Dear Fishbourne Tennis Club member,

Welcome to the latest regular email update of the exciting things happening at your tennis club.

Could you be the new membership secretary? 

It’s a big job but someone’s got to do it! Being membership secretary is actually very rewarding, great fun and puts you at the epicentre of the club. The secretary is the contact point for members new and old and their voice on the committee. The secretary needs to be highly organised, with up to date  communication skills and the time available to devote to the job. The good news is that they will have the full support of everyone on the committee behind them. Are you FTC’s new membership secretary? Mike Kallaway kindly stepped in after Angie’s departure but his was always an acting role, and now the time has arrived to start the search for a permanent new secretary. Let any committee member know if you are interested.

Dates for your diary

• NOW: ALL MEMBERSHIPS DUE. PLEASE PAY UP!
• AGM and Wimbledon Ticket Draw, Fishbourne Centre, 8pm 20 April
• Junior Open Day: 14 May, 1.30-4.30
• Spring American Tournament: 12 June
• Summer American Tournament: 14 August
• FINALS DAY: Saturday 3 September
• Autumn American Tournament: 23 October

New court combination locks

We will shortly be switching from key-operated padlocks to combination padlocks – no more lost keys! The combination number will be displayed to all members in our club-house and shown on your online booking sheet, so make sure you make a note of it when booking online. The number also will be given to members of the public booking our courts, allowing us to extend online booking to non-members.

Fishbourne’s Wimbledon ticket allocation

For the second year running, FTC has been allocated 15 pairs of tickets to the Championships in 2016. Six pairs are for Centre Court, six for No1 Court, and three for No2 Court. A result in other words! The members’ draw for the tickets will be made at the AGM on April 20. The names of all eligible FTC members (those BTM members who opted in) will be put into a hat and, in front of everyone, will be drawn out at random. It will be a great evening and an extra incentive to attend the AGM, but note you will still be included in the draw if you are not present.

‘Masters’ winter series voted a success

Fishbourne entered two teams in the Portsmouth & District Masters winter league competition in 2015/16, finding the competition challenging but the play always enjoyable. Most if not all of the players vowed to take part again now they know what they are up against (Ryde Lawn LTC mostly!). Fishbourne 2 ended the season on, how shall we say this, nil points. But it did win five rubbers, 11 sets and 132 games, which sounds a great deal better. Thanks to all the Fishbourne 2 players who took part: Mandy Davies, Tim Groome, Jean Watson, Derek Nordern, Brian and Elizabeth Williams, Nick Downey, Robin Coghlan, Sue Groves, Gay Collins, Lesley Kelly and Nikki Holden. Fishbourne 1 currently has three points but has two more games to play. Well done all the Fishbourne 1 players: Luke McEwen and Shaz Morris (joint captains), Luke McEwen, Sue Lord, Katy Bracher and David Holmes.

New coaching sessions for men and women

Following the success of the men’s Wednesday evening and the Ladies’ Friday morning coaching sessions, Generation Tennis are beginning two new classes for both men and women on Tuesday evenings starting from 12 April. The group will be split into two hour-long sessions, 6-7pm and 7-8pm. This will enable you to join either group depending on your availability. The cost of the session is £5, which you pay on a weekly basis. The coaching will run every Tuesday excluding holidays. The sessions target players who are looking to improve their game both technically and tactically. The group is open to improvers and intermediates. Please contact JJ if you would like to take part: 07935 019968.

Cardio Tennis to start again at Fishbourne           

Cardio Tennis is a fitness based session for all tennis players and beginners who are looking to improve their fitness. The sessions will start again on Wednesday 13 April from 6-7pm and cost £6 per session.

Junior Easter Camps

Monday 4 April – Friday 8 April:

• 9-10.30am, ages 4 – 8 years old  – £37.50
• 10.30-1pm, ages 9 – 12 years old – £61.50
• 1.30-3.30pm, ages 12+ – £52.50

Please follow the link to book onto the course: http://generationtennis.co/school-holiday-tennis-coaching/  or contact James on: 077464 08181 to book.