AGM – Thursday 11th April 2019 – Church House 8pm
In attendance; Daren Coles (Chairman) Peter Toms (Men’s Team Captain), Paul Kaye (Treasurer) Clare Jackson (Mixed team Captain & Welfare Officer), Peter Venus (Social Secretary), Ollie Toms (Coach) Lynn Banks Lewis, Emlyn Pritchett, Keith Gummery, David Stark, Joan Gee, Paul Ellio, David Sargent
Apologies; Sue White, Sean Murphy & Hilary Johnson
The previous minutes were adopted and approved by the meeting; proposed by Lynne Banks Lewis and seconded by Peter Toms
Chairman’s report
We now have 55 (50 in 2017) Adult members, 16 48 players (25 players in 2017 ) Families, 9 (17 in 2017) juniors and 3 students (6 in 2017) . So juniors and students have shrunk but the actual numbers of players in the Family band has grown.
With our membership of the LTA we were fortunate to receive 5 pairs of Wimbledon tickets in the ballot.
Village car boot sale
The club took part in the village car boot sale. Fun day with a speed tennis stand; it was well supported on the day and helped the village. We received £275 from the fund.. We will be offering a Gaces Acre gardening group £200 to fund plantings around the tennis club entrance and the court boundary.
Great British Tennis Weekend 21st & 22nd July
The club participated in the LTA’s Great British tennis weekend in July offering tennis for Free for all. It was a great success with various sessions planned for all ages and experience.
Special thanks to Ollie Toms and Freddie Jones for running the training sessions for both days.
Xmas dinner
1st December – Debden Barnes
Social media WhatsApp –this has been a very useful tool for the membership – arranging matches and checking on court conditions. (21 subscribers)
Court – No treatment last year
Summer – Doubles Presidents cup & Golden Jubilee Trophy
Apologies no competition last year.
Xmas Competition (22rd December) won by Emlyn Pritchett & David Sargent Sebastian Pardoe and Clare Jackson – runners up.
A new key will be available to members, on surrender of the old key and their payment on Thursday May 2nd at Social Tennis. The key will also be available at the White Horse from 8-30 pm on that date.
Thanks
Paul Kaye – Taking on the Treasurers role
Peter Venus – for organising such a successful Xmas dinner at Debden Barns
Peter Toms & Clare Jackson for running our teams
Ollie Toms – for continuing to develop his coaching with us, in particular the juniors and term holiday sessions and competitions
.
Treasurers Report
Paul stated that the finances remain in good shape.
The club would continue with the strategy of half the subscription income to be invested per year, whilst the remaining funds will cover the standard operational costs of running the club.
The current court surface was discussed generally, and it was felt that we should investigate costs for a surface paint, as there are areas were the surface protection is looking distressed. The committee would investigate the LTA recommendation for court maintenance lifecycle which was presented by the Chairman.
Once a plan is agreed, then we will review memberships rates accordingly next year.
Team Captains report
Peter Toms (Men’s)
The men’s team continue to play in the Essex Small Clubs League.
The league is divided into a summer and winter session.
For the summer 2018 we played in the premier division against Dunmow, Stebbing, Much Hadham, Elsenham and Harlow. Dunmow won the league with 107 points and we came a creditable third with 61.
For winter 2018/19 we played in the first division against Bishops Stortford, Clavering, Harlow and Braintree and Henham. With a few matches still to play it looks like Stortford will win the league with us in second place.
Our premier league summer matches are due to start early May.
Thanks to all who took part
Clare Jackson (Mixed)
The Mixed Team continues to go from strength to strength. We were promoted to Division II for the 2018 summer season and won 7 of our 8 matches with the other resulting in a draw against main rivals Stebbing (2). We finished top of the league thus earning another promotion for Summer 2019. In total 10 different people played for the team and thank you all for your invaluable contribution.
We have just finished the winter season and with some initial trepidation, took on the big guns from Harlow, Dunmow, Stebbing, Stansted and Henham in the Premier division! With our own secret weapon Ollie Toms playing 5 of the 10 fixtures, we did well to win 6 matches, drawing 1 and losing 3, defeating some really good pairs in the process. Again huge thanks to the 8 members of the team – we have played some great tennis over the winter and can hold our heads high. We are currently top of the league having played all our matches. When all the scores are in, we should finish comfortably in the top half of the division – I am hoping for third place behind Dunmow and Henham but we will have to wait and see!
The 2019 summer season is just around the corner – we are in division 1 this time and our first match is at HOME on 27th April against old rivals Elsenham who are always very hard to beat!
Membership , Court Bookings & Match Fee’s
The Chairman informed the meeting that the booking system seems to be working well.
The financial situation of the club was agreed to be good and sound and so the meeting agreed that there was no need to increase membership rates. Therefore, for the forthcoming 2019/20 season the rate would remain the same
Membership
Adults-£40
Juniors (under 16) £12
Students over 16 and still studying £16.50
Family two adults, plus any child under 16 £92
Match fee’s
The meeting discussed the current match fees for players participating in mixed and Men’s matches. The rates is currently £2.50 for home and away, both captains agreed that it would be better to request match fee’s for home games only at a new rate of £3.
Social events
Xmas dinner
Peter Venus organised a very successful Xmas dinner at Elder Street Restaurant at Debden Barns (the Antique Centre the evening with great food and music accompanying the meal + some dancing. Peter agreed to arrange this year’s Xmas dinner.
Emlyn kindly offered to host a summer bbq to add to our social calendar..
Competitions 2019
Hospital cup
Sept – Doubles competition –date to be advised
Xmas Competition –date to be advised
Golden Jubilee trophy – date to be advised.
The meeting discussed other competition formats – ladders were considered, but this format does require some level of admin. So competitions would run as normal this year, however, the club would be open to any new ideas especially with anyone willing to help run them.
Wimbledon Ballot
5 pairs of tickets available
The draw took place in accordance with the LTA rules; as only opted in eligible members were able to participate.
Draw result
04-Jul Centre Clare Jackson; 09-Jul Centre Louis Cave; 01-Jul one Jo Gee; 13-Jul one James Stark;
04-Jul two Anoshka Nelson
Court Maintenance & Funding (grants)
As per Discussion in the Treasurers section a court maintenance plan will be completed this providing the club with a clear strategy / costing for the future.
Coaching
Report to added
Ollie Toms contact details
Telephone. 07917652014
Election of officers
The Chairman Daren Coles did declare that he may relinquish the role next year but would carry on this year (proposed and seconded by Clare J and Peter V) & Paul Kaye Treasurer proposed and seconded by David S and Peter T) were re-elected
Peter Venus agreed to arrange the Christmas dinner and Clare Jackson & Peter Toms agreed to carry on captaining the mixed and men’s teams respectfully.
AOB
Daren Coles stated that from this year onwards payment for membership would only be via credit / debit card as Cheques and Cash were becoming more difficult to manage.
David Stark asked if the club would be interested in fitting wind breaks on the south side fence (facing the Gaces acre) the meeting discussed the pros and con’s. By an informal vote (show if hands) it was rejected at this time..
Emlyn Pritchett – brought up a possible solution to the poor lighting in our small clubhouse. For a relatively low cost solar powered lights are now available -the club will investigate.
David Sargent – the clubhouse looks like it needs some paint treatment- everyone agreed so the club will arrange a working party to support the task this summer.
Daren Coles the court nets need replacing, the meeting agreed, so the club will proceed and replace the old nets which are now around 7 years old.
There being no further business the meeting closed at 9.20pm