Chairman Andy Butcher welcomed Neil Parish, the MP for Tiverton and Honiton; Councillor Gaynor Sedgwick, Mayor of Seaton; Councillor Steven Williams; David Craner, the Seaton Town Crier; Andy Malcolm of the LTA (Lawn Tennis Association); Max Holloway, representing tennis experts, Babolat; visitors, members, friends and families to Seaton Tennis Club’s annual Open Day on Saturday.
Despite the misty conditions, visitors from 3 years old and upwards joined existing tennis juniors and adults on court to try their hand at fun Mini Tennis games, frantic Cardio sessions, fast and not-so-fast serving speed competitions and more relaxed informal match play. Visitors and members enjoyed the high-quality exhibition doubles match played by Emma Hurst, Ben Elliott, Derek Blackmore and Max Holloway. Off court, the tennis club volunteers served bacon baps, pasties and cakes, creating a warmly convivial and welcoming atmosphere where young and old shared their tennis experiences, families joined the activities and old friends were reunited.
Seaton Town Crier, David called everyone into the new clubhouse extension where Andy Butcher praised the efforts of all the volunteers who run the club, especially thanking the Social Committee for organising the Open Day so brilliantly. He showed slides illustrating the range of tennis activities undertaken at Seaton, highlighting the current coaching and team successes and glimpsing some aspirations for the club’s future development.
Neil Parish spoke of his pride and excitement at the club’s success, especially at the prospect of being able to claim Britain’s number two 18 & Under junior, Emma Hurst, as one of his constituents. He congratulated the coaching team on their work with adults and children and said how impressive the club’s facilities were.
Councillor Gaynor Sedgwick, the Mayor of Seaton, called the tennis club “The Jewel in Seaton’s crown” expressing her pride in the facilities and activities taking place there. Andy Malcolm of the LTA praised the junior and adult coaching programmes and the club’s positive, vibrant atmosphere.
Ben Elliott and his team of coaches are running junior holiday camps during the Easter school break on Tuesday 8th April from 2pm to 5pm, Thursday 10th April from 10am to 1pm, Tuesday 15th April from 2pm to 5pm and Thursday 17th April from 10am to 2pm. The sessions cost £15 each and are open to non-members. Please contact Ben Elliott on 07508 363186 or email b.elliott.tennis@live.co.uk for further details.
For more information about Seaton Tennis Club contact Membership Secretary, Jeremy Warner , on seatontennis@gmail.com, 07973 506312 or visit www.seatontennis.net.