Welcome to the Spring Newsletter for ARTC, and a warm welcome to all our new members. This newsletter is designed to give you an insight into the running of the club and highlight what we have to offer for this year. 

(To download the letter click here or continue reading.)

WHAT’S ON THIS SPRING?

Adult Coaching

Adult coaching has started on Monday nights; 6pm for the Development group and 7pm for the Advanced Group. This is a great opportunity to learn new doubles tactics, practice drills and generally have fun and meet new people.

The first session is for Intermediates, which is ideal for those already in the group or returning to tennis from an absence.

The second session is designed for those playing in the leagues.

If you would like to be added to these groups or require any further information, then please contact Pauline Belt on adultcoaching@artc.org.uk .

Junior Coaching

Junior coaching sessions are led by Damian Galloway, an LTA Level 3 coach.

These are taking place on Wednesday afternoons:

Mini Red: 4pm - 5pm

Mini Orange/Green 5pm - 6pm

He is also planning to run a multi -sport camps through the half- term holiday.

You will find more detailed information on all this on the club website under Junior Coaching and you can contact Damian on 07970 092535 or email him directly at damiangalloway@btinternet.com

Junior club sessions

These sessions are held on Friday afternoons:

4pm - 5pm: Tennis Fun (age 5 - 11)

5pm - 6pm:  Teen Tennis (age 11-16)

Come and practice your tennis shots and play some fun games!

Parents are encouraged to join in some of the activities with their child in the first session.

For more information or to join the sessions, please contact Chris at info@artc.org.uk.

Adult Club Night

These are held on Thursday evenings 6pm onwards. This is an opportunity to meet and mix with other members, and play some informal, friendly games. There is a WhatsApp group for anyone wishing to take part in these sessions. If you would like to be added to the group, or for more information, please contact Vasilka Woods via info@artc.org.uk.

Ladies Sunday Social Tennis

Amanda McVey and Vasilka Woods organise social tennis for ladies from 1-3pm on Sunday afternoons. These are informal, friendly sessions. We get in touch through our weekly WhatsApp messages and look forward to seeing all who would like to join us whenever they possibly can .If you are interested in being added to this group, please drop an email to Amanda and Vasilka at info@artc.org.uk

Balls in the Clubhouse

Used match balls are available in the clubhouse for club sessions and social tennis. If you use them, please return after use and if wet/damp, please use the rack on the counter to dry them rather than putting them back in the tins. We recycle old balls to raise funds for the club.  If you have finished with your balls, please pop them in the labelled pink bin.

Team News

Mixed Doubles

Our Fixtures Secretary this season is Sara Heron who has coordinated the implementation of a new league recording system. Team captains are Pauline Belt, Sara Heron, Suzanne Webb and Julia Campbell who have all volunteered to take on the role for the season. If you would be willing to act as a deputy within your team, please inform your captain who will be very happy to explain how it works. The introduction of MyDivision, for mixed tennis this year means that match results will be submitted digitally, and all stats are available to view via the club website. Home matches take place on Tuesday and Wednesday evenings 6.30pm start.

Ladies’ Doubles

We have entered 2 ladies’ teams into the Fulford Invitation Tennis League. Details of the league fixtures and results are on the website: http:// www.yorktennisleague.co.uk

Suzanne Webb and Julia Campbell are captains for the 1st team (Div 5). Amanda McVey and Vasilka Woods are captains for the 2nd team (Div 6).

Men’s Doubles

We have entered two Men’s teams into the league. If you are interested in getting involved, or would like some further information, please contact Tom Shouksmith or Steve Temple via info@artc.org.uk.

Tournaments

The first tournament of the year took place on Sunday 16 April. This was run as a Harlequin event - that means you change partners for each rubber which normally consists of 5 games. This format is perfect for all abilities to take part, enjoy the games and mix with other members. We spent a very pleasant morning, at the end of which, Kath Temple and Geoff Bullock were presented with the trophy as winners. Congratulations to both!

