Wells Town Tennis Club

Reports from Officers

Review of 2011

What can we say about 2011, for us it’s been quite a good year in the tennis club.  We continue to grow our membership although we could do with a few younger members, despite junior coaching with an able coach juniors don’t progress into the senior ranks.

This year the Castle Acre league was extended to nine clubs and we managed to finish fourth, just missing out on third place by a point.  This year the format was changed so that the two pairs representing the club played four sets.  It is expected that next year a new club will join the league, Watton from the south of the County.

The Mary Bircham tournament went well, won by Craig and Jean, it was good fun and all those taking part enjoyed the competition.  The club sent members to take part in the Chairman’s cup at Burnham Market, one of our pairs finished second.  We also played Monday evenings at Burnham under their floodlights, even played in snow.  After we usually went to The Hoste Arms to discuss how well we played.

Lynn Pygney and myself won the North Norfolk Inter Village Mixed Doubles tournament held in Cromer, would be great if more members joined in.
Susanne Jagger and again me entered the NLTA President’s cup and although we didn’t do that well we enjoyed playing on the grass (very different to our courts).

Administratively we have made great strides to obtaining Clubmark (LTA recognition) mainly due to Susanne’s diligence on the computer.  We would have achieved this if we had junior competitions.  I am on the NLTA council so we have a voice representing smaller clubs.  Because of this I was invited to take part in workshops discussing the future of tennis at Roehampton the LTA centre.   

Active Norfolk subsidised an eight week course for people wishing to return to tennis, it was very successful, a number of those attending have now joined the club.  We have continued to have junior coaching From Miles and this will continue on Saturdays throughout the winter.

Social tennis sessions have continued on Wednesdays and Sundays, these sessions are open to all members and are seen as fun.

On a sadder note one of our long term members, Colin Palmer, died in the hospice.  Colin not only played but was a member of the committee and had contributed a vast amount of time and energy into the club over many years.

A young member, Craig Armiger, who has been a member since his junior days will be emigrating to the USA in late 2011, he will be greatly missed by all, especially the team.

It is generally felt that we shall be entering 2012 in a strong position with a good membership and financially sound.

Mike Walker
Honorary Secretary