Social Play

Social Tennis sessions are held on Saturday afternoons and Tuesday evenings. Simply turn up and play – without the hassle of having to arrange a partner or four.

It’s a great way to discover new opponents or meet up with players you already know. The simple principle of “next four waiting go on” means everyone gets to a experience a variety of tennis standards and styles. The Club provides the balls and lights if needed.

Social tennis is open to all Adult full members and some Juniors who the coaches have assessed as being of the appropriate standard.

If you want to be added to the social players WhatsApp group, contact the social secretary, Kim Queree.  Marc, the coach, can also add you! 

 

Timetable

Social play takes place during the following hours:

  • Tuesdays:    6 - 8pm on all courts, with one court booked until 9pm. 
  • Saturdays:   1.00 - 2pm juniors
                          2.00 - 5pm adults.
  • Bank holidays: 2.00pm until dark.

(NB above times are during British Summer Time. During GMT, all times move to one hour earlier. Note that on Tuesdays during the winter, the Winter League competition - see below - is played from 7pm.)

 

Social Session Rules and Etiquette

  • Have fun. After all it's a social tennis session!
  • There is no seeding for ability – the next four available should play and, where possible, play mixed doubles.
  • Format is 9 games, with a sudden death (receiver's choice) point at first deuce.
  • The Committee have been asked for clarification on order of play priorities at Club Sessions. The Committee would prefer not to be too prescriptive and hope that members can agree between themselves.

For example, if someone has had only one set and has been waiting in the Clubhouse for half an hour, it would make sense for them to play before someone who turned up 2 minutes ago. Equally if someone has had 3 sets and has not been waiting long, it would seem courteous to let someone go on who hasn’t yet played.

  • However, if players can’t agree, a player already waiting should have priority over one who has just arrived.

 

Winter League

From mid-October to the end of March (and arrival of Summer Time), the internal "Winter League" is played from 7pm on Tuesdays. Members who wish to play sign up and are split into four teams of 8-12. Each week two men and two women play a total of six sets - one men's doubles, one women's doubles, four mixed (with each partner) against one of the other three teams. The set count goes toward a total which grows each week. The idea though is to have fun and enjoy playing with players who are both better and worse than you through the winter!