Latika JTC held a reunion party on Sunday 11th September to celebrate the club’s 40th year of providing tennis coaching to juniors.
Denise Walker, Latika’s Chairman, was delighted to welcome former members, parents and friends of Latika from each of the 4 decades the club has been in existence, including the first Secretary, the first President, and several of the original members from 1971 – many of whom still play tennis now. They were also very pleased to welcome back Ara Martyrossian who was Head Coach at the club for many years, several of his former pupils, and current members and committee members. Ara said:
“Latika is a unique club; being juniors only, and run by a dedicated team of parents.
The joy of seeing children play tennis & make good friends showed so much when we gathered on the 40th anniversary to meet & greet some old friends.
Latika has produced many county champions, who have gone on to become professional tennis players. I have always been proud to have been a part of the club”.
About fifty guests, some of whom had travelled a long distance to attend the event at the club’s Farley Wood home, were able to peruse a display of photos, memorabilia and trophies of Latika from inception to the present day, meet up with old friends and had an opportunity to play competitive tennis.
Roger and Gill Tyler were committee members in the 1980’s and parents of Nigel and Martin Tyler. Roger and Gill wrote:
“We thoroughly enjoyed meeting up again with those that were our contemporaries in the 1980’s. Nigel and Martin were delighted to meet up with their old playing partners. Latika has certainly gone from strength to strength and we wish it many more years of success.”
Denise Walker said that whilst Latika continued to evolve, it was evident that the ethos of the club had not changed at all since 1971. The focus of the club is to welcome and encourage any junior who wants to play tennis, through fun games and structured coaching and Denise was proud to see how well Latika had stood the test of time.
For further details regarding Latika Junior Tennis Club please go to www.latika.co.uk