The next tournament will be the Spring Cup which we are planning to run in memory of Liz Maunder, who sadly passed away last year. She was a very active member of the club right from its start, serving as a committee member and fixtures secretary for the mixed teams for many, many years. She enjoyed both social and league tennis and would repair the nets and help in any way she could. We would like to run this tournament on Friday evening 16 June, starting at 6.30pm. We will then adjourn to the Roebuck for some food and refreshments.  More details will follow later, but, for now, please save the date. It would be great to see lots of people enter this tournament in memory of Liz.

David Bradley Men’s Doubles Tournament 2023

After the success of last year’s David Bradley Men’s Doubles tournament, we are making this year’s tournament an invitational. As well as ARTC men’s entries, we shall be extending invitations to some of David’s partners from his many years playing in various teams across the York leagues. After the tournament, there will be the official unveiling of the bench very generously donated by David’s family in his memory. The bench will take pride of place on court 1 for us all to use for years to come. Also, we welcome all back to The Roebuck Inn after the tournament where there will be food laid on. A great opportunity to catch up, recount memories, and celebrate a great morning’s tennis!

Court and clubhouse maintenance

The usual Spring clean of the courts took place in March. First, some moss killing on court 3 enabled the dead moss to be cleared away by the Replay Maintenance machine. The cleaned sand was then put back into the astroturf. The courts were also checked to see if any new sand needed to be added. We are awaiting the report back from Replay, the contractors. Thanks go to Richard Barwick for taking charge of this regular maintenance.

Thanks also go to Mick Miller for repairing one of the benches and fixing the large drag brush used by Mark Baxter to regularly sweep the courts. Thank you too to Mark.

I would like to stress to all members that if you go to play on a court that has debris on it, of any kind, please use the dragmats to clear the court before you start to play. Stopping any leaves or seeds from contaminating the sand in the astroturf is essential to prolong its life. Ideally, we would like to extend the life of the courts by at least a few more years.

The clubhouse has also undergone an annual spring clean, so everything is shipshape and fresh for the new season. Thank you to Amanda McVey and Vasilka Woods, who assisted me with this. Thank you also to Gary and Julie Carpenter for maintaining our stock of supplies for the clubhouse.

Gary has also been responsible throughout the year for producing the monthly Health and Safety risk assessment, required by our insurance company. 

Mick Miller has given the lawn mower its annual service and Steve Temple is mowing the grass regularly. This really enhances the overall look of our club, so thank you, Steve, and Mick.

Looking ahead, we are planning to paint the clubhouse in September, so anyone willing and able is welcome to come and help. More details to follow.

Safeguarding

Following our Safeguarding Support Visit from the LTA, all measures have now been taken to ensure that we meet the LTA Safeguarding Standards. Many of you will know that when you sign on to Clubspark you can click onto your login which takes you to My Profile. Clicking on the Consents page allows you the option of adding Emergency Contact details.

I cannot stress enough that we are all responsible for safeguarding, so if you have a concern, you should report it to me, Chris Howat, as Welfare Officer, so that it can be dealt with in confidence.

ARTC website

Thanks to Kath Temple, Geoff Bullock and Vasilka Woods, who have updated the new Clubspark website. I’m sure you will all agree that it is very comprehensive and clear. There is a good deal more information there and it is designed to be a ‘go to’ information point and as such is something to keep your eye on for up- to- date news.

Can you help….?

Have you got any junior rackets that you no longer need?

We would welcome any donations that can be kept as spares in the clubhouse. Appleton Roebuck Primary School have also approached us with the same request, so, any surplus will be passed on to them.

New Members

The club always welcomes new members and if you would like to join simply complete our membership via the website or, if you prefer, contact Pauline Belt or Amanda McVey to find out more information. Contact info@artc.org.uk or membership@artc.org.uk.

Finally, I would like to wish everyone an enjoyable summer of tennis and look forward to seeing you on court very soon.

Kind regards,                                                                                                                                                                 

Chris Howat 

Chair of ARTC