BERTRAM LAWN TENNIS CLUB - NEWSLETTER

 

 

 

FEBRUARY 2010

 

Bertram LTC starts 2010 in expectation of another year of the Club continuing to move forward on all fronts to improve our membership benefits.  Over the last three years or so our competitive league teams have progressed in the Summer Wirral League, and we look forward to the new season starting in late April. We have fielded five Winter League teams so we have the momentum going into the new season.  We will also have a Friendly team in summer, when anyone wanting friendly competition is welcome to play. Club tennis for fun includes Wednesday Adult evenings and Friday Junior evenings. 

 

This year we are particularly keen to get more players of all standards using the courts, so we will be introducing some mixed ability tournaments which give everyone a chance.

 

We are also continuing to invest in the Clubhouse and general facilities to make it an atmosphere you will want to be part of.  But Tennis is about having fun, improving of course, but meeting people and enjoying the benefits of outdoor sport.  We are also keen to see our young members and juniors develop, and we intend to get full use from the Mini-Tennis court and coaching opportunities.

 

Membership Renewal 

 

We very much hope that you will renew your membership for the 2010 season, and enclose the Membership Renewal form with this Newsletter. Also enclosed is a New Membership form which we would ask you to pass on to anyone you know who might be interested in playing tennis at the club. The good news is that there are no increases planned in this years subscriptions. Please complete the form and return it with your cheque before the final date for renewals which is 31st March. Timely payments do allow your Committee to budget the year properly, and we do have plenty of ideas, not just to maintain, but to improve facilities.

 

British Tennis Membership

 

Last year 140 members joined British Tennis, and those memberships are on-going. However there were still 60 or so members that did not sign up. British Tennis is a Lawn Tennis Association (LTA) initiative. It is free to join, and as well as publishing monthly e-newsletters, they offer event discounts, prize draws etc., but perhaps most importantly to many is that the Club’s Wimbledon allocation is based on the number of British Tennis members. Membership application forms are in the Clubhouse, or you can apply on-line at

www.lta.org.uk/membership, or telephone 0845 873 7202.

 

Dates for your diary

 

Quiz Nights:  The first of five this year was held at the Clubhouse on Friday 5th February.

The other dates for the year are:  9th April, 4th June, 1st October & 3rd December. Start time is  8.30pm.

 

American Tournament & BBQ:  Sunday 10th April – more details to follow

 

Club Open Day:     Saturday 1st May.

 

 Treasure Hunt:     Walking Family Treasure Hunt from the Clubhouse on Sunday afternoon 6th June.

 

 Other Events will be communicated shortly.

Grounds & Facilities

 

We have had the Clubhouse floor problems all repaired now, although we are considering new carpet tile flooring.  The next phase is to refurbish the two changing rooms. Last year an application was made to the ‘Your Wirral’ Fund for financial support and, great news just this week; we have heard that we have been awarded £2500 towards the costs! It was of course ‘Your Wirral’ that helped us create the Mini-Tennis court at the back of the Clubhouse.

For those players who have kept up the momentum of playing through the winter we are pleased to advise that we have purchased two 5’ wide ‘rain shuttles’ to quickly clear standing water from the courts. They are kept in the porch, and are on rollers for ease of use. Hopefully they will be redundant in the Summer!

 

Honours Boards and Club Trophies

 

The Committee would very much like to provide honours boards in the Clubhouse to record our history and individual successes – funds permitting.  Also we want to replace some of the missing Club trophies. There have already been some offers of donations, so if you feel able to donate a trophy, or know a business for instance that may assist, please contact any Committee member.

 

Local LTA Courses

 

The Club wants to involve more juniors in assisting and supporting the Club and there are two short courses which may be of interest.  There will be no cost to individuals.

Tennis Leaders Award – This one day certificated course at Bidston is for 13 – 16 year olds who have an interest in tennis – entry into coaching or just volunteering within their clubs. It takes place from 9.30am to 3.30pm on Wednesday 17th February.

Young Competition Organisers course – for 16+ juniors, (& there will be another later for adults). The course provides the basic skills for organizing Club competitions. To be held at Pensby High School on Monday 15th March, 4.00 – 7.00pm.      Juniors interested should contact Glyn Morgan 0151 632 2455 to reserve a place.

 

 

Club Website

 

The Website will shortly be fully updated as we enter the new season. We will regularly update the Website with more information than we can tell you about through our Newsletters.  Please become a regular visitor and bookmark  http://www.bertramltc.co.uk.

We are now also on Facebook – Bertram Lawn Tennis Club. This is an open group; anyone can join and invite others to join. It will shortly display up to date Club information, send members the latest event details, and it also includes a direct link to the above Webpage.

 

 

 Please continue to support your Bertram LTC Committee during 2010.