Autumn beckons and after a great summer of tennis with (mainly) good weather, this is the time we start to plan what happens at the Club in 2024 and beyond. We are really keen to get your input and you’ll find details in this newsletter of our survey – please take 10 minutes to Have Your Say!
Emma Pattison
Club Chair
Schools Outreach – Did You Know?
Our coaching team offers subsidised lunchtime and afterschool clubs at three local schools, helping over 50 children to get outside and exercise. The scheme was set up by Ben in 2007 and offers lots of children the chance to experience tennis for the first time. The coaches take a pop-up net, balls and rackets into the playground – the children just turn up in their PE kits and give it a go. Rumour has it that our Club Coach, Tom Fowler, started his tennis this way in 2008!!
This is a wonderful way of introducing children to tennis in an affordable way and a great way of creating links within, and supporting, our local community.
Well done to Ben and the coaching team for taking the initiative with this programme – in the future, it would be great to find ways to help even more kids and other parts of our community to enjoy tennis.
Have Your Say!
Our club is run by members for members and we’re keen to hear what you value and how you would like the Club to evolve and develop.
So please take time to Have Your Say by completing our survey – click the link below or use the QR code. The survey is anonymous and will be open until 10 November.
Have Your Say - Survey Oct 2023
Any problems with accessing the survey, please message Emma on 07770 828811
Our Club Needs You
The Annual General Meeting (AGM) will be held on the 15th November 2023 at our clubhouse (PLEASE NOTE – not 8 November as stated in the Sept newsletter, sorry about that!). The AGM is a great opportunity to hear about the health of the club and to have your input into the club’s future – all members are welcome and encouraged to come along. Refreshments will be available.
A number of our Committee will be stepping down at the AGM this year, and we’re looking for new people to step in and keep evolving Backwell Tennis Club as a great place to be. Please chat to Emma or someone else on the committee if you think you’d like to get involved:
- Club Secretary – if you’re organised and good at communication
- Junior Rep – if you’re inspired to help our juniors play more tennis
- Welfare Officer – if you’re interested in creating a safe environment for everyone to play
- Men’s Captain – if you’re enthusiastic about competitive league play
Contact details for all committee members – we rely on volunteers to keep the Club running - please get involved!
Drop Shots...
Nominations for the 2024 LTA Awards and the 'Avon Tennis Unsung Hero' awards have now opened. There are plenty of categories and we have done well as a Club in the past (Development Coach of the Year for Ben in 2015, Club of the Year in 2019, and Unsung Hero for John Tate in 2023). If you see something or someone at the Club that is worthy of recognition then this is a great opportunity to celebrate them! You have until 30 November to submit your nominations via the online form which can be found here.
Ladies club sessions take place every week on Monday and Wednesday afternoons from 2.00pm until 4.00 pm. No need to book, just turn up for a warm welcome and good tennis!
In advance of the 2023 AGM, a copy of the minutes from the 2022 AGM are pinned up on the noticeboard in the Clubhouse.