Dear Member,
I am trying a new format for the monthly newsletter, with the detail embedded in the email rather than in an attachment. Hopefully it will make an easier read and might even generate a few more responses!
And whilst on the subject of responses, please, please, please don’t be shy about putting your name down to play in Club tournaments and inter-club matches. The entry was disappointingly low for the recent Newman Bell Club Handicaps Doubles. Unfortunately I wasn’t able to play this year and couldn’t make the final, but those members who did play enjoyed some very good tennis. It would also be nice to have more people coming along to watch, support and enjoy a tournament final – the more the merrier in the dedans, so you could bring along all the family as well!
Many of the Club tournaments are played off handicap, which means that everyone can join in and get the chance to play other members that they wouldn’t normally expect to play – and for doubles tournaments, KK and Ben are more than happy to find partners. It can also be a struggle to get a team together for some of the inter-club matches – though I suspect we are not alone in this – but for home matches, it is an opportunity to play members from other clubs, and for away matches it is an opportunity to play on other courts and have a good day out. Remember - car sharing is always a possibility. Unfortunately, in a similar vein, we have been unable to raise a team this year for the Preliminary Round of the Brodie Cup, which is one of the major T&RA inter-club competitions. The downside is that it is limited to T&RA members in the 30-50 handicap range, which is something of a limiting factor.
I am very grateful to KK and Ben for doing a champion job in trying to get members to play more, BUT they can only do it with your help and support.
So important diary dates for November
We have four inter-club matches scheduled for November, one home and three away. The dates are:
Saturday 3rd November away against Seacourt (Hayling Island) - I know the call has gone out for players but this is an opportunity to play on a court very different to our own and one that is very difficult get a casual booking on.
Sunday 11th November away against Cambridge – a club with two very different courts.
Saturday 17th November at home to Wellington
Sunday 25th November away against Moreton Morrell
Just see KK or Ben if you would like to play - for away matches the host club has to match the handicaps of our team, whereas for home matches we have to match the handicaps of the visiting team, so there is plenty of opportunity to join in.
Other tennis events in November Include:
A Singles Medal Day for 61-70 handicaps on Sunday 4th November
A Singles Medal Day for 71+ handicaps on Saturday 24th November
A Doubles Medal Day 41-60 handicaps on the afternoon of Saturday 10th November
And a Taster Session for new players interested in taking up the game on the morning of Saturday 10th November – it is very important that Taster Sessions are well supported as we need to encourage new players, especially younger players, to become playing members, so please bring your friends and family along.
And don’t forget the Monday and Wednesday Club nights.
And forthcoming social dates for your diary
Following on from last year’s success. Jan and Laurence are organising a whist drive on Friday 16th November, with supper and wine. Please let KK or Ben know if you are interested in coming.
Start Christmas early with drinks, canapés, the infamous Chawner Challenge and an Exhibition Match on Wednesday 5th December from 6.30pm.
The Club’s Christmas Lunch will be on Thursday 13th December at the Lansdown Pub in Clifton.
With best wishes and plenty of good tennis.
Claire