NPL Tennis Club Teddington

Don’t be fooled by the name. While the club is within the grounds of the National Physical Laboratory and has many connections with the company, NPL Tennis is open to everyone.

We are part of the NPL Sports Club, which also has bowls, cricket, football and hockey sections.

COMMITTEE

The club is run by a committee that is representative of all of the players and social members. Committee members are elected every year from the Club membership, and everyone is expected to serve in some capacity at some time. The current Chairman is Glen Kirton and the Club Secretary is Mike Newman.

ADULT COACHING

An adult Beginner & Intermediate group, which is also open to non-members, runs every Thursday from 9:15 to 10:45 (except during school holidays). Team Coaching takes place every Saturday in the summer season, beginning at 2pm.

Team training will take place on Monday evenings during the summer season from 6pm until approximately 8pm, depending on the light.

Coaching for individual teams can be arranged with Russell by the team captains. Private coaching for individuals or small groups can be arranged with either Head Coach Russell Woods or Club Coach Phil Burnell.

SPRING MIXED TOURNAMENT

This event will be held on Sunday 25 April. It is intended for mixed doubles play and partners will be drawn on the day. New members are especially welcomed. If you would like to enter, please arrive by 2pm. The format of the tournament will be determined by the number of players taking part and matches are likely to continue until the end of the afternoon.

CLUB CHAMPIONSHIPS

All members are encouraged to enter the club championships, which are a great way to remind yourself of how far you’ve come – and how much there is still to achieve! Veena Owen is the organiser this year. Entries should be in by Sunday 2 May, and Saturday 19 June has been set as the date by which all first round matches must be completed.

Finals Day is Saturday 11 September (one week later than last year). This is a major event in the club’s calendar and the support of as many members as possible is welcomed. There is always a good supply of food and drink available including a barbecue.

Junior Summer Singles Tournament is on Saturday 12th June and is always well attended.

There is also a Family Tournament on 13 June, and a Handicap Tournament and barbecue on 11 July.

SUMMER SOCIAL SESSIONS

Two members are appointed to oversee each summer Sunday afternoon club session. The pair will be on duty between 2pm and 5pm and will operate a priority system to ensure balanced fours as far as possible – the aim being to encourage club involvement and a good rotation of players. A duty rota will be posted in the tennis hut and members are asked to arrange a swap or a replacement if the designated date cannot be met.

Having two duty members should mean that both will be able to play some tennis as well as organise the afternoon. However, ‘organisation’ includes looking after the teapot, so playing must have a lower priority! The duty pair should be responsible for supplying milk and perhaps cake and/or biscuits.

The committee has decided to dispense with the organised Open Day and to make the Sunday session open to visitors. Please make every effort to welcome potential new members and to sign them up. A supply of membership forms will be kept in the tennis hut. Don’t let guests leave without one!

JUNIORS

The number of juniors actively playing at the club continues to grow, and some have been with us for several years. We look forward to seeing them challenging for places in the League teams!

For the 2010 summer season the times set aside for junior coaching and play will be:

Monday

4-5pm: Coaching Session 5-14 yrs old

Tuesday

4-5pm: Coaching Session 4-9 yrs old

Wednesday

9am – 12 noon Coaching 2 or more courts, depending on the requirements of the adult club session

5-6pm Coaching Session for 4-14 yrs old

Thursday

4:30pm – 6pm Junior Club Night

Friday

4-5pm: Coaching Session 4-9 yrs old

Saturday

9am – 12 noon Coaching 4 courts

12 noon – 1pm Coaching 1 court

The exact number of courts required will depend on demand. The Thursday Junior Club Night is intended to enable juniors to get match practice against other junior members, under the supervision of a coach who may give guidance and advice.

We hope that juniors and their parents will  feel welcome and encouraged to use the club facilities. Junior members should remember to wear their shoe tag to show that they are members of the club.

WIMBLEDON TICKETS

The club receives an allocation of Wimbledon tickets via our affiliation to the LTA. We are bound to restrict the distribution of Wimbledon tickets to those members who have joined the LTA’s British Tennis Membership scheme. For information, go to www.lta.org.uk/britishtennismembership

The draw for tickets will take place on Sunday 9 May. Any full member who has paid his or her annual subscription is eligible to enter the ballot, which will take place during the club on that day. A notice will be put in the hut around 3 weeks before the draw detailing our allocation of tickets and inviting members to submit their names for the ballot.

BARBECUE

The mid-season barbecue will be held this year on Sunday 11 July to follow the Handicap Tournament. Families and friends of members are very welcome.

PRESENTATION DINNER AND AGM

The Presentation Dinner is one of the year’s highlights with good food, good company, a very limited number of witty speeches and the presentation of trophies to the club champions. Awards may also be made to each captain’s ‘Player of the Year’ and there is the traditional quiz. This year the Dinner will be held on Friday 8 October.

The Annual General Meeting will be held on Thursday 25 November. This is when next year’s committee will be chosen and it is an opportunity for any member to propose a change in the club’s Rules. Notice of any proposed resolution has to be sent to the Secretary, Mike Newman, at least 14 days before the date of the meeting.

GENERAL

Organisation of Events

The organisers of the various playing and social events throughout the year always welcome help from members, particularly the newer members. All ideas for additional events or for ways to improve the existing activities are also welcomed.

Visitors’ Fees

While the club does not charge a guest fee, there is a limit of six visits per guest, and six introductions per member. The member introducing a visitor is responsible for completing the visitors’ book and for ensuring that the visitor receives a membership application form.

Tennis Balls

New tennis balls are provided for all home matches, for Finals Day and once a week for club sessions. After reasonable use, the old balls are given to local schools. Only a committee member or the team captains are entitled to take balls from store.

Tennis Clothing

Players must wear proper tennis shoes and recognised tennis clothing.

Maintenance, Repairs and Improvements

The Club tries hard to improve the facilities on and around the tennis courts, to keep members subscriptions to a minimum. The co-ordinator, Huw Williams, will be pleased – in fact overjoyed – to hear from members willing to assist with any of the maintenance and improvement work. All members can help to prolong the life of the synthetic grass courts by sweeping away any stones, twigs etc before they play.

Parking

It is advisable to park your car on the Queens Road Gate side of the Sports Field. Cars which are parked nearer the pavilion can cause congestion and inconvenience – and are at risk from fast-travelling cricket and hockey balls! Please do not drive on the grass playing areas. For safety reasons, parking will be restricted to the top side of the sports fields when junior sports activities are taking place there. Please do NOT attempt to pass the barrier when it is in place.

Tennis Hut

Tea and coffee are available, and contributions are helpful. There is a fridge (and a freezer) for cold drinks. Parents of juniors attending coaching can help a great deal by tidying up the hut after the Saturday morning sessions.

Pavilion Bar

The pavilion bar is licensed until 11.00pm from Monday to Saturday and, depending on demand, may be open until 10.30pm on Sunday. The real ales from Fullers are recommended. Social events, open to members of all Sports Sections, are arranged from time to time by the Pavilion Committee. Look out for announcements in the Pavilion.