FRLTC Autumn Newsletter

FRLTC has gone from strength to strength over the summer! Some highlights:

• 7 Weald League Teams playing in different divisions in the mens’, ladies’, and mixed doubles competitions.
• Frantic activity on the ladder, often with many matches and ladder updates each day!  Contact Dimitris if you wish to join in (07528 057 311).
• The annual knock-out tournament nears completion. The Ladies’ doubles final is on 11/10/24 at 2 p.m. Dates for the Ladies’ singles and Mens’ doubles finals are TBC shortly.
• The Humphries’ Cup tournament day was a great success and was much enjoyed by players and spectators, who took delight not only in watching some great tennis, but also hearing Mike and Ann Humphries’ stories about the Club.

Forthcoming Social Events

October. Thursday 17th Pavilion Bar upstairs for a game’s night. The bar will be manned by Robbie. 7-9.30 p.m. All members, friends and family welcome.

November. Friday 15th “Club Dinner” at The Three Crowns, Ashurst Wood. Our main season-end get-together. We present the tournament awards and say a few words of thanks. Details to follow shortly.

December. Thursday 5th “Lights, camera, Action” Mulled wine, Christmas nibbles and Tennis to music. All welcome including non-players. Festive wear optional!

Weald League

Weald League matches continue through the winter, with fixtures re-starting in the next few weeks. If you wish to find out about joining a team, please contact the relevant captain below. Matches are normally played on Saturday and Sunday mornings and involve two pairs from FRLTC playing two pairs from another local club (four rubbers in total). This is competitive doubles tennis played in a friendly spirit. The over 55 teams play during the week.

Mens: Dimitris  Vaxevanakis 07528 057 311

Mixed A: Julie Ennis 07771 631 906

Mixed B: Angus Jeffery 07720 401 396

Ladies: Kate Bryant 07572 286 686

Over 55 Ladies: Nicky Drysdale 07759 493 765

Over 55 Mens: Marc ter Kuile 07590 673 598

Safeguarding

Our new Welfare Officer is Heather Ferreira-Cole (07952 777 418). Heather has attended LTA and NSPCC courses on Safeguarding. If you have a welfare concern for an individual of any age within our club, please get in touch with Heather for confidential advice.

Autumn Maintenance

We will be drawing up a rota for leaf sweeping to make sure the courts are well maintained over the winter months. We have a leaf blower in the cupboard which can be used at any time by members. Instructions for the blower are on the club notice board. The rota will be pinned up on a notice board in the club room and circulated by email.

Alan Ennis co-ordinates a maintenance group who undertake specific repairs required to the courts (nets, side-netting, etc.). If you like fixing things, please get in touch to volunteer!

Club Sessions

Currently:

5-7 p.m. Tuesdays, open to all players

7-9 p.m. Tuesdays, for more advanced players by invitation.

Thursdays 6-8 p.m., open to all players.

Sunday 10 a.m. – 1 p.m., open to all players, often with tea, coffee, cake and chat.

If you feel ready for the Tuesday 7-9 p.m. session please contact David 07986 710 631 and arrange to be “played in”.

When floodlights are needed for an evening session £1 per person to cover lighting costs, payable that evening in cash or online (no exceptions!).

The Committee is reviewing club sessions and is considering starting a family / teenage session next Spring and also a weekday daytime session open to all.

Do get in touch with the committee if you have ideas about Club Sessions, and also if would like to assist in getting these sessions off the ground.

WhatsApp Social Tennis Group

This WhatsApp group is for anyone to ask anyone to play. Please contact a committee member to be added. It’s handy for finding a game at the last minute or keenness for the evening club sessions when the weather is dicey.

General Reminders

Guest fees. It is wonderful to see so many guests being brought to the club. Please remember to pay the £5 fee into the wall safe with a note or pay on-line (details on the website).

Floodlights. Any member may use the lights at £3 an hour (£1 for 20 minutes) payable with £1 coins into the meters on the wall to right of the sink in the Club Room. The lights flicker before switching off to give you time to replenish the meter!

Lost property. There is a box under the bench in the Club Room, or it is hung up. Periodically, notice of 2 weeks is given then any unclaimed items are washed and taken to “Second Life” charity shop in the village.

Coaching. George Ross, our Head Coach, has run a very busy programme of summer camps which were well attended. During term time there are regular group coaching sessions suitable for all levels and ages. Details to be found on George Ross’s website. www.rosstenniscoaching.co.uk/   07920 779 386