Despite everything that is going in the world, British tennis has received a massive boost this year with Emma Raducanu winning the US Open, and being voted the BBC's annual Sports Personality of the Year.

Not to be outdone, I thought we should celebrate our own achievements as, despite the difficulties, our club has battled through 2021 and had some significant successes both on and off the tennis courts.  So here is my version of Keswick & Braithwaite Tennis Club's 'Sports Personality of the Year’. 

January – The UK was locked down so no possibility of playing any tennis.  However club business continued with a new licence being agreed with Keswick Town Council so we have the certainty of the use of the Fitz Park grass courts until at least April 2026.

February – Still locked down but our application for a grant from the Allerdale Sports Development grant scheme to improve our facilities, covering weed barrier, path, coaching and equipment, was successful. 

1st award – Fundraisers of the Year – Sally and Rachel for their fantastic efforts not only in getting funding from Allerdale but also from the LTA and Braithwaite Institute for our improvement works 

March – Hooray, lockdown comes to and end so we could reopen the courts on 29 March and get back to playing tennis.

April – As restrictions were lifted it meant it was possible to start

• matches in the West Cumbria Tennis League and
• Gary's coaching programme covering all categories, Minis, juniors, rusty rackets, adults, teams, plus individual coaching.

May – League matches and social tennis continue.  Our membership (especially juniors) increases due in a large part to the interest in Gary's coaching. The final hurdle before our improvements could start was overcome when the Lake District National Park granted planning permission for the proposed works.

2nd award – Coach of the Year – Gary for his very successful introduction of a comprehensive coaching programme and particularly the junior sessions resulting in a junior membership of over 50 by the end of the year

June – Work on the new path and weed barriers was completed under the supervision of Ed.  Our first monthly fun tournament was held on the grass at Fitz Park, brilliantly organised by Martin particularly in ensuring it was a beautiful sunny day.

July – The mens and ladies doubles events in the West Cumbria Tennis League were completed.  Our ladies 1st team retained the trophy they won in 2019 (no event in 2020).  The mixed leagues start.

August – We were very pleased to entertain Dave Rawlinson, President of the LTA, plus several committee members from Cumbria LTA at both Braithwaite and Fitz Park to showcase how the funding they provided has gone towards improving our facilities.  A fun time was had by all, particularly when Dave joined in and introduced us to some new volleying games

September – The mixed leagues were completed.  Our 1st mixed team won the 1st division and our 2nd and 3rd teams performed admirably in the 2nd division.

October – The club held an end of season party at the bowls club. Attendees brought food to share to go with the drinks available at the bar.  A good time was had by all to celebrate a very successful summer season.  Our ladies played in the annual Cumbria Cup for winners of the various leagues in Cumbria.  A close match against a very strong Chatsworth team ended in a win for Chatsworth but our ladies showed the strength of tennis in West Cumbria.

3rd award – Team of the Year – Ladies 1st team for their brilliant performances in the West Cumbria Ladies League and the Cumbria Cup 

November – We entered 2 teams in the newly resurrected West Cumbria winter league to run from October to March.  The weather resulted in the postponement of several matches but we look forward to the second half of the season in the New Year.

December – Not much tennis as the weather deteriorated.  However, despite the increasing levels of Covid the Christmas party was held on 10 December at the bowls club.  Food was again provided by the attendees and another fun evening rounded off a strange but successful year for our club.

4th award –Keswick & Braithwaite Club Personality of the Year – Julie for leading the ladies 1st team and the 1st mixed team to the titles in their summer league leading to our ladies representing the West Cumbria league in the Cumbria Cup, and for all her work as Chairperson in organising the committee to help the club continue to grow and develop in what has been a difficult year

Happy Christmas to everyone and here's to a successful tennis year in 2022