Elliswick LTC Newsletter – May 2024

We’ve had some wonderful sunny month of tennis.  It’s great to see our well-maintained courts are being so well used with the commencement of the Club’s Centenary, the Annual Club Tournament and the summer team tennis. And our garden is looking wonderful with the beautiful flowers planted by Dave Watkinson, who has been working very hard to create a little paradise for members and visitors to enjoy.

It’s been a busy month at the club as outlined below and we have a lot coming up in June/July.

CLUB’S CENTENARY – SATURDAY 8TH JUNE 2024 – FAMILY FUN DAY

There’s still room for a few more to join us at the Club’s Centenary Celebration but time is running out. If you’ve not already done, please sign up here: https://forms.gle/hW7SQU8hsPqGJSQ37.  The day is shaping up to be a fabulous event and includes a paella or BBQ meal plus 3 live bands and games for entertainment.  This is an event that you don’t want to miss out on. Or you will have to wait for another 100 years!

 

ANNUAL CLUB TOURNAMENT – FINALS DAY SATURDAY 22nd JUNE 2024

With back up day being 24th June 2024

Congratulations to all those players who have made it through their initial round(s). At this point it is imperative that all matches are played by the deadline dates, to allow further rounds to be arranged and played on time.

Please see the deadline dates as follows:

QUARTER FINALS: 9th JUNE

SEMI FINALS: 19th JUNE

Matches are to be played by the dates stated above. Failure to do this will result in one or both players/pairs being withdrawn from the tournament. Courts are prioritised for matches at certain times – in particular, a court will be available for booking (only for match purposes), on Tuesday, Thursday and Friday nights during the tournament period. Please contact Andree Haxton at [email protected] if you wish to book a court during those times.

If any players are encountering difficulty scheduling matches by the deadline, please don’t let it just slip – contact the Tournament Secretary, Louise Behan, asap ([email protected]).

We are looking for some volunteers to line judge the matches and to help with the refreshments.  Please let Andree Haxton know at [email protected] if you are able to help.

There will be breakfast of sausage/bacon rolls with tea/coffee from 9.45am available to purchase from Mabel Wright’s stall (to raise fund for the USA lacrosse Tour in 2025).  The BBQ lunch with several salads by the wonderful Beasleys will be served about 12.30pm followed by afternoon tea with cakes about 2.30pm. The bar will also be open on the day.

PHOTOGRAPHER NEEDED

We are still looking for a volunteer to take photos on the Finals Day.  Please let Andree Haxton know at [email protected] if you are able to help.

GROUNDS AND CLUBHOUSE

Project planning for the new LED fixed-mast floodlights for courts 5 & 6 is now underway.

MEMBERSHIP

We welcomed 24 adults at our New Members’ Day a couple of weeks ago, and it has been great to see many of them on court regularly since.

Our junior membership continues to rise steadily, with more places still available. We have a waiting list of well over 100 for adult places.

TEAM TENNIS

Ladies Teams

  • The Herts League and Hot Racket matches have started.
  • We would like to invite all ladies to attend the Ladies mornings on Tuesdays and Ladies evenings on Wednesdays.  These are open to all abilities so please come and join us play.
  • The Ladies Friendly matches are well underway with delicious lunches that follow.  If anyone is interested in playing these matches which take place on the week days please contact Lynn on [email protected]

Mixed Teams

The Datchworth Summer League is well under way, with 6 of the 14 matches now played. We have 4 teams who are all enjoying some strong competition in their respective divisions. The Mixed Friendlies matches have one more match to play.  All players have enjoyed playing in this friendly league.

The Social Mix-in on Thursdays at 6pm is going well with a good range of playing standards all being organised into competitive fours by one of our Coaches.

Men’s Teams

The 2023/24 winter Vets are almost come to an end. We will be entering another 8 teams for the next season 2024/2025 in the following age groups: 45s A/B/C, 55s A/B/C, 65s A/B

The summer Herts League, Men’s National League and Hot Racquets matches have now started with mixed results so far.  If you are interested in playing competitive tennis in any of the Men’s teams, please get in touch with Jem Collier-Garrity, our Men’s Captain at [email protected]

A reminder that Men’s night is now in full flow so please do turn up every Tuesday from 6pm for both competitive and social play.

