Dear Haddenham Tennis Club Members:
We have had some good high lights this year and our finances have been particularly strong under the excellent stewardship of our treasurer John Binstead. The strong financial performance was achieved despite membership numbers dropping slightly last year, but membership is up this year.
The Summer 2007 A&DL results were: The Winter 2007/8 A&DL results were:
L1 D1 second L1 D1 fifth Relegated
L2 D3 sixth Relegated L2 D4 fifth
L3 D5 sixth Relegated
M1 D2 Winners Promoted M1 D1 fourth
M2 D3 fourth M2 D2 fifth Relegated
M3 D4 Winners Promoted
MX1 D1 fourth MX1 D1 third
MX2 D3 Winners Promoted MX2 D2 third
MX3 D4 fifth
Cups for last year were presented at the annual Aylesbury & District Presentation Dinner Dance and the Mixed 1 team should be congratulated for their unique performance, having won the Mixed Winter League Division 1 for a remarkable six straight years. Pictures from the night are in the 'Pictures' section: http://groups.msn.com/haddenhamtennisclub/shoebox.msnw
We had another good year in the men’s Bucks Shield and won Division 4B gaining promotion to Division 2B this year due to the reorganisations of the league. It should prove to be a tough year so good luck to the team.
Due to the number of eligible team players the Men’s winter third team has been dropped and we entered the Bucks Winter Shield in an attempt to still provide team play for the men’s 3 squad and avoid selection clashes. We won the division and are undefeated to date.
In the Ladies Thames Valley Winter League we have retained two ladies teams to give all ladies who wish to play team tennis the opportunity to play competitive tennis.
Finals Day
We had a rain interrupted finals day (only the second in 21 years), but we managed to finish all the finals and there were some excellent matches. Thanks to Lloyd Griffiths for organising the club tournament.
Coaching
Mark Bright and Caroline Care are our main coaching staff and Andrew Aitken has now joined the coaching team. Andrew has his DCA qualification and is concentrating on junior development.
With school coaching we are delighted to report that our requests for financial help have been very successful. Many thanks to the Haddenham Parish Council who have provided an annual grant towards coaching in the Community Junior School and a special thanks to the Haddenham Real Ale Committee who has generously promised to help fund coaching in all the Haddenham Schools and make good any deficits based on an agreed plan. The future funding is dependent on the financial success of the Real Ale Festival which, based on this year’s take up, seems pretty well assured. The tennis club will continue with its significant contribution in organising and providing coaches for the sessions.
Summer Tennis Camp
This years summer camp will be held from Monday 4 August to Friday 8 August and Monday 18 August to Friday 22 August. These will be fun sessions with multi sports for all children from 5 to 16 years. Full details are on this web site and can also be obtained via email on: haddenhamtennisclub@hotmail.com
Summer Ball
This was held at The Oxfordshire with dancing to DeJaVu who were a huge hit. Due to clashing events the numbers attending was a bit lower than expected but those who came certainly enjoyed themselves. This years event has yet to be decided, so any suggestions welcome.
Christmas Dinner
Last years Christmas Dinner was at Pembroke College Oxford and was probably the best we have had with its unique festive atmosphere, carols and disco. This year we shall be repeating the event at Pembroke and hope to get more attending due to the outstanding success of last year. Do get your names down as soon as possible - book early for Christmas!
Courts & Facilities
A working party did a Herculean job on thinning the conifers and weeding. Linked to this activity the club raised £150 for the local PACE charity for disabled children supported by Greg Rudzesky. The main club and school courts have been cleaned and treated for moss and the Rotary club has put new benches on the bank overlooking the courts. It is hoped to update the patio area and this should make the court surround look much more attractive. The Rotary club have now installed three benches in the Playing Fields, two of which are on the bank overlooking the courts and these are a great addition and are being used a lot already.
We are looking forward to seeing how Tuesday and Friday Club nights are supported and early indications are that numbers are on the increase.
The President’s team won the annual New Years day tournament.
We have a full allocation of Wimbledon tickets bt next year some changes are to be made based on British Tennis membership and the latest position will be discussed in full at the AGM and details are on the LTA web site on: http://www.lta.org.uk/
Sincere thanks to all the Committee, Margaret Aston our President and Rod Aitken Vice Chairman & Club Secretary, John Binstead Treasurer, working parties and the members for their support, contributions and time over the last year in helping run the club.Officers: *Margaret Aston: President, Bev Wilson: Chairman, John Binstead: Treasurer, Rod Aitken: Vice Chairman & Club Secretary, Margaret Aston: Fixture Secretary, Fiona Daniels: Membership Secretary, Margaret Wilson: Junior Co-ordinator, Mark Bright: Club Coach, Caroline Care: Club Coach, Andrew Aitken Assistant Coach, Committee Members: Lloyd Griffiths, Sara Rydings, John Church and new this year, Julie Burton.
Bev Wilson
Internet & Email connection information:
The main tennis club WEB site can be accessed from http://groups.msn.com/haddenhamtennisclub This site is kept up to date with team results, club information and photos of events, the role of honour championship results and information of general interest.
For email the tennis club address is: haddenhamtennisclub@hotmail.com
