Hi all,

I haven’t touched a racquet since late summer and am very much looking forward to when we can play evening tennis again. Lots to update you about from the committee.

First off the Wimbledon ballot. As most of you will know the club is allocated tickets each year based upon the number of registered LTA members who have also opted in to the ballot. All members of the club will be registered with the LTA and so all that is needed is for you to log onto the LTA website https://www.lta.org.uk and follow the clear links to opt in – I’ve just done it now and it’s simple to do. The more of us who opt in the more allocated tickets the club receives (we find out in march). This year the committee has decided (in line with LTA policy) that as well as being a paid up member by the club ballot – you must also opt in to enter. So please enter as soon as you can and certainly before the deadline on the 23^rd Feb.

On to coaching. Its exciting that Steve is planning to build on his coaching programme. This year the plan is to:

• Run an Easter camp for juniors in the afternoons from 9^th – 13^th April
• Continue with Monday evening coaching and fitness
• Saturday morning to expand to be:
  • 1-1.30pm – pre-school children
  • 1.30-2.30pm – school age children – bookable through Steve.
  • 2.30-3.30pm – pay and play session
• Introduce a ‘Rusty Raquets’ session on Tuesday evenings (7:30 to 8:30pm) with 10 sessions being free to new members.

Additionally we will be running and advertising an open day for new members on Sunday the 15^th April with we hope some combination of new and existing members. More details to follow.

Marcus (helped by Frances) has volunteered to continue his good work running club tournaments with the schedule for the year being:

• Jubilee Tournament – 20^th May 2018.
• American Doubles – 15^th June 2018
• Hare & Hounds – 9^th September 2018

We continue to be very keen to bring in new members. Over the last couple of years we’ve experimented with half price new membership. This year we are going to replace that with the idea of free rusty racquets sessions for new joiners. We’ll be writing advertiser articles and refreshing the banners in town but our most powerful way of attracting new members is word of mouth. Can you also please spread the word – that we’re a great, friendly and inclusive club and we’d like players  of all abilities and ages to join in.

In 2018 we’ll add to our tennis season with social events. We plan to hold one during the open day on the 15^th April and am exploring options for a club trip to watch the Birmingham Classic (played between the 16^th and 24^th June). If enough members are interested then we’ll arrange a minibus or coach to get people there and back. Please Please switch on JavaScript to see our email address if this sounds like something you would be keen to go to.

Aside from the above we’ll be entering our usual teams in the Chippenham and Gloucestershire leagues and all club nights remain the same. For anyone interested in helping out the next committee meeting is scheduled for Monday 26^th February – 7pm at the priory and all are welcome. Our AGM will be on Tuesday 6^th November – also at the priory.

That’s all for now – hope to see you all soon and please remember to Opt in for Wimbledon.

Thank you,

Richard