Club News

Just a note to say that Peter Richardson will be organising a maintenance morning for Sunday 4th August. Jobs will be allocated on arrival! We are always grateful for any offers of help members can provide in assisting Peter with making sure the club is kept looking it’s best at all times.

Preparations are now in full swing, ahead of the Littledown Family Day on Sunday 28th July, 11am – 4pm. This will provide a great chance for people to see what a fantastic club we are and to learn more about the different opportunities we provide for both members and non-members alike.

We are still on the lookout for offers of help throughout the day which will include talking to visitors and providing information about the club, as well as assisting our coaches with fun tennis games and demonstrations. Again, if there are any members, especially junior members, who are willing to spare an hour or two of their time, please get in touch with Dave, the coaching team, or myself, if you would like to get involved.

A further reminder to members, that on Saturday 20th July, the club will be taking part in the LTA Great British Tennis Weekend. The aim of this event is to encourage more people to get involved playing tennis, as well as taking the opportunity to showcase what our club has to offer. The club will be running a three hour session from 10am – 1pm, which will involve a range of activities, including junior and mini tennis, cardio tennis, disability tennis, as well as free use of the facilities for all the family to enjoy.

We would really appreciate it if any members, particularly junior members, would be willing to help Dave and the coaching team run any of the activities throughout the session, or to offer any general help when required. Please either speak to Dave and his coaching team or drop me an email andrewking31@virginmedia.com if you are happy to help in any way.

Southbourne Tennis Club will once again be taking part in the Great British Tennis Weekend. This is a national event, run on behalf of the LTA, with the aim of encouraging more people to get playing tennis. The club will be running a three hour programme of events on Saturday 20th July, 10am – 1pm, which will involve a range of activities, including junior and mini tennis, cardio tennis, disability tennis, as well as free use of the facilities for all to enjoy.

If any members are willing to help Dave and the coaching team run any of the sessions throughout the day, or to offer help with signing people in, that would be great. Please speak to Dave and his team should you wish to get involved or for more information.

A big thank you to everyone who came and supported our Members Fun Day. Despite the intense heat, it didn’t put people off attending and taking part in the many activities on offer throughout, what was a very enjoyable day.

Another big thank you to those members who all bought tickets and supported the club, by entering our raffle to win the use of a beach hut for a week. In total we raised a magnificent £227! Your support is very much appreciated. To conclude our fun day, the draw was made to reveal our lucky winner. Congratulations to Aidan Foy who wins this fantastic prize!

The club are excited to announce that we will be taking part in the Littledown Family Day on Sunday 28th July between 11am – 4pm. This will provide a great chance for people to see what a fantastic club we are and to learn more about the different opportunities we provide for both members and non-members alike. Preparations are still ongoing. However, we will be looking for offers of help throughout the day. This will include talking to visitors and providing information about the club, as well as assisting our coaches with fun tennis games and demonstrations. Again please speak to Dave, the coaching team, or myself, should this be something you might like to get involved with.

Don’t forget there is still time to sign-up for our Wimbledon Fun Tournament this coming Sunday 7th July, 10am -12noon. I would be grateful if members that are intending to play could sign up, as soon as possible, to ensure the tournament can go ahead as planned. Please note: Wooden rackets for this tournament can be supplied if needed! £5 entry to include cream tea refreshments!

A polite reminder to all members that our FREE, yes that’s FREE, Members Fun Day, will be taking place this coming Saturday, 29th June, from 12.30pm. Bring along your friends and family to enjoy an afternoon of activities including: The speed gun…you think you’ve got the quickest serve? Measure it with the speed gun to find out! Demo the latest rackets, ball machine, win fantastic prizes, experience disability coaching and of course, not forgetting our coaches exhibition match which you won’t want to miss. Refreshments served all day, including BBQ at small additional cost. We look forward to seeing you there!

Held 9th June

Huge thanks to those who took part! Keith was kept out of trouble painting fences.  The patio was tidied and we started a deep clean in the mens’ changing rooms, Ladies and Disabled to be done shortly.

Celia has kindly provided news of what happened with our club tennis teams in May. You can view this here.

Hello and welcome from your new Social Secretary!

