Change of Season at Andover Tennis Club

Andover tennis club provides match play opportunities in a number of teams promoting both excellence and inclusion. In summer thirteen teams are entered in three leagues; the Hampshire and Isle of Wight League, the Sarum League and the Basingstoke League.

Highlights of the Summer season were wins for Linda Penn’s Sarum Senior Ladies, Adrian Shapter’s Men’s A team in the Basingstoke league, and Ben Mead’s Men’s B and Louise Martin’s Mixed B in the same league.

All the teams had enjoyable competition throughout the summer from April to September. The Captains, including Mark Osmond, Claire Reid, Keith Robinson Sophie Annett, Jennie Pope and Reece Simpson are to be applauded for undertaking the organisation to ensure that matches happen.

Martyn Isherwood, Gregor Corcoran, Adrian Shapter, Alex Boldis, Ned Barnett, Harry Frisby, Mark Williams and Ben Mead.

The winter tennis season has started at the club and there are nine teams entered this year. In the Basingstoke League there are Men’s A, B and C teams, Ladies A and B teams, and Mixed A and B teams. Also in the Sarum League we have an A and a B team.

The first men’s match in the Basingstoke League was between the A and the B team, both of whom are in Division 1. The B team under Captain Ben mead had a great winter season last year and were promoted from Division two. This season will prove a greater challenge and starting with a match against the A team was a reminder of this. In spite of enjoying many good rallies, the greater consistency and stronger net play of the A team players gave them an 8-0 win.

Andover’s Men’s C team also started the season well with a 7-1 win against Sherborne, under Captain Keith Robinson. Keith partnered Richard Shipway and his son Isaac played with Declan Cann.

Jennie Pope’s Sarum A team managed a draw against Victoria Park, by dint of a fighting comeback in their last set by Jennie and partner Al Williams, changing a 5-1 deficit to a 7-5 win.

The team had lost their first match against a strong Winchester side playing at home.

Claire Reid’s Sarum B team had a 4-4 draw with Salisbury A and then a 6-2 win against the Salisbury B team.

Louise Martin’s Ladies B team opened their account with a 5-3 win against David Lloyd Newbury.

Adrian Shapter’s mens’ A followed up their win against the B team with another 8-0 win at home against Riseley, who are past winners. Singles champion, Kyrill Kennett and Phil Seys lost very few games in winning both rounds . New member Jack Lindsay- Charlton made a great debut with Alex Boldis, and they had a straightforward first round but met with real opposition in the second . They needed determination to win both sets on a tie break.

Tennis is a game for all seasons…especially with the luxury of indoor courts. Taking part is what matters. The season has started well.

Trevor Blake

The Wingfield Tournament

The Club enjoyed a lovely afternoon of tennis and weather, on Sat June 28th June, as it welcomed non members and members alike, to this year’s Wingfield Tournament. With 24 participants attending and a high standard of play throughout the afternoon, the mixed doubles partners were picked randomly and a handicap system was in place to take account of differing playing standards.

After 3 hours of mixed play, a riveting final was played between partners Harvey Stuart and Amy Roberts and their opponents, Bill Stuart and Christine Pickford, with Harvey and Amy victors in a closely fought match.

Many thanks to everyone who helped make the event enjoyable and fun, especially Claire Reid, our Head of Tennis, who organised and directed the day so brilliantly.

Pickleball has arrived at ALTC!

ALTC’s inaugural Pickleball taster session took place recently, led by Gary and Lucy, Pickleball coaches at Andover Leisure Centre.

The session was well attended by members and everyone thoroughly enjoyed the experience, prompting further discussion around the introduction of the sport into the Club’s regular programming - watch this space!

The session was rounded off with afternoon tea, and a profit of £80 was made for the Club.
Thanks to Linda Penn for organising the session and to all those who supported on the day.

Celebration Event for Bashir Kara

Please join us for a special event at the Club in memory of Bash.

This special event is open to all minis and juniors - please come along and enjoy a morning of fun tennis!

Bash's family will be presenting the new Bash Kara Cup to the Club with an inaugural presentation to its first recipient at around 9:45/10:00am.

This will be followed by a presentation of the memory book to the family.

The kitchen will be offering refreshments throughout the morning with all proceeds being donated to Naomi House & Jack's Place - Bash's chosen charity.

To book you place at the event, please contact Joe Revelle at  joe@jrtennis.co.uk

Quiz Night

Good food, fun, laughter and some cerebral exercise, were on the menu at ALTC’s Quiz Night in February.

Close to 50 quizzers in six teams, vied to answer questions posed by stellar inquisitor, Jeremy Hann, and his assistant Mark Williams.

A delicious supper of chilli and baked potatoes, followed by apple crumble, was cooked by tennis club members and universally applauded. Wine, beer and soft drinks were on sale at the bar, while tickets for the impressive raffle prizes, collected by Linda Penn and sold by Jane Laborda, raised £255 for the club.

The outstanding team of Bill Stuart, his son Alex, Jane Laborda, Alex Seal and Louise Martin won the quiz and the coveted luxury Easter eggs prizes. All in all, the evening was a great success – here’s to the next one later in the year. Watch this space for the date and details.

ALTC Coaching Update

Following on from the recent announcement about Joe Revelle resigning from the club, I am pleased to announce that James McIntosh is appointed Head of Coaching at ALTC from 22nd April. A handover will take place between Joe and James during April and both will work hard to avoid any disruption, so it's business as usual for everyone.

Many of you will know James as he is both a coach at the club and a parent on Saturdays at the junior coaching sessions.

James is currently employed at the West Hants Tennis Club as Head of Adult Programmes and Junior (12+) coaching. James is a Level 5 Master Club Coach and is also the Head Coach of the GB Learning Disability Team (he is taking the GB team to the World Championships in May).

James lives in Andover.

James will introduce some new coaching programmes and these will be communicated in March.

So many thanks to Joe for his hard work in building a strong coaching programme and welcome to James.

REMINDER - ALTC AGM - Thu 20th Feb 6pm @ The Clubhouse

The focus of the meeting will be on two things:
Firstly, proposing a new structure and electing those who are standing into these roles - everyone is a volunteer, prepared to give up their time and so thank you all for standing.
Once everyone is in role, the focus will be implementing plans to grow the club  and engage all members with a busy year of tennis and social activity.
Secondly, the Finance Report, which will be a brief look at the previous year and then the forecast for the year ahead.

All adult members are invited and we very much hope you will be able to attend.

Brian Stuart's 90th Birthday

Happy 90th Birthday to Brian Stuart!
Brian is one of our honorary member at ALTC. He was a very accomplished team player and also served on the committee for many years in several roles, including chairman. He is also Dad and Grandad to our club member’s Bill and Harvey, respectively.
Many congratulations and thanks, Brian
From all of use at ALTC

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