Dear Fishbourne Tennis Club member
Your FTC committee hopes you are well and enjoying some great tennis at our brilliant club. Here’s all the latest news as we head into spring…
Subs to be held at 2023 level
The committee has unanimously agreed to hold subscriptions at last year’s level – £150 for adults – in light of the cost of living crisis. At last year’s AGM it was agreed that a 10 per cent inflation rise would apply for 2024/25 but this has now been put back to 2025/26. Don’t forget that membership for the coming year is due on 1 April and prompt payment is appreciated. Look out for your membership renewal email in the next few days.
The ticket raffle is back for the AGM
The LTA does not allow clubs to hold the Wimbledon ballot of old, but at this year’s AGM the barrel will be out again for a live draw with the top prize being two tickets for – the Eastbourne Championships in June (tbc). There will be other prizes too including drinks vouchers for the Fishbourne Centre. To win you will have to be there in person – another reason then for attending the AGM which this year will be held at the Fishbourne Centre on Wednesday evening 24 April at 7.45pm for 8.00pm.
Fishbourne gets its first Facilities Manager
Dominic Evans is the club’s new facilities manager who will be helping us all ensure that everything at the club works well and looks good. Apart from being uniquely qualified for the role, Dom is a fine tennis player so hopefully we will be seeing him on court soon as well. If you see anything wrong at the club, or have an idea for improvements, let any committee member know so that Dominic can be informed.
More table tennis tournaments
Good news for all the club’s many fans of table tennis. Another Friday evening table tennis sessions in the Fishbourne Centre hall is coming up, following on from the recent sell-out tournament. The date is Friday 22 March and entry is £5 per person with tables, bats and balls available if needed. Members are welcome to bring friends and family, and the bar will be open. Book your place today with Brian Fitch who has generously agreed to be the organiser: [email protected] Going forward, the plan is to make table tennis a regular winter sport at the club.
Get some hitting practice in with our Slinger Bag
A reminder that our superb automatic ball-feeding machine is available to members at no charge for when you want some hitting practice. The machine needs to be booked online, and as an expensive piece of kit it needs to be correctly used and carefully looked after. Committee member Steve Bailey [email protected] is ball machine monitor and he can answer any questions and even organise a demo if you need one. First, though, look at this video to see how the Slinger Bag works: https://youtu.be/KJEB-sN5UfM?si=kHlg5FOUAAkFkJDw
Fishbourne singles league takes off
Twenty six members have signed up for the spring singles tournament following a successful first competition through the winter, initiated and organised by FTC member Michael Gilson. The winners in each of the five winter leagues were James Youell, Gemma Marchant, Phil Tite, Bob Murray and Charles Donnelly who each received drinks vouchers. Singles players signing up for the new tournament include Persephone Hagan and Mavish Yildirim, and the deadline for all matches to be played is March 18.
Coaching with Alex at Generation Tennis
Group coaching, kids’ tennis camps and private lessons are all available at Fishbourne from FTC’s coaching partner Generation Tennis. The schedule for 2024 is the same as last year and information about it can be found on notices in the clubhouse, on both FTC and Generation Tennis websites, and also by emailing chief coach Alex Bone at [email protected] All the classes are very popular and Alex reminds everyone that you cannot just turn up without checking in with him first.
FTC now on Instagram
The club has a new Instagram page, set up by safeguarding officer, Debbie Jupe. Take a look at
https://www.instagram.com/p/C3mzYx8sfoq/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link better still, start posting your own pictures, video clips and information.
What’s on at the Fishbourne Centre
The Fishbourne Centre and the “Pub on the Pitch” are gearing up for a busy spring. Don’t forget the bar is open from 5.30pm every weekday and from 12.00 at weekends, and is open to everyone. Some of the exciting events coming up are as follows, with more details on www.fishbournecentre.org.uk:
- March 16 Spring Fayre in aid of Save the Children
- April 26 Stitches comedy night with Jenny Docherty
- June 1 George Michael tribute act
- June 22 Mid Summer fest with live bands and food and drink stalls
Best wishes from the FTC committee – see you on court and don’t forget to come to the AGM!
