As another year at the club draws to a close, we look back at the last 12 months in Kevin’s 2024 round-up, and update you on other tennis news. The Tennis Committee would also like to take this opportunity to wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a tennis-filled 2025.
Tennis Report 2024
Another busy season at the Club saw ten teams entered in the Colchester & District League as well as two teams in the C&D Friendly League. It proved to be a mixed season for our teams.
We had good numbers entered for our Club Championships this year and were fortunate to have good weather on Finals Day which was attended by many spectators who enjoyed some very exciting matches.
Colchester and District League
Men’s A – captained by Tom Perry, our elite players finished Runners-Up in the Premier League. A terrific achievement!
Men’s B – also captained by Tom Perry, our second stream team finished Runners-Up in Division Two.
Men’s C – captained by Kevin Eastaugh, they struggled against very strong opposition and finished bottom but will be hoping to bounce straight back.
Men’s D – captained by Paul Gloc, this team also found the going tough this season and finished bottom of Division Four.
Men’s E – captained by Iain Turner, finished fourth in Division Five. Next season should be interesting with our D and E teams both likely to be in the same division!
Ladies A – captained for the first season by Anna Bisco, won fifty per cent of their matches yet finished fourth in a very competitive Division One.
Ladies B – captained by Vikki Sharp, also finished fourth in Division Three.
Ladies C – captained by Christine Long, finished fourth in Division Four, thereby consolidating their league status in their first season following promotion.
Mixed A – captained for the first season by Karin Bacon, finished fourth in a very competitive Division One.
Mixed B – captained by Ikuko White kept their place in Division Two, finishing fourth.
Although the 2024 season has now finished, we are already hearing that some members are curious about how next season’s squads and teams will be chosen.
The full protocol we use is posted on the Tennis Noticeboard. In summary, the committee choose the captains and who is registered for each squad, based on previous results, and then it is up to each team captain to choose their team for each match. This process usually begins fairly soon after Christmas.
If any members who haven't played for the club before and would like to be considered for our squads, please speak to any of the Tennis Committee or team captains mentioned above.
Colchester and District League – Individual Tournaments
Colchester Officers’ Club had very good representation in finals at Frinton Lawn Tennis Club on 31st August 2024. The following players all deserve particular mention.
- Under 14 Boys Singles – Stefan Smith beat Riley McKenzie
- Under 16 Boys Singles champion – Joseph Villalgordo
- Under 18 Boys Singles champion – Joseph Villalgordo
- Open Men’s Singles – Scott Bowman beat Tom Perry
- Open Men’s Doubles – Pierre Smith/Andrew Knights beat Dan Cotton/Tom Perry
- 40 and Over Men’s Doubles champions - Pierre Smith/Andrew Knights
Colchester and District Friendly League
We again entered teams in Ladies, Men’s and Mixed categories, captained by Karen Ainley, Dusty Wilken and Loess Overbury-Tapper, respectively.
We had mixed fortunes in what is a very unpredictable league, but it is probably fair to say everyone who plays enjoys taking part. Our Men finished second, Mixed fourth and Ladies sixth.
Colchester and District Friendly League – Individual Tournaments
Our Club again had good representation in these tournaments, which took place at Little Clacton on 7th September 2024. Again, we had success for the following members.
- Married Couples champions – Sherry and Andy Hodgson
- Veterans Mixed Doubles champions – Loess Overbury-Tapper/Alex Temple
- Veterans Men’s Doubles – John Carpenter/Kevin Eastaugh beat Oliver Saunders/Andy Hodgson
Club Championships 2024
Despite a wet weather forecast which did not materialise, we were able to complete all matches on Finals Day, held at the Club on 22nd September.
There was a good turnout of supporters who witnessed some great tennis. Congratulations to all of our 2024 Champions.
Club Tournaments
Various tournaments organised by the tennis committee were held throughout the year, all of which were well attended, including our annual Pimm’s and Wooden Racquets tournament, this year won by Dusty Wilken and Mike Dixon, who came out victorious vs Nick Moore and Martin McGuinness in an entertaining final. A special mention went to our excellent young players Layla and Jemima Hinchcliffe and Riley McKenzie, all displaying very impressive skills. Players to watch for the future!
Box Leagues
These have again proved to be very popular throughout the year. Many thanks again to Christine Long for continuing to run these on our behalf.
If anyone wishes to join the Box Leagues, please contact Christine or any of the tennis committee.
Wivenhoe Winter League
We entered teams in the Men’s and Mixed categories in Winter 2023-2024, captained by Paul Rainer and Sherry Hodgson, respectively. The level of competition in this league is unpredictable with some teams fielding particularly strong teams. Our Men finished fourth whilst our Mixed team finished seventh.
