We are proud to announce that Woore Tennis Club Chairman, Nigel Stonier has been named The LTA Shropshire Volunteer of the Year.

Nigel has provided leadership throughout an extremely difficult year, taking the time to call all Club members at least five times during the lockdown period and keeping everyone informed with regular email updates.

As Covid-19 requirements became clear via the LTA website Nigel led the committee via a WhatsApp forum in the implementation of all requirements including buffers, sanitizing equipment, cleaning rotas, signing in book etc. creating a Covid-secure environment for our members.

When members were hesitant about coming back to play Nigel encouraged and reassured that the Club was, at all times, compliant with LTA requirements, indeed more stringent in some cases.

In July Nigel completed a “Chairman’s Challenge” playing tennis non-stop for 12 hours with around 40 members of the Club and raising almost £3,000 for Club funds through donations.

At a time when fundraising opportunities are extremely limited this was an inspired and creative approach, entirely self-generated, bringing members together in support and setting a great example in leading dynamically from the front.