth Jones.
Many of you will have seen David in action and will remember his powerful serve (which came at you from a great height) and his “heavy hitting” style, probably modelled on his childhood hero, Ivan Lendl! Similarly, he was a controlled player and brought a calmness to the court - but woe betide the opposition if they gave a dodgy line call which made him notch it up a gear…this happened in a match when the opposition won the first game on a dubious line call but then lost the next eleven as David and partner John “were having none of it."
In memory of David, we are delighted to announce the introduction of "The David Bradley Cup" which will be awarded to the winners of the Men’s Doubles Tournament held in the Autumn and will be donated by David’s family: Lorna, Gordon, Vivienne, Lawrence and Jensen.
In addition, we would like to fund a memorial bench on the courts so that David’s memory will be at the heart of the club. We think it will be welcome place to rest weary legs whilst keeping David’s memory at the centre of the action
Liz Maunder
By Chris Howat
In August, we were all very sad to hear of the death of Liz Maunder at the age of 91. She was a founder member of the club over 40 years ago. In order to have 2 tennis courts built there were various fundraising projects, including tournaments played on Liz and Brian’s court in their garden which was also used on occasions to help complete league matches.
Liz served as a committee member until she was in her 80’s. She took immense pleasure working for the good of the club, initially running the boys’ teams and then for many years as Fixtures Secretary for our 4 mixed teams. She kept an impeccable record of every match played across the 4 teams, and always came to watch and observe home matches.
She and Brian also spent many hours repairing benches and mending nets. She played in both ladies and mixed teams for many years and enjoyed her social games of tennis until well into her 80’s. She has been described as “a legend” and her legacy for the club is that, through her hard work and dedication, a new generation of members is able to enjoy the courts.
Our thoughts go to Brian, Andrew, Penny, Sally and family.
In recognition of all her work, the club has given a donation to St Leonard’s Hospice.
Congratulations and Thank Yous
By Kath Temple
The mixed doubles harlequin Dennis Hudson Trophy was played on 9 Oct. It was great to see new players in their first tournament pitted against first teamers. One of the highlights was Pauline Connolly and Steve Temple getting 2 games off Geoff Bullock and Pauline Belt in a 5 game set due to a canny strategy of lobbing! The final was between Mick Miller and Chris Howat versus Paul Dadvar and Pauline Belt, which Pauline and Paul won despite some great intercepting rallies from Mick and Chris. A smashing morning’s tennis was had by all, the sun shone and a pint was enjoyed in the Roebuck afterwards. Win-win!
I’m sure you’ll agree that the courts look particularly good this year. Thanks to Richard Barwick and Steve Temple for their commitment to rejuvenating the courts, weed killing and regular grass cutting, the courts really are a credit to the club.
However, it’s everyone’s responsibility, particularly in the Autumn, to drag the courts. Mashed up leaves grind into the courts which equals bad news and costs £££ for the club. We’ve now got 2 drag mats, so why not incorporate dragging the courts into your warm- up before you play!
AGM Arrangements
By Kath Temple
This year it will be held on Thursday 24 November at the Roebuck Inn at 7.30pm. It is where Officers and Committee members are nominated and elected and this year there is definitely going to be change, as some Officers (Chair, Secretary and Treasurer) are planning to resign and a number of committee members are standing down. Plus, we don’t have a Fixtures Secretary at the moment, so there are plenty of opportunities for involvement.
We all benefit from maintaining a committed membership who want to maintain a great tennis venue. Therefore, it is important that we have a good attendance in order for the membership to share the load of running the club.
So, if you’re unsure about turning out, please do! We will be voting on a new club Selection Policy which will affect everyone who plays in all leagues and will be a whole club policy. It will be designed to achieve access to all teams for everyone playing at the appropriate standard and will be able be transparent and understood by the full membership.
In addition, we will be adopting a Complaints and Compliments Policy so that members will have defined expectations about how issues are raised and how they will be dealt with by the committee.
Plus, there will be the usual reports from the team captains. A lot of work goes in to organising the evening and it would be good to see a healthy attendance, plus there is a bar!
Looking forward to seeing you all at the AGM on Thursday 24 November.