One of our older juniors had a nice surprise at the Mini Red coaching on Saturday . Angelo Go (15) - known to everyone as AJ arrived as usual to help club coach, Ian Watson with the 1pm Mini Tennis Reds session and was told to "wait a minute".
The 12 o/clock group plus the 1pm players formed a group and Club President, Bryan Sharp, presented the club's Junior Silver Award to a very surprised AJ. I'm told he thought he'd done something wrong! The award goes each year to the junior who is considered to have done the most for the club both on and off court. AJ started helping Ian as part of his Duke of Edinburgh Award but has continued to be there every Saturday to assist by hitting with the young players.
Photo - Albany Mini Red players with coach Ian Watson, AJ Go and Club President Bryan Sharp
Albany stepped in at fairly short notice to host the Isle of LTA League presentations
in the club lounge. Hastily but expertly arranged by the IOMLTA new Secretary, Jackie Russell and assisted by Chairman, Stuart Colligon and Robby Orr the evening went well with over 40 attending. Everyone enjoyed fish or sausage and chip suppers. Ron Sibthorpe, League Secretary, did an excellent job with the presentation of trophies - seven of which went to Albany teams - plus medals for everyone who has played league tennis. Daphne and Hannah Snidal ran a raffle with many lovely prizes. I don't yet know the total raised but it will be used for the Island Games team to travel to Gibraltar in 2019. They will be having more fund raisers in the future so if you can support them please do.
A reminder that the club's AGM will be held on Wednesday 29 Nov in the club lounge starting at 6.30pm. The official notice has been sent out and anyone requiring a copy of the minutes of last year's AGM should contact me - albanytennispr@manx.net
Jan Gaskill and I are running a Christmas competition with several nice seasonal prizes. Look out for the chart and put your name on a square.