Alan has been with Somer Valley Tennis for only 8 years but it feels like he has been with us for many more.   He is the epitome of what a caring, supportive and enthusiastic volunteer and club member should be.

Arriving to a club session 8 years ago from a coaching referral, Alan having recently retired, admitted to multiple health issues that needed to be addressed, but with regular gym visits, playing tennis several times a week, these were all quickly brought under control.

Alan was voted as SVT ‘club person of the year’ in 2018, voted by the members and stepped up to the committee in 2020.  Since then, Alan is on the nomination  list every year for this prestigious club award.

Starting as ‘just’ a committee member with no responsibility, he quickly found his niche by becoming the welcoming person to new members, looking after our recycling of balls and encouraging anyone who would listen to him that tennis was definitely a ‘sport for all’! 

Living in Farmborough, his local village tennis court was brought back into operation in 2021 and Alan is now actively involved in its upkeep, changing of the gate code and being the single point of contact for the village community.

There are no words that can sum up Alan and his commitment and compassion, without volunteers like Alan, clubs like ours would not function and in January 2025 he was awarded an Unsung Hero award from Avon Tennis LTA, he is without doubt one of our Unsung Hero's of Somer Valley Tennis Club.