Dear Norfolk tennis community,

As we look ahead to the new year, I want to share an important update and set out a clear direction for Norfolk Tennis. We see 2026 as a reset year for the County — one that is both necessary and full of opportunity.

As part of a strategic shift, the LTA has asked each County in 2026 to place a greater focus on competition opportunities and 10 & Under player development. Norfolk Tennis has already increased its focus in both areas during 2025, and I would like to thank every member of the Management Committee for their continued hard work and commitment.

There has been clear growth in competition delivered directly within Norfolk’s clubs and venues. This includes internal tournaments — such as the welcome return of junior and adult Club Championships, many of which had been mothballed since COVID-19 — alongside the staging of open events for first-time participants. Together, these provide important stepping stones into many of the County’s long-standing and historic tournaments.

Clubs, venues and coaches have also engaged more with local schools across Norfolk, introducing new participants to the sport. Participation numbers have grown at the County Tennis Championships, which will soon celebrate their 100th edition. In addition, the appeal of padel — locally and nationally — has created opportunities for all ages to experience another racquet sport, with the first Norfolk County Padel Championships held in 2025.

With a new operator at Easton Tennis Centre in 2026, which boasts eight indoor courts and four clay courts, there is an opportunity to re-align the County and re-establish the venue as a coaching, participation and competition hub for tennis — and potentially padel in the future — serving players across Norfolk and the East region.

The next 12 months therefore mark a timely opportunity for everyone to unite, share ideas, align pathways and collectively build clear, accessible opportunities for players at every stage of their development. As the old LTA campaign asked, ‘What’s Your Wimbledon?’ — a question that will mean something different to everyone.

Having recently become a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO), Norfolk Tennis will undertake both a financial and governance review in 2026. This will ensure the County operates transparently, sustainably, and in a way that best serves players, parents, coaches and clubs and venues across Norfolk.

With six months remaining of the 2025/26 junior County season (from 1 January to 30 June 2026), Chris Stocker will operate as Norfolk’s 10 & Under Junior Team Manager, and Nicky Crawley — a long-standing County captain — will act as the 11–18 Junior Tennis Manager. As part of the reset year, Norfolk Tennis will advertise all paid contractor roles in March 2026, with the intention that successful applicants begin from 1 July 2026. This approach is designed to strengthen Norfolk Tennis for the years ahead.

Thank you for your continued commitment to tennis in Norfolk. Let us all work together in 2026 to reset, refocus and move tennis forward across our County.

I wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

James Buddell
Chairperson, Norfolk Tennis