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 Campbell Brown ([email protected]) and the Club Secretary is Mike McKeigue ([email protected]).

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 12:15 pm and is until 1:45 pm.

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 Head Coach Russell Woods .

SPRING MIXED TOURNAMENT

Our first competition is on  was held on Sunday, 19th May.

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!  Entries should be in by Sunday 5 May.

The Championship Finals Day is Sunday 21st July. This is a major event in the club’s calendar and we look forward to a good crowd, of members, families and friends. There is always a good supply of food and drink available including a barbecue.

Junior Summer Singles Tournament and Barbecue is on Saturday 14 September and is always well attended.

There is also a special Family Tournament on 9th June, and a Handicap Tournament and barbecue on 8th September.

SUMMER SOCIAL SESSIONS

Two members oversee each summer Sunday afternoon club session. The pair are on duty between 2pm and 5pm and operate a priority system to ensure balanced fours as far as possible. 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. The duty pair also traditionally supply milk for tea, orange juice and perhaps cake and/or biscuits.

The Sunday social session is open to visitors. Potential new members are very welcome to come along after 2:30pm to try out in a doubles game. A supply of the Club’s newsletter and membership forms is kept in the tennis hut. Don’t 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. The older ones are already challenging for places in the League teams!

For the 2013 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 used depends 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.

Juniors and their parents are very welcome and are encouraged to use the club facilities in arranged games outside of the social sessions. Junior members should remember to wear the current season’s 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 5 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 Summer season barbecue will be held this year on Sunday 8th September 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 4 October.

The Annual General Meeting will be held on Thursday 21 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 McKeigue, 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, Ian Barton, 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, and by patronising the Pavilion Bar (where there is a ‘proper’ coffee machine!).

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 and Twickenham Ales 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.