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.