A quick note on the Club strategy before we move onto the main event – Club Champs. The Committee is meeting regularly to discuss the Club strategy and is drawing heavily on the great feedback received in the recent survey. Please note that the EGM to present this strategy to all Club members will be held on the evening of Friday, 25th June. More details to follow but please hold the date in your diary. We would like as many members as possible to join the EGM particularly as there will be a number of items that we will be putting to a vote. 

Now - tennis is well and truly back!

Club Champs

Entries for Club Champs are NOW open for a 1st June start.

The following categories are open for registration. The closing date for registrations is 23rd May:

Drawn Comp

This is where you enter and the Club will draw your partner for you; it’s a great way to get to know others.

Doubles:       Mixed, Ladies and Men

Singles:         Ladies, Men and Men Vets - (60+)

Open Comp

This is where you and your partner enter as a team. 

Doubles        Mixed, Ladies and Men

The Improvers section will have one drawn doubles competition. However, anyone in the Improver section who would like to play in the singles will be entered in the main Club competition. 

The format for all matches will be two sets with a tie-break and will be run as a knock-out competition.

All entrants to the drawn doubles (including Improvers) who get knocked out in the first round will be entered into the Plate competition.   The plate competition will mix those from the Improver competition alongside players from the main Club competition so that all entrants play with somebody new.  This will also be run as a knock out competition. 

No-one can enter more than four events. 

Finals day: tentatively scheduled for 12th September so put it in your diary as we hope to have plenty of spectator activity alongside some great tennis. 

Registration link:  HERE

Box Leagues

Congratulations to the winners of the October-April round of the Doubles Box League:
Box 1 Geoff & Conrad Bier Allen
Box 2 Brian Stone & Duncan Howard
Box 3 John Wareham & Dave Seddon
Box 4 Martin & Margaret Allen
Box 5 Dean Austin & Rob Sweetman
Box 6 No winners!
Box 7 Hayley Kingdom & Heather Horwood

We'll be having a slight pause on the Doubles Box League as we sort out a few details for the summer.  The intention is to run the box leagues, but in a form that does not interfere with the Club Champs.  If you are interested in continuing/joining in the box league, please let Steve know (at stephen.spikings+boxleagues@gmail.com) so that you can receive a separate communication when the details have been sorted.

Also, a quick reminder that the current round of the Singles Box League will finish at the end of May.

Club Section American Tournament

The next American tournament will be held on the late May Bank Holiday, 31st May from 11.30am-1.30pm. Please message Karen Ferguson directly at Fergusons-39@ntlworld.com 

 or on 07507 670 455 if you would like to participate. Currently there is a limit of 20 players but the hope is that after the 17th May announcement it might be possible to increase this number. There will be a cost of £2 per person to cover the balls and prize. Fingers crossed for a lovely day!

Improvers Section American Tournament Plus More

An American tournament (picture above) was held at the beginning of May which involved 18 members who are part of our popular Improvers section. For many it was their first experience of this tournament and this format and it was very well received. Congratulations to Raj Patel who won the tube of balls for winning the most number of games. 
Additionally the group is hosting a friendly match scheduled for Monday 24th May vs Tring. It is the reverse fixture with Bovingdon hoping for revenge!

In April our Sunday Improver section saw six additional members joining the social, including three brand new members. There are now over 20 regulars attending this group. If you are someone newer to tennis, and would like to play some doubles and meet other members, please contact Rebecca rebrose11@sky.com 

Competitive Tennis

We have entered a men’s team and two ladies’ teams into the Hot Rackets league which, given the current situation this is being run as a series of friendly matches – if there is such a thing! All the information, including fixtures can be found on the website. 

The Watford District League is due to recommence in June. 

NEW Friday Social

Our new Friday morning social, which is a drop in session anytime from 10am, is a mixed-level social open to all members. It’s a great way to meet many of our newer members too. There is a group chat for this social so please let Jax know on jax.brabazon@gmail.com if you would like to be added.

Murder Mystery Social Tennis Event

April 9th reunited those who were part of our virtual Murder Mystery social event, this time without costumes! It was great fun and everyone agreed that we should do more of these going forward- hopefully with a BBQ and glass of something cold afterwards.

Membership

Thank you to you all - we had an excellent rate of renewal and have also attracted some new members. Welcome to all our new members – we hope to see you soon at some of the many social sessions and tournaments. If you would like to know more about the options for social tennis, please contact jax.brabazon@gmail.com who will outline the options and arrange to have you added to the relevant WhatsApp group(s). 

This year we have an additional membership package for those who are beginners or who have not played tennis in a number of years. This new-to-tennis taster package costs £20 and allows membership for two months allowing the individual to see if they enjoy tennis before committing to an annual membership on which there is a 25% discount. Do tell any friends who you have been encouraging to take up this great sport!

COVID Update

The Committee would like to thank members for their continued co-operation in following the guidelines for play at the Club. Given the progress being made on COVID-19 in the community the Committee will review our risk assessments and arrangements for opening up more fully over the course of the next few weeks in line with government and LTA guidance.   With reviews due on 17th May and 21st June there is a reasonable expectation that there will be updates issued around these dates. 

In the meantime, please note that until the rules are updated, please continue to register your presence at the Club using the QR code, the link on the website or in the WhatsApp chats and to sanitize your hands on arrival at and departure from the Club. Please continue to use of the Clubhouse only to visit the bathroom, to wear a mask while in the Clubhouse and to enter your details on the indoor log. 

Diary Dates & Important Information

Deadline for entries to Club Champs: Wednesday, 23rd May 2021

Club American Tournament: Monday, 31st May 2021

Deadline for Singles Box League: Monday, 31st May 2021

Club Champs Kick-Off: Tuesday, 1st June 2021

EGM: Friday, 25th June 2021

Club Champs Finals Day: Sunday, 12th September 2021

Defibrillator Code:  C159

Clubhouse NEW Key Lock Code: 1969 (with immediate effect)

NB - Please note that for insurance purposes the Clubhouse Key Lock Code must be changed regularly. This will change each month and the new code published in the monthly newsletter.

New Login to ClubSpark

You will have received an email from the LTA saying that all ClubSpark users will be asked to login to ClubSpark using their LTA login. While this rollout started yesterday it has now been pushed back but it is expected to restart soon. If you are not a member of the LTA you will be prompted to create an account. If you are unsure as to whether or not you are registered with the LTA, please check with Jax at jax.brabazon@gmail.com before creating a new account as two LTA accounts could cause you issues in the future. Please also remember affiliate yourself with Bovingdon & Flaunden Tennis Club. Thank you! 

Feedback

As always, if you have any questions, comments or feedback please send an email to the Committee at committeebftc@btinternet.com  Details of the individual Committee members and their areas of responsibility can be found here if you would rather contact them direct. 

Look forward to seeing you on court!