Her Royal Highness, the Duchess of Gloucester, The Honorary President of the LTA attended the LTA’s 2012 AGM at the National Tennis Centre in Roehampton on 12 December 2012.
Her Royal Highness presented meritorious service awards to a number of volunteers in recognition of their outstanding contribution to tennis. The 2012 award winners were: Keith Dewick, Buckinghamshire; Gavin Masterton, Hertfordshire; Nick Greenwood, Sussex; John Poxon, Nottinghamshire; John Ramsbottom, Yorkshire and Maureen Laffey nominated by the Association of British Tennis Officials. Gavin, Keith and Maureen attended the AGM to receive their awards from Her Royal Highness in person.
Newspaper reports read:
A 77-year-old tennis enthusiast from Buckinghamshire has been recognised for his dedication to the sport after winning the Lawn Tennis Association’s (LTA) prestigious Meritorious Service Award.
Little Chalfont’s Keith Dewick, who took up the sport following a master class with the great Fred Perry when he was 16, has been a stalwart of Buckinghamshire Tennis for nearly 50 years and was recently elected as President of Bucks LTA.
It was his tireless work throughout the county organising tennis tournaments, chairing clubs and occupying a Bucks LTA Councillor role since 1964 that saw him nominated for the award.
“I was utterly shocked when I got the letter through the post saying I’d won the award,” he said.
“It’s a great honour and a privilege to have won it but I couldn’t have done it without the support of so many people, especially my family who were always very understanding of my commitments.
“I’ve had so much joy over the years working in a sport which is really my hobby; I’ve travelled the world and made countless friends – it’s been a joy.”
Keith’s involvement in tennis hasn’t just seen him excel off court; he’s also refereed the Bucks Junior County Closed tournament for over 25 years and officiated at national and international level.
He has also been Chairman of the Aylesbury and District Tennis League since 1967 and is the current President of the United Banks LTA. He has been Chairman of the National Four Nations Committee since 1996 and served on numerous LTA Committees during his time as a councillor.
To read full report on the LTA AGM http://www.lta.org.uk/News/2012/December/2012-10-12/Her-Royal-Highness-the-Duchess-of-Gloucester-attends-LTA-2012-AGM/