RATC AutumnWinter Newsletter 2025❄️

It’s been a fantastic Summer season at the club and now with the nights drawing in we find ourselves firmly in the Autumn months heading into Winter.  Here are some of the highlights of the Summer for our adult and junior players and what’s yet to come.

🏆 LTA Grade 5 Tournament – A Club First

We were thrilled to host our first ever LTA Grade 5 Adult & Junior Tournament at the beginning of September. As well as our own members we welcomed players from all over Scotland to the club for this event, it was a fantastic showcase for our club.

A huge thank you to everyone who helped organise this event, to the scorers, the bakers, to EVERYONE - who gave their time over the course of the 2 days.  To be honest there are too many to name but we know who you are and you all helped make this event possible THANK YOU.

We hope this will be the first of many LTA-sanctioned tournaments to come.

👑 Club Championships – Congratulations to Our Winners

The Club Championships concluded with some truly nail biting matches. Some players were even competing in as many as 3 matches on the day!  It was great to see so many come to spectate, even the weather played ball until the very last minute.

Congratulations to everyone who took part but  especially to our champions.
Please see full set of results attached

🏍️ Harley Davidson Fundraiser – A Roaring Success

We’re delighted  to report that our Fundraiser at this year’s Thunder in the Glens was a fantastic success and we managed to raise £593.12 for the ongoing development of the club.

Once again a special thanks to everyone who donated a bottle - or 2 or 3 or 4!  And to those who organised and helped out on the day.  

If anyone has any suggestions on other fund raising activities we could be doing, speak to a member of the committee, we want to hear your suggestions.

📦 Box League – First Round is Underway

The first round of the Box Leagues in mixed doubles and singles kicked off 15th September, there’s a new extended deadline to play your matches by and that’s 17th November.  Once you have played a match, please send all results to Eve.  

As soon as the first round is over a new one starts so if you fancy entering, get in touch with Eve to let her know.

The Box League is a great way to keep playing through the winter months and an opportunity to meet other players in the club.  Open to all skill levels.

🌟 Junior Players Update from Coach Stephen

Over the past few weeks some of the club's junior U12 & U9 players have been participating in highland leagues.  For a couple of the players this was their first experience of competitive tennis.

The club's U9 team came 3rd in its Highland group playing against Bellfield Park, Tain & Grantown. All the players who participated in the team won matches showcasing their skills learned in coaching sessions. Also all players improved their scorekeeping and match skills to allow them to have less umpire/parent involvement

Our U12 team played matches against Grantown, Tain & Forres and even though usually without a full team of players each player managed to win some matches. The team had their first doubles matchplay experience and won the majority of these matches showcasing excellent team work on court.

Well done to all the players involved in the league matches and thank you to all the parents in taking the players to the matches and helping provide welcoming match teas at our home matches.  You’ve done the club proud!

The club is running a tennis camp during the October holidays from Mon 20th - Wed 23rd, 9.30am-12.30pm.  A great way to stay active during the holidays!   All dates are bookable through the club website.

🛡️ Safeguarding 

The wellbeing of our players is our top priority. A reminder Fiona Clarke is the club Welfare Officer. Fiona is available to support both adults and juniors with any safeguarding concerns or welfare issues. 

You can contact her confidentially at:
📧 f_clarke24@hotmail.com
📞 07757495374

We are committed to ensuring that our club remains a safe, inclusive and welcoming space for everyone.

👗 Frock Swap – Tickets on Sale Now

We're excited to be holding Frock Swap again this year. 

It takes place Friday 14th November at 7pm - tickets £10 per person which are available to purchase from any member of the committee.

Frock Swap is a fun, social evening.  The concept is simple: bring 3 items of clothing, shoes or accessories and take away 3 new/ish items.  All friends, family & colleagues welcome.

🍔🎾 American Tournament & BBQ – Monthly

The American Tournaments & BBQ  will continue through the autumn on the last Sunday of every month- weather permitting. These mixed-format tournaments are a brilliant way to play fun, social tennis and everyone is welcome to join in. No need for a partner, just turn up by 11am on the day to register.

We’ll also be continuing our mid(ish)-month American Tournaments, once again -weather permitting.  Keep an eye on the Club Sessions Whatsapp group & Facebook page for updates.

🙏 Thank You

Once again– a massive thank you to everyone who gave up their time to help run events, coach, maintain the courts, organise socials or support the club in any way.
Your efforts are what keep this club running and growing. If you have any suggestions on how we could make the club even better, we want to hear from you, please speak to a member of the committee.

Your Committee:

Fiona Clarke, Yvonne Birnie, Jenny Sime, Jo Evans, David Hannah, Nick Morgan, Eve Wilkinson, Anne-Marie Phimister, LJ Fishpool & Dave MacLennan

Here’s to a strong finish to 2025 and an even better 2026 season ahead. 

See you on court!