BROADBRIDGE HEATH TENNIS CLUB

CHAIRMAN’S REPORT 2009

As we have some major decisions to make during this meeting, I propose to keep this report as brief as possible. Whatever is decided later in this meeting, you all need to know that your committee have gone beyond the call of duty this year to fight for the future of this club and have put in many hours, especially over the last six months. More of all this later.

We have gained a good number of new members this year and membership stands at 110, which is an increase from 95 last year.

To summarise the year:- the club tournament saw fewer entries in some categories than in recent years and the number of people withdrawing through injury, myself included, was unprecedented. There was no men’s doubles final and the junior final took place several weeks late. The finals did take place in mid – September and there were some excellent matches. There were several new champions this year. Phil Nash beat Rob Leigh in a very dramatic and hard fought final, ending Rob’s 4 year reign. Claudia O’Connell beat Claire Pierce to become the new ladies champion. Claire had more success when she and Sue Tucker won the ladies doubles beating Ann Lines and Sally Trout. Mixed doubles champions are Roger and Elaine Jowett who beat Sue Tucker and Tim Shelton. James Healey beat last year’s junior champion Tom Leach. Well done to everyone who took part and congratulations to all the winners!

This year we handed the coaching over to Michelle Collins who had coordinated the coaching in recent years. Coaching sessions took place on Monday evenings rather than at the weekends and there was a very good take up. Coaching is still taking place on Wednesdays if anyone is interested.

The weather and injuries this year has also affected the club sessions and therefore numbers have not been particularly good. We have continued to hold American Tournaments about once a month, weather permitting, and usually they have been quite well attended. Instead of the usual BBQ for the Wimbledon draw event, we did cream teas and that was a great success.

The state of the courts is a major discussion point for later on so I won’t even start that topic now!

I usually end my report with thanks to the committee for all their hard work but this year I feel that so much time has been given up by all of them on behalf of the club that it cannot be under- estimated how much effort everyone has contributed. I must particularly thank Mike who has been the driving force behind the negotiations and planning for the future of this club, the results of which you will soon become aware. He really has done an amazing job.

Sue Whitty

Chairman
BBHTC