Before I go on to tell you about our fantastic raffle prize, I first just wanted to take this opportunity to introduce myself and to say a huge thank you, on behalf of everyone at the club, to my predecessor, Sarah Stout, for all her time and energy as social secretary. I know she will be greatly missed by all on the committee. Fortunately for me, Sarah has kindly agreed to help as I get familiar with the role. I have very big shoes to fill!!!

Also a big thank you to those members who currently volunteer their time to help run events at the club. It is very much appreciated. I am hoping to expand the list of helpers, so if anyone else can spare an hour or two of their time, that would be great!

In order to have a mix of different social events, which appeal to as many members as possible, I am always keen to hear your suggestions. Please email me at andrewking31@virginmedia.com with any ideas you may have.

One of our members, Colin Gilbey, has kindly donated the use of his Beach Hut for a week (Saturday 27th July – Saturday 3rd August 2019) as a raffle prize.

Situated between Manor Steps and Portman Ravine, the hut comes complete with the use of: 2 Sun Loungers, 2 Reclining Chairs, 2 Plastic Chairs, 2 Parasols, 2 Hob Gas Ring, Wind Break (and hammer!) Tea, coffee and sugar are also provided!

To be in with a chance of winning this much sought after prize, raffle tickets can be purchased from the clubhouse at £5 a strip.

The lucky winner will be announced at the forthcoming Members Open Day on Saturday 29th June 2019.

Thank you to Jan Lawson for sourcing new door mats. This is much appreciated and will hopefully help with the endless task of trying to keep the sand outside.

Peter Richardson will be running another maintenance morning on Sunday, 9 June so put the date in your diary if you can spare a half hour or so to pop along and help out with a chore or two in and around the club house. Thanks again to the volunteers who painted the fence last weekend. It’s looking very smart.

Here is a reminder to members of the fixed club playing times for red, green and team players.

Red members morning session – Tuesdays 9 – 11am
Green members morning session – Mondays – 10-12am

Red members club night – Thursdays 6-8pm
Green members club night – wednesdays 6-8pm

Red and green mixed club session – Friday 9-11am and Sunday -10-12pm

Team players only session – Monday 7-9pm

A gentle reminder that Colin Gilbey and Paul Woods are hosting a fun tournament 10-12 on Sunday, 2 June in place of the usual Sunday club session. Demand for the tournament has been high so currently they expect to use the 5 available courts for the tournament. Therefore the usual Sunday morning session/courts will not be available that week.

Please allow me to welcome, on behalf of all the committee, our two new committee members:

Andrew King – Social Secretary
Carolyn Day – Treasurer

Thank you to both of you for agreeing to give your time to the club and become members of the committee. We’re all sure you’ll both be excellent in your new roles!

A huge thank you to Martin Cavey who has served on the committee for eight years. Your time and commitment as Treasurer is greatly appreciated.

I have stood down as social secretary however I will stay on unofficially (although not on the committee) as junior social secretary. Andrew and I will be working out how best to share the role going forward. If anyone would like to offer time, energy and ideas to social events, please do contact us as Andrew will be looking to get an idea of who is interested in contributing to social events over the next few months.

Sunday 2nd June 09.45 – Midday. To be followed by baguettes, various cheeses, ham, wine, soft drinks & other delicious nibbles.

Numbers limited so sign up quickly to avoid disappointment. Sign-up sheet in the clubhouse.

Cost £5 per entrant.

Summary of rules:

Doubles, initial partners drawn from hat, 15 mins timed play, winners move up one court and split up, losers stay on same court and split. Total six matches to be played

Note – normal Sunday morning Club Open session will be suspended.

Do you or any one you know have skills to help us think through a makeover for the clubhouse?

If you know about interior or exterior design, architecture, construction or just a flair for making a little money go a long way, we need your help.

We are looking for things we can do simply, easily and cheaply to make the clubhouse a more sociable space, useable by as many groups in the club as possible.

Not got much time? Don’t worry a quick chat and a few ideas will do. More time? Help us get stuck in and make some changes.

Please ring Richard on 07831 657145 or drop him an email at richard.dear@btinternet.com

Please note that there will be a maintenance morning this Sunday from 10am, weather permitting.

Peter plans to paint the fence so if you’re able to spare a half hour to pop along and assist, all help is always very much appreciated 🙂