Colden Common Tennis Club recently marked an important moment as we said thank you to our long-serving Chairman and welcomed a new one.
After 10 years as our Chairman, Amanda James has stepped down from her role. Reflecting on her time at the club, Amanda shared:
“I feel it is time for me to step down as Chairman and pass the role to someone who can drive the Club forward into its next stage of flourishing. I have enjoyed being on the Committee for over 10 years, from the planning and inception of the Club to the day-to-day running, and I am immensely proud of what we have achieved. Here’s to many happy and healthy years of tennis ahead!”
On behalf of the Committee and club members, Kin Lee responded with a heartfelt tribute:
“I first met Amanda at a Barn Dance fundraiser in 2016. The community hall was decked out with colourful bunting and straw bales, all to raise funds to build our Tennis Club.
Back in 2015, Gary Waughman approached Colden Common Parish Council with a proposal to use the two old, seldom-used concrete courts to open a tennis school. Instead, thanks to the enthusiasm of several tennis-loving councillors, the vision grew into building a tennis club for the whole community.
Astonishingly, the courts opened just 18 months later, in October 2016. In that short time, people like Rob Veck, Mark Vidler, Mark Ashthorpe, David Harwood, Peter Brown – and Amanda – helped organise countless fundraising events, from Race Nights and Quiz Nights to a 24-hour Tennis Marathon.
They walked door to door across Colden Common and surrounding villages, delivering over 2,000 leaflets. There were sponsorships and loans to secure, constitutions to write, prices to agree, and websites to build.
Soon after, Amanda took on the role of Chairman and went on to guide the club through social events, annual tournaments, and major improvements including floodlights, the clubhouse, and CCTV. She cared deeply and gave so much love to the club. We owe Amanda enormous thanks for her devotion over the last 10 years. Simply – thank you.”
CCTC looks forward to its next chapter while celebrating the dedication and community spirit that has brought the club to where it is today. As we thank Amanda for her incredible contribution, we also warmly welcome our new Committee and wish them every success as they lead CCTC into the future.
New Committee
Chairman – Kin Lee / Treasurer and Vice Chairman – Mark Vidler / Secretary – David Harwood / Membership Secretary – Kin Lee / Match Secretary – James Moore / Social Media – Sophie Gunning / Welfare Officer – Mark Forbes / Committee Member – Simon Lawson
Pic. Left to Right are Comittee Members Sophie, Henry (Club Member), David, Mark V, Kin and James celebrating new Chairman Kin's 70th birthday.
