On Saturday 22nd October we held our first ever Club Dinner & Awards Evening.
It was a wonderful evening full of superb witty speeches from all of our guest speakers, lovely food and a brilliant atmosphere!
Congratulations to all of our award winners and Club Champs.
Award Winners
Most Improved Female - "It can be daunting to go to your first club session, but this person has recently jumped right into as many things as possible, attended every coaching session available to her and is practicing whenever she gets the chance." - Ruipeng Sweeting
Most Improved Male - "Puts his hand up for any opportunity to play and grow as a player. He may well be a little over enthusiastic at the net sometimes, but he is by far our most improved male." - Graham Bartlett
Most Improved Junior + Dedication to Tennis - "Has improved greatly over the last year, and has shown dedication to tennis through volunteering as an assistant coach and being a good role model to younger players." - Dylan Harvey
Wimbledon Social Tournament – Graham Bartlett & Ruipeng Sweeting
Change of mind award – "This goes to someone who wanted to step back last year and retire from organising. They wanted some time off. Only to sign up as mixed doubles captain for not one, but two teams & a cup team!" - Gill Woodyear
Injury of the year award – "Many many contenders! But with her snapped achilles heel." - Rachael Tew
Supporter of the year - "Ever present whenever I played home or away in the mixed. A very nice young man and half of our own Posh and Becks!" - James Bainbridge
Rainy weather complainer - "A spot of drizzle compared to a monsoon!" - Stewart Barnes
The Club Championships
Womens Singles
Finalists were Barbara Bultmann & Zoe Smith
Winner - Zoe Smith
Mens Singles
Finalists Stewart Barnes & Richard Holman
Winner - Stewart Barnes
Mens Doubles
Stewart Barnes & Phil Davis v Rob Uzell & Joe Woodyear -dubbed the battle of the ages,
Winners - Stewart Barnes and Phil Davis
Womens Doubles
Gill Woodyear & Margaret Hammond v Liz Pearce and Jackie Rundle
Winners - Gill Woodyear and Margaret Hammond
Mixed Doubles
Richard Holman & Jane Jordan v Gill & Clive Woodyear
Winners - Jane Jordan & Richard Holman
Final Thanks from Chariman Richard Holman
Thank you to all those who attended our dinner and awards evening on the 26th.
A special mention to Jane, Laura & Stewart. We are lucky to have Laura as our Club Coach and that she doesn't go overseas in the winter, and we are very lucky that Stewart has established the winter leagues and club champs. Jane Jordan doesn’t stop for a drop in temperature, and so our Monday and Saturday sessions will continue. Plus of course the main winter sport of watching 30 intelligent people on whatsapp groups, as poor Jane tries to get 4 people to agree and stick to one time!!
All of three of the people mentioned, I will come back to, but we are extremely lucky to have them at our club & I would like to acknowledge the time they do and extend my personal appreciation.
To all of our Club Committee -
Wendy for the social tournament
Jackie Rundle for communicating to you all
Simon Pearson for ensuring all members pay and new ones are enrolled
Karen Jaggs for ensuring we are compliant on important things
Finally, I would like to make special mention of Stewart. What he does for all of you may well not be known. But our courts are looked after & repaired by him. He added new netting so you don’t lose so many balls. He was fixing a net today & he is presently taking on The LTA and their box leagues system. Thank you from all of us.