Section Chairman Alan Millington shares all the latest news and developments from our Tennis Club in the first of his new, revamped monthly newsletters.
Hi All,
I’d like to welcome you to the new Season and hope you like the look of the re-designed newsletter. I thought it was time to refresh our image – and if any members want to surprise us with a new look on the tennis courts that will also be welcome.
One major change for the new season I would like to mention is on the coaching front and I’m delighted to welcome Karen Bevan who has agreed to join us as our new head coach.
Karen is an LTA licensed development coach and will be leading on all coaching provided at the Club. You can learn more about Karen and the courses and sessions she will be offering later on in this piece.
Once again, tennis has not stopped over the winter, with the singles laddder, mixed winter league and well supported social slots keeping the courts busy. A big thanks to Sylvia Mills for running the mixed league and to Mark Connelly for picking up the singles ladder started by Tom Moseley, (who has moved to London) and expanding it to include players from clubs in the Manchester League.
The ladder is providing great opportunities for players of all abilities to enjoy singles play and there have been some very high quality games.
On wider Club matters I am pleased to report that the surfacing of the Club’s main drive has now been completed. It’s a massive improvement on the potholed track we have been used to and will be of particular benefit to our car suspensions and those wearing high heels (not me if you are wondering). I’m also told it now makes a great cycle track. Hopefully, it won’t be too much longer before we see the redevelopment of the derelict garages.
Our facilities are looking in pretty good shape, despite the onslaught of winter weather. High winds caused one of the posts supporting the high netting to sway quite markedly. John Bentley and Dave Wharton have re-set this post and have done such a good job that a hurricane will be needed to shift it.
There will be a few jobs to do before the new season starts and John and I will be looking for a few volunteers to help around the Easter period. John does a fantastic job for the Tennis Section and the Club generally and I am delighted to announce that he has been appointed as the new Club President. This is a well deserved honour and recognition for all John’s hard work.
Finally and hot off the press, I’d like to congratulate Daniel Bird,one of our members and a former junior at Prestwich, for being chosen to be an Olympic Torch Bearer. Daniel will be running on the relay route between Salford and Leeds on 24th June. Daniel is also running in the Greater Manchester Marathon on 29th April in support of the Challenging Behaviour Foundation. If anyone wants to sponsor Daniel please visit http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/SportDan91
Alan Millington
FEES FROZEN
Following the AGM in November the Committee recommended no fee increase this year – given the difficult economic climate – which has certainly not left our members untouched.
We will however be enforcing our late payment fee of £10 more strictly. This will be levied for any fees not paid by 31st May.
As a reminder, fees for the forthcoming year will be:
• Full / Tennis Adult- £120
• Full Junior – £39
• Junior U18 / student – £30
• Junior U16 – £23
• Junior U13 – £17
Fees are due on 1st April and should be paid by cheque payable to PCTBC or by cash and sending to the club via the information on your renewal form.
If you have changed any of your contact details then please let our membership secretary, Gill Boyle know by e-mail on gill@the-coppice.co.uk. If anyone is having difficulty paying fees then you should contact Chairman Alan Millington at the beginning of the season.
COACHING OVERVIEW FROM KAREN BEVAN
Hello to everyone at Prestwich Tennis Club and I’m delighted to be taking up a role at the Club as head coach. I am looking forward to meeting as many of you as possible in the forthcoming months both on and off court!
As a member of Alkrington Tennis Club and formerly a coach at the Lancashire Health and Raquets Club, I have watched with interest over the years as Prestwich has developed into a really good local club with a strong social tennis offer. I will be working with Alan and the rest of the Committee to deliver a coaching programme for the Club including group and individual sessions together with more competitive opportunities for juniors.
From Saturday 14th April I will be around every Saturday morning to lead the junior sessions but you may see me before so do say hello and let me know if you are looking for coaching.
The programme for the forthcoming year is outlined below but subject to demand, court availability and weather more sessions may be offered as well as individual coaching sessions.
Junior Coaching
Held on Saturday mornings – with outside sessions between April and October and indoors for the mini red and orange sessions in the school hall at Prestwich Arts College. Attendance is based on ability but is generally aimed at age groups in the ranges below:
• Mini red (age 4-7) – 9am
• Mini-orange (age 8-10) – 10am
• Green/Yellow balls – 11am
After School Sessions
These will take place from the end of April on Wednesdays from 4-5pm.
Adult Beginner & Improver Sessions
I am intending to run some adult beginner and improver sessions over the spring/summer period and will be working with Alan to determine the level of interest.
Individual and squad sessions
I will be offering one-to-one coaching for all levels and squad and group sessions that might include teams, older juniors and ladies / girls by arrangement. Subject to the numbers interested in these arranged sessions and the playing abilities of those interested I may look to provide some joint sessions with players from Alkrington.
Finally I would just like to say that I am looking forward to working with Alan and the rest of the Committee in developing tennis at the Club and helping to mentor several of the junior players who are in the process of taking LTA recognised tennis coaching qualifications. I will certainly be putting them through their paces on court.
Karen Bevan
SOCIAL TENNIS
The evening social slot will move from Thursday evenings to Tuesday after Easter with the last Thursday session being 5th April and the first Tuesday session being 10th April. Saturday and Sunday slots remain as before.
TOURNAMENTS
Details of tournaments with dates and organisers will be sent out in the next newsletter or by e-mail and posted in the John Swallow Lodge. We have volunteers for most of the tournaments but if you think you could help please contact Alan or let one of the Committee know.
CHEWING GUM
Over the past few years the problem of chewing gum on the courts has become more of a problem and as a result the Committee have decided to take a much stricter line. From now on, any member found disposing of chewing gum on court will face having their member ship withdrawn.
BRITISH TENNIS MEMBERSHIP
Many of us are already Members of British Tennis, it’s free and for those who are interested in competitive play allows you to get a rating. For Wimbledon fans you will also need to be a British Tennis Member if you want to use tickets secured in the Club ballot. Joining is easy, just log on the LTA website and follow the instructions for British Tennis Membership.
TENNIS CAPTAINS
We are pleased to report that the following members will be representing the Club in the Manchester and Oldham league for the forthcoming season.
Mens 1st team – Ben Sinnott
Mens 2nd team – Keith Garton/Syd Bennett
Mens 3rd team – John Price / Phil Handley
Ladies 1st team – Sue Marcroft
Ladies 2nd team – Georgina Haigh
Ladies 3rd team – Sue Bloomfield
Oldham – To be confirmed
Oldham League B – Sheila Tasker
Under 14s – Joanne O’Hanlon
Under 17’s – Gill Boyle
