In  late January 2022, a members survey was sent out to 127 email addresses (for 176 adult members) and 40 were completed. 

The link here  will open up a pdf file with the full results - statistical and textual.

However, the overwhelming response was of members feeling: very positive about the club: its friendly atmosphere:, the quality of the tennis, and the location and standard of the courts.

Other headlines were, for members who answered the question, that they wanted: floodlights (93%); club sessions timed (62%) and organised (62%); and, to support juniors to join the club (83%).

NB       Revised guidelines for Club Sessions are being drawn up to reflect the above and comments from members; results were inconclusive in respect to morning and/or afternoon session so the existing system of one club session a month in the morning will be continued, and by popular demand, afternoon teas will be reinstated with a tea rota from the beginning of the season.

The committee is also pursuing various facilities initiatives as follows:

• Access to toilets: it would be very hard to have toilets at the Club House but we are in discussion with getting access to the Referee’s room at the Sports Pavilion which has its own outside door. However this would adding a facility to turnoff the alarm at that door, otherwise people would have to enter through the main Pavilion door which would make using the toilets quite a palaver.  We are also investigating access to the public toilets at the Duchy Barn which are closed at 6 p.m..
• Hitting Wall and Ball Machine received a positive response and Russell and Steve are investigating options and costings to feed back to the next committee meeting on 11th April.

The Committee held a special meeting to further analyse the results and they identified the following priorities and actions:

 Immediate Priorities

• Dip: fix temporarily if a permanent solution can’t be done for start of the season – quotes have been requested from two contractors
• Floodlights: draw up and carry out a plan to light the courts – first step is to find out from Colchester Borough Council Planning Department what options are possible
• Club Sessions: improve/refine/increase attendance – two committee members have been identified to lead a start and finish group (to include non committee members – see below)
• Results of survey and Strategic Plan: report back to members – this email and attachments are part of this process

Secondary Priorities

• Membership: increase membership and engagement – most of the initiatives in the action plan will have a beneficial impact on this
• Juniors: integration and development - two committee members have been identified to lead a start and finish group (to include non committee members – see action plan below)
• Competitive success: for teams and individuals. – Captains’ Committee to discuss and make suggestions
• Social tennis: tournaments/events held, enjoyed and well attended - two committee members have been identified to lead a start and finish group (to include non committee members – see action Plan  below)
• Committee development: active and vibrant committee – hopefully the engagement of non committee members in the Start and Finish groups will have a positive impact on this
• Contribution of members: extend their engagement in developing/running of the club - two committee members have been identified to lead a start and finish group (to include non committee members – see below)

The expectation is that, by the end of the year, and with your help, these priorities will have been successfully achieved.

Agreed Action Plan – below

Please can all members note the Start & Finish Groups where the idea is that this is the opportunity for non committee members to be involved in helping the club develop.  Please see if there is a group that you feel you could help with and contact the relevant Committee members or reply to this email.

In particular, we have identified a particular need for someone (or more than one) to help us make the most of our digital communications, such as our website and social media. These are key areas to help us boost our engagement with the local community - and potential new members - and is something we’re lacking at the moment.

We’d really welcome your help.

As always, if you have any thoughts, ideas or offer of help, please do not hesitate to contact your Committee.

26th February 2022