Bewdley Tennis Club proved a smash hit with one of the sport’s highest ranking officials during a visit at the weekend.
Cathie Sabin, president of the Lawn Tennis Association, praised the club during a whistlestop tour of the club on Sunday, March 22.
Sabin was particularly impressed with the club’s efforts in bringing scores of youngsters into the sport and its Term Time Tennis for Women scheme.
Among those welcoming her were head coach Geoff Barrie who presides over the busy coaching programme.
“Clubs like Bewdley at grass roots level are the lifeblood of the sport and it’s been wonderful to hear about the efforts with the juniors and the Term Time Tennis for Women,” said Sabin, who is the first female president in the LTA’s history.
Sabin also met 15 year old Tom Welsh, the club’s reigning men’s singles and doubles champion, while she also had a guided tour of the Stourport Road facility which has just had its three American clay courts resurfaced.
Bewdley was one of two clubs selected by Herefordshire & Worcestershire LTA for a visit with Sabin also visiting Droitwich. Sabin has pledged to visit every county in the country during her three year stint in office,
Jenny Frow, president of the Bewdley club, described the visit as a great success which reflected the club’s great progress made in the past decade which included getting national recognition with Clubmark status back in 2011.
“This visit was definitely an opportunity for us to put Bewdley to the fore and a compliment to be chosen for her to visit,” she said.
“We found Cathie a very grounded person and she was fully aware of the rural needs of tennis, particularly given as she comes from Much Wenlock herself.
“She’s aware of the different needs, and also said that clubs which make efforts with their juniors will also be in the mix for funding.
“As the first woman President she came across as someone who knows about the real world! And she was very interested in our Term Time Tennis for Women scheme (now entering its fifth summer) and has asked that I send her details to take to London and show to relevant people who are aiming to increase women's participation in tennis.”
Sabin was accompanied by Nicola Hall, the county LTA representative on national council, and Richard Herriman county LTA chairman.
** The next Term Time Tennis for Women course starts on April 20. For more details contact Geoff Barrie on 07838236691.