Wimbledon Mania

I think even the most ardent anti tennis people would have enjoyed watching Andy Murray's epic victory and the amazing men's final between Federer and Nadal. I know that I was glued to the screen. I always hope that the inspiration will show in my next match!

Our summer season matches are almost finished, except for those needing re-arranging due to bad weather. It is a nail biting time for a couple of our teams, 2nds & 4ths, who are waiting to see if they have managed to get promotion. Watch this space.

Off court I have been busy trying to organise a big fund-raising social event for Charnwood Tennis Club. Plans are not yet finalised but the date looks like being 20th September.

Normal coaching sessions are suspended for the summer holidays but there is plenty of tennis still to come with Junior Summer Camps, mixed senior matches & more vets matches.

Nottingham Open

I was fortunate to be asked to accompany some students from De Lisle Catholic Science College to attend the last ever Nottingham Open tournament on Tuesday.

The first match we saw was Nishikori (pictured left) against Johannsen. After an enthralling first set that went to Johannsen, sadly Nishikori had to retire with an abdominal injury.

Next up was Britain's Alex Bogdanovic who beat fellow Brit James Ward.

Some of the students were able to get autographs.

In all, a good day and just a shame that the tournament will no longer be held in Nottingham.

Inspired by watching so much tennis on Tuesday, my team secured an excellent, if close, victory against Carisbrooke Tennis Club on Thursday night. Bring on Ashby next week!

The Season Continues

Half of the summer season matches are now complete & our teams are having mixed fortunes.
Leading the way is our 4th team who are still well placed for promotion. My team is looking good for survival in division one with some excellent performances, in particular from Annabel & Jenny, 2 of our juniors, who won all their matches against Ashby II.

Watching Rafa over the last couple of weeks has been a joy & an inspiration to us all. However, despite my pleading I cannot convince my students that to keep practicing top-spin is a good thing. Bring on Wimbledon.

For fans of YouTube, try typing in Novak Djokovic & see his impersonations of some of his fellow players. http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=Xgjv86JY6Qg

This week I have a trip to the Nottingham Open helping out with looking after students from De Lisle College. Be interesting to see the final line-up. Andy Murray maybe?

Looking Smart

Bit of a break in postings as this is our hectic time of summer league matches.




First match on was our 4th team against the 5th team which was a very competitive affair with a couple of very close matches. The 4ths came out as winners.




Our first match as 1st team was on 7th May away at Leicestershire Tennis Club against their 2nd team. This was a game that we really needed to win and, thankfully, we did by 6 matches to 3. We looked the part in our new 'James Sellicks' sponsored fleeces which raised a few eye-brows as James is a member at Leicestershire!

Not such a good result on Thursday as we went down by 6 matches to 3 against a strong Oadby team.

On Friday this week I took a day off the court swapping my rackets for golf clubs. Despite the drizzle I played ok but was soundly beaten by Mandy, a fine golfer.

Saturday night saw me helping out at my daughter's swimming gala in Enderby and now it is Sunday & a well-earned day of rest!

Sponsorship secured

The new summer match season is a week away so I am delighted to say that I have managed to secure brand new sponsorship from leading Leicetershire estate agent, James Sellicks. He has very kindly agreed to, not only support my coaching kit, but also provide fleece tops for the Charnwood Ladies 1st team players.
For further information visit www.jamessellicks.com
or tel. 0116 2854554

At coaching we are working hard at our match-play tactics which will be put to the test this week when our ladies 4th team have their first match against our fast-improving 5th team. Good luck to you all.

I will keep you posted as to how results are going.

Dog Racing Success

Friday 18th April

Over 70 members and friends descended on Nottingham's Colwick Park for a night of dog racing.

Despite the cold track-side attendance was good to help cheer on the dogs.

Mark and family eventually scored several winners.

Other members decided to stay in the warm bar watching the races on the televisions.

Or just catching up on the latest tennis news!

And at the end of the night the good news was that Charnwood Tennis Club won the trophy for most winners in our named traps.

Thanks again to all those who attended.

Easter

A belated happy Easter from me.

I had a good break over the holidays spending a few days in London with the family.

Whilst being off-court I have been trying to get up to date on some club issues and trying to finalise arrangements for sponsorship for our ladies 1st team.

As Chairperson at Charnwood I was pleased to meet up with Stuart Smith, President of the LTA, last Wednesday to discuss ways forward for our club. Whilst the meeting was interesting and informative, we clearly have lots of work to do in the eyes of the LTA. We therefore have further meetings planned to ensure our club continues to evolve and improve in all it does.

So I am now back to the serious business of coaching and making sure that everyone is ready for the forthcoming summer ladies doubles season.

Busy Weeks

There has been a definite feel of spring in the air this week which means that the summer season of matchplay is nearly upon us.

The Wednesday night tactics sessions were completed last week following very good attendance and strong doubles play although nobody seemed keen to try out the Australian formation! This week is the last 'Drills' session. These have been running since last October and have enabled team players to get together for a good tennis workout during the winter months. Thanks go to Di Fisher for organising the often amusing coordination routines built into our warm-ups.

This is also the last week of coaching for me before the Easter break. We will return in April ready for a blitz on tactics and point playing.