SOCIALS

May has been incredibly busy month for socials at the club! We had a beer & curry night, a Mexican supper night, New Members Day, Ladies Fizz night and the Bank Holiday Tournament. All events were a great success and very well attended.  Miraculously the weather played ball too!  Thank you to Eric, Sally, Andree, Victoria, Susie, Jane and Justin for organising these events for all the members to enjoy.

Forthcoming Diary Dates 

JUNE 2023

Please sign up for our once-in-a-lifetime Centenary Day!  It is going to be a unique opportunity to enjoy a fun-filled day of tennis activities, children’s games and music to celebrate our 100th Birthday!

  • 8th – Centenary – Family Fun Dayhttps://forms.gle/dDhoxXcgFcxYfPMeA
  • 13th – Japanese inspired Supper Night  https://forms.gle/jLZuQcGmRki1PfxSA
  • From 14th – Screening Euros football tournament in the clubhouse where the Bar will be open for England and Scotland matches. Dates are as follows: Friday 14th June and Sunday 16th June both at  20:00.
  • 22nd – Club Tournament Finals Day – come along and support our finalists. Please sign up here:

https://forms.gle/yfAVcKq3CRqed72d9

 

JULY:

We are still looking for a member to cook for our supper night in August.  Please contact Jane if you wish to cook for our hungry members on Thursday the 15th August.

If you have any queries regarding any of the social events, please contact our Super Social Secretary, Jane Bisseker at [email protected].

 

JUNIOR UPDATES

Friday Junior Nights are in full swing.  Please note that there are no Junior Nights during the school holidays. However, courts are booked for our juniors to use. Just turn up and play with other players.  For those who are new to the club, this is a time for the Juniors to practice their skills.  The sessions are run by our wonderful coaches, Coach Rupert and Coach Dan.  The juniors can also enjoy some free time and mix with friends or other players. 4:30pm to 6pm is for young children (primary school) who should be supervised by an adult or guardian.  6-8pm is for the older children (secondary school) who do not need to be accompanied by parents.

Whilst they do not need to be accompanied by a parent or guardian, we do need to ensure we have adult supervision.  This session will only go ahead if we have adequate volunteers.  If you can kindly offer some help, please contact our Junior Secretary Marc Stacey at [email protected]

 

A tuck shop with snacks, hotdogs and pizzas is open on Junior Nights and run by Izzy and Jessica to raise funds for a 4-week environmental expedition to Ecuador with KWS next summer

We also welcome parents/carers to come along and join us in the bar for a social drink whilst watching the kids enjoying themselves.

 

2024 JUNIOR TOURNAMENT – 15TH SEPTEMBER 2024

The Junior Tournament entry is now open.  Closing Date for Entry is: 1st September 2024

The Tournament date is Sunday 15th September and is an all-day event.  The reserve date is Sunday 16th September in case of bad weather. It was a huge success last year, watching our talented juniors and enjoying the sunshine.  The sign-up sheets are available on the junior notice board inside the clubhouse. Alternatively, you can email [email protected] if you wish to sign up your juniors with the following information:

Child’s name

DOB & Age ON DAY OF TOURNAMENT

Contact Number

Contact email address

Parental Volunteer:  Scoring or Refreshments (please delete as appropriate)

 

Kind Regards

Elliswick LTC Committee

 

PS, Don’t forget to keep up to date with events at our website http://www.elliswickltc.co.uk and follow our Facebook page as well.

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LTA Youth Tennis Leaders Course 15th June 2024

There is a LTA Youth Tennis Leaders Course being held at Welwyn Tennis Club on Saturday 15th June.

The course is aimed at 11 – 18 year olds and it provides young people, whatever their tennis ability, with the opportunity to gain valuable leadership skills both on and off the court.  It is the first step on a tennis and sports career path for volunteering and paid employment.

Date: Saturday 15th June 2024, 9am – 1pm

Venue: Welwyn Tennis Club, 7 Ottway Walk, Welwyn, AL6 9AT

Cost: £75

More information please contact: Sharon Evans,

Herts Tennis,

Gosling Sports Park,

Stanborough Road,

Welwyn Garden City,

Herts AL8 6XE

www.hertstennis.co.uk

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FASHION SHOW

Lou Murphy Styles, a Preloved Boutique based in Harpenden, putting on a Charity Fashion Show in aid of Helping Herts, at Hoo House on Harpenden High Street.

On Thursday 13th June, 7pm

This is the link to purchase tickets for the event:

https://fundraising.helpingherts.com/harpendenfashionshow2024#K07