This winter we have again entered teams for Men and Mixed, captained by Tony Gardner (Men’s captain) and Sherry Hodgson (Mixed captain). Results to date can be viewed here: Winter League 2024–25
Christmas Jumper Tournament – December 28th
We are now at capacity for our popular Christmas Jumper Tournament, our opportunity to to shake down the turkey, sweat out the mulled wine and get ourselves back on court after Christmas for a bit of bracing fresh air and fun tennis. If you have registered and can no longer make it or anything changes with your plans going forward, please do let Kevin know ASAP at easties@ntlworld.com, so those on the waiting list can take part.
Play will run from 9.30am to 11.30, weather permitting! Players are advised to turn up early for a probably much-needed warm-up and to allow us to start the matches on time. Matches will be along the lines of the usual Saturday morning format with players changing partners after every match. The club will be open for refreshments that morning.
If you would like to be added to the waiting list to enter, please do so by emailing Kevin Eastaugh at easties@ntlworld.com.
All successful entrants should have received a confirmation email response.
Club Sessions
Due to member feedback, we recently changed the time of the Wednesday evening club session to start at 6pm and run until 8pm.
Here’s a quick reminder of our club sessions and timings, which are of course open to all:
- Saturday Morning: 9.00am – 11.30am
- Saturday Morning: 11.30am – 12.30pm (Improvers Session)
- Sunday Morning: 11.00am – 12.30pm
- Tuesday Morning: 9.30am – 11.00am
- Wednesday Evening: 6.00pm – 8.00pm
Tennis Committee Vacancies
We are always pleased to hear from anyone who is interested in joining the Committee and we would like to appoint one or two new members to join us in 2025. We meet approximately once a month to ensure the smooth running of tennis activities. Committee members take on various actions such as arranging tournaments, box league and league matches, organising events and writing this newsletter! It’s a great opportunity to input into the running of the club and join an energetic team.
The committee currently consists of:
- Peter Halliday – Co-Chair
- Kevin Eastaugh – Co-Chair
- Tom Perry – Club Coach
- Angela Eastaugh – Safeguarding Officer
- Sarah Brockless – Secretary
- Anna Bisco
- Loess Overbury-Tapper
- Karen Ainley – a special welcome to Karen as our newest committee member
If you would like to be considered for a place on the tennis committee, application forms are available. We encourage anyone who might be interested to contact a current member of the committee to find out what is involved. We would be especially interested in hearing from any potential committee members who would be able to support with safeguarding. Our contact details are on the Tennis Noticeboard and in the Tennis Handbook.
Updated Court Booking Protocol
We have recently updated the protocol on booking courts as follows:
Tennis Committee Protocol on Booking and Using Courts
1. Playing members can only book courts within the normal period allowed by the booking system.
2. The only advance block bookings allowed are for club events such as matches and tournaments and for coaching, including team coaching. Such bookings can only be made by nominated members of the Tennis Committee, including the Coach.
3. The Club manager and immediate family will be able to use and book courts with the same rights and restrictions as other family playing members. This means they cannot reserve courts beyond the normal booking period. The Club Manager and their immediate family will also be
allowed to enter club competitions in the same way as other family playing members and represent the Club in teams and competitions.
4. In special circumstances, the Tennis Committee can allow the use of courts for a limited period to individual non-members whom the committee feel would benefit from the opportunity, and where the individual’s circumstances make it otherwise impossible. This privilege can only be exercised if no member wishes to book the court concerned at the
relevant time. Courts can only be booked via a committee member.
5. For one-off events involving non-members, an appropriate charging protocol needs to be agreed in advance of the event being agreed, with the tennis committee. Use should only be at a time when courts are not typically busy.
6. Individual Club members are limited to booking no more than two hours in any one day.
Defibrillator
Here is your regular important reminder we have a defibrillator stored behind the bar, and also one on the outside of the clubhouse. A defibrillator can help save the life of someone experiencing a sudden cardiac arrest. The defib is portable, easy to use, with clear step-by-step instructions.
Tennis Ball Recycling
We wanted to remind you that we have a facility for recycling used tennis balls. The box for this is positioned outside court 1. There is information inside about which balls can be accepted. They must have writing still visible, some fluff left and no felt pen initials – see the photos below for examples. Recycling these balls generates a small amount of income which the tennis committee will use on tennis events and equipment, so please do recycle your old balls when you have finished with them. Please make sure the lid is closed after use to keep the balls dry.
Many thanks to Ikuko White for starting and running this initiative.
Acceptable ball with fluff and writing
Unacceptable ball