On Friday Charnwood hosted a ladies charity tennis tournament. We were graced with very favourable weather conditions and so had a very successful event raising £160 for the tennis club and £27 for Sport Relief in the raffle. Every lady taking part ran a lap of the courts which, when added together, came to just under a mile. Therefore, they made me run the last lap to take it past the mile barrier!

The winner on the day was Debbie Brown, playing some excellent tennis throughout the morning, and the runner-up was Gill Elliott. Pictured at the top of the page.

Social time.

Tennis has been good.

Tactics sessions have been going well with the final one this week.

I think we will be looking stronger for the coming summer season & more players are emerging as contenders for team places - keep up the good work.

The quiz night took place on Friday night with 59 quiz contestants strategically placed in the clubhouse. Quizmaster, David Smith & wife, Jo were the perfect hosts. The questions seemed to get more difficult as the evening went on or as we all downed more beer & wine.I would like to thank David & Jo for organising such a wonderful evening. The winners can be seen above, an all male table headed by Men's club captain, Nick Barham.

I now have the tickets to sell for the club's night out at The Dogs, April 18th. Let's hope it is another night to remember.

That's all for now.

See you on court.

We're back

Following a 2 week break from coaching I was back on court yesterday ready for a push on tactical play in preparation for the forthcoming summer league season.
Last week we did play our social morning tennis on Wednesday although numbers were small.
On Wednesday evening I ventured out for a curry with the Oaks in Charnwood Club ladies. A good night was had by all - I'm sure I can find a photo somewhere.
On Monday this week I held our 1st captains meeting of the season to discuss players for the forthcoming matches. All teams appear to have a good squad of players, although this often changes as the summer approaches.
Final preparations are underway for the quiz night with all tickets sold.
The date for the 'Night at the Dogs' has been confirmed as Friday 25th April. Further details to follow.
Back on court tomorrow.

Half Term

Just when you think you are in for a restful week, one of your kids wants to decorate their bedroom! My week off has been spent papering & painting.
Wednesday 13th was the first of 3 tactics sessions that I am running at Charnwood. Attendance was fair with play exhilarating despite the very foggy & frosty conditions. Well done to those that attended.
I have posted a list of forthcoming events up in the clubhouse including details of the quiz night on 7th March. You might like to know that tickets for the quiz have sold very fast with very few now left so please contact me asap if you wish to take part.
Wednesday drill sessions continue this week for the ladies and later this month the men will commence their practice sessions with head coach, Matt Wilford.
Just a reminder to the ladies coaching groups that lessons restart on Monday 25th February but Wednesday social play is back this Wednesday 20th.

Looking Forward

Another testing week with some awful weather. I keep thinking it can only get better! Ladies groups 6 & 7 were delighted with the treat of indoor courts on Thursday morning which meant a full week on court for me despite the wind/rain/snow.
We met as a playing committee on Monday evening to instruct Gail, our secretary, on all the club teams we want entering into the various Leicestershire leagues for the coming months.
I had a meeting with LTA development officer, Paul Sheard, on Tuesday to enquire about funding for the club. He could promise nothing but gave some useful contacts.
Plans are all in place for the club's quiz night to be held at Charnwood on Friday March 7th with bookings being taken for tables of 6. Cost is £7.50 to include a fish & chip supper. Bring your own booze.

It was good to see our club captain, Clyde Williams, & Claire Elkington modelling the new club sweatshirts at Saturday club play. Feel free to place your own order by contacting me.

This week is the last before half term & I am hoping for some inspirational tennis.

Coaching restarts on Monday 25th February

A Tough Week

The weather sent further tests this week.

Wind and rain a plenty.

Group 2, playing at 10.45 - 12.15 on Monday, played through it all. We eventually stopped a couple of minutes early with puddles beginning to appear on court. Well done to those 8 brave players! Sadly that was the end of tennis that day.

Tuesday dawned with a hard frost, but at least it was dry.

Fortunately the rest of the week allowed all play to take place. Windy but dry.

Rain stops play

The week began ok with tennis in the drizzle on Monday but at least we played all day.
Tuesday saw a deluge & no tennis.
Given a reprieve on Wednesday with a good turn-out for social play session followed by coffee & biscuits.
Thursday & the rain was back forcing me to try & grab what time I could get indoors. Those that came enjoyed the light relief from the nasty weather.
Thankfully the courts are holding up well so let's hope for a better week this week.

We're Back

Despite the wind & rain this week I managed a full week's coaching & even had time to attend our team 'drills' session on Wednesday evening.



Attendance at lessons was varied but the level of chat in all groups was high with lots of news to catch up on from the Christmas break. Several players were missing due to illness so I hope to see those people back on court next week.



I donned my Chairman's hat for a meeting on Wednesday which I hope will lead to more club initiatives starting by Easter.



Thursday night was the 2nd Leicestershire Tennis Awards night held at the Leicester Tigers ground. Charnwood had a productive evening with Ahmed El Menshawy receiving male player of the year and 2 of our teams receiving trophies. The evening was led by Mark Cox with several guest speakers including Martin Weston, head of Loughborough's High Performance Centre. Also receiving trophies were a couple of old friends of mine from years back; Gill Thompson & Anne Tester.

Happy New Year

New year came in with a party night.
Following a long country walk to clear the head I am now ready to get back to work.
Coaching groups beware.
First task is to finalise clubhouse alterations & then I will be back on court.