Berkswell & Balsall Common Tennis Club Newsletter – Winter Season Recap 🎾

As we move into the brighter evenings and the start of a new competitive phase, it’s a great time to reflect on what has been a fantastic autumn/winter season for the club.

Ladies Winter Tennis 

We were proud to field three Ladies winter teams this season, demonstrating the continued strength and depth within the section. The teams continued to support each other whilst our 3rd team struggled with injury and illness and still managed to put out 4 players each week. A special congratulations goes to our 2nd team, who are currently on track to win Division 5 in the  league — a tremendous achievement. Our Ladies Veterans team has also had an outstanding campaign and is currently in position to win their division.

Men’s Winter Tennis

In the Men’s section, our 1st Veterans team competed in the top division, where the standard of tennis is high. The team performed with determination and resilience against strong opposition. Our 2nd Men’s Veterans team also had a strong season, competing well and showing excellent team spirit throughout their matches.

Mixed Winter Tennis 

A huge well done to our fantastic Mixed Doubles teams, who have shown tremendous commitment over the cold and often rainy winter months. With some fixtures involving fairly long journeys, and several matches unfortunately cancelled due to the weather, the season has certainly tested everyone’s resilience.Despite the disruptions, both teams have remained highly competitive and are fighting for the top positions in their divisions — a superb achievement and a real credit to the dedication of all players involved.

Spring & Summer Ahead

The Spring League has now begun, with two teams representing the club and competing through to May. We wish them the very best as they build momentum heading into the summer months.

Looking ahead, preparations are already underway for what promises to be an exciting Summer League, where BBCTC will be entering an impressive six men’s teams and four ladies teams. This level of participation reflects the continued growth, enthusiasm, and competitive strength of our membership.

Thank you to all players, captains, and supporters who braved the winter conditions to represent the club so brilliantly. Your commitment makes the club what it is.

A look back at our Events

Alongside a busy competitive calendar, we also enjoyed two important and well-supported club events last autumn:

📋 Wednesday, 12th November – Annual General Meeting (AGM)
A key date for all members, the AGM provided important updates on the club’s progress, plans, and priorities. Thank you to everyone who attended and contributed to the discussion.

🏅 Saturday, 15th November – Awards & Celebration Evening at The White Horse
We were delighted to host our Awards Evening at The White Horse, with a record attendance. It was a fantastic opportunity to celebrate the season’s achievements and enjoy a memorable evening together off court. Thank you to everyone who helped organise and support such a successful event.

🏅Wednesday 4th February – Comedy Night

Laughs all round with some excellent comedians. The evening included a special Pirate dance from our Club Chair too (see pic below). 

🍷 Friday 20th March – Wine & Tapas Evening

Thank you to all that attended this to make it such a success. A great night had by all sampling wines with some tasty food to go with it.

Spring/Summer 2026 Events

We have a packed calendar of tennis and social events ahead. Please make a note of the following:

🎾 Sunday 26th April – Season Opener Tournament

🏇 Friday 22nd May – Chris Rhodes “Race Night”

🔥 Saturday 20th June – Summer Tournament & BBQ (TBC)

🍓 Saturday 11th July – Strawberry Tennis

🏆 Sunday 6th September – Finals Day

🎉 Friday 11th September – Captains' Night

🎾 Club Open Days

We are excited to once again welcome new players to the club through our Open Days, which are always a great opportunity for friends, family, and potential new members to experience the club.

Junior Open Day
🕦 Saturday 9th May – 11:30am to 1:30pm

Adult Open Day
🕤 Sunday 7th June – 9:30am to 11:00am

Please spread the word to anyone who may be interested in trying tennis and experiencing our friendly club atmosphere.

Mini Championships
🎾 Saturday 5th September – 5:00pm

Junior Championships
🎾 Sunday 13th September – 5:30pm

We look forward to seeing our younger players competing and showcasing their progress.

🎾 Club Rackets

If anyone has borrowed a club racket (adult or junior) from the coaching shed, please could you return it at your earliest convenience.

The rackets in the shed are used for Open Days and trial lessons, and a couple are currently missing. If you happen to have one at home, please pop it back into the rack in the shed.

Adult Tennis Coaching Programme

We offer a range of friendly, structured group coaching sessions for adult players of all levels, from complete beginners to experienced team players.

• Beginners (Sat 11:00–12:00)
  Ideal for those new to tennis or with limited experience. Focus on basic strokes, tactics, and court positioning in a supportive, active environment.
• Improvers (Sat 9:30–10:30)
  For players who can rally with some consistency and understand scoring. Covers all key shots, including volleys and smashes, plus doubles positioning and tactics.
• Intermediate (Thu 19:30–20:30)
  Suited to regular players with consistent rallying and serving. Emphasis on developing spin, power, and tactical play in both singles and doubles.
• Advanced (Mon 9:30–10:45)
  Designed for league/team players. Sessions are doubles-focused, improving tactical awareness and technical skills specific to match play.
• Workshops (Intermediate & Advanced)
  Themed sessions delivered throughout the year, led by an active ITF doubles player, focusing on specific areas of performance.

Pricing

• Cost is £6 members (in advance for a term) & £10 on a pay & play basis. 
• Non-members are welcome to attend coaching on a pay and play basis - fee per lesson is £12.

Booking & Enquiries
Contact Jon Baber or Collen Mhlanga for more details and to book a place.

WALTA Award - Highly Commended Club Award

We just wanted to recognise the fantastic achievement of the Club, as recognised by the “WALTA Award”:

“Our first highly commended club award goes to Berkswell & Balsall Common Tennis Club , recognised for its outstanding facilities, thriving junior programme, and strong community spirit. The club offers top-tier, floodlit courts that support year-round play, alongside an exceptional junior pathway engaging over 125 young players through coaching, holiday camps, and early-years sessions. Led by Head Coach Stuart Davoile, inclusive coaching opportunities cater for everyone from beginners to league players, while a vibrant social programme and competitive structure create a welcoming, family-feel environment that helps members of all ages quickly feel part of the club.2

We look forward to seeing many of you on court soon!