This weekend is a significant one for the future of Suffolk tennis, with our highly promising 10 and Under Girls’ team competing in the Aegon National Finals at Bolton. Our talented trio of Kylie Bilchev, Harriet Petley and Sofia Khalyaeva swept aside Bedfordshire, Essex, Cambridgeshire and Norfolk in the previous round a fortnight ago, and although they now take on seven other leading counties, there is every reason to be optimistic.
These three players all aspire to play at the highest level, and who’s to say we won’t see them competing one day on the beautiful grasscourts at Wimbledon ? For the vast majority of players finding the “right” club is probably their priority, and there is certainly plenty of opportunity with a large number of Places to Play to be found within the very diverse county that is Suffolk. Most tennis enthusiasts will know all about the historic Felixstowe Tennis Club at Bath Road, but how many will have heard of Dellwood Lawn Tennis Club ?
Felixstowe’s best kept secret is situated at the side of the Town Football Ground at Dellwood Playing Fields, and two grass tennis courts which are accessed from Colneis Road are the home to Delwood Tennis Club. The club has existed for over 80 years, and in the 1930s it was run by St.George’s Church and known as St.George’s Tennis Club. The members took over the management of the club in 2005 and renamed it Delwood Lawn Tennis Club.
Club records show that in 1926 the Ladies’ Singles Cup was won by a Miss L.Clarke, and in the mid 1930s, a Miss I. Platt won the trophy for several years in succession. Membership is open to adults, juniors and families, and the club is looking for more players to join their social club evenings from 6.30pm onwards on Tuesdays and Thursdays, May to September, with the fee just £1.50 per week payable as an annual subscription. All standards are welcome, and for more details contact the Secretary, Gina Cooper, on 01394-272466/
07803748219 or e-mail : info@ginacooper.co.uk
From an urban setting to a typical rural club, as we take a look at Sproughton Tennis Club.Coach John Tallent runs a comprehensive programme for the local children, with his Summer Coaching now having reached the halfway point. The youngest group caters for 5 to 11 year olds and runs from 3.50pm to 4.50pm on a Thursday, and will be starting competitions shortly. The older group has already started their Singles League, Nathan currently leading on 29 points from Joe in 2nd with 25.
The club will be having a special birthday celebration on Sunday June 24th at 2pm at Sproughton Playing Field, Church Lane, Sproughton. As with many other rural clubs of this nature they are very keen to attract new members, and those interested should contact John Tallent on 01473-402307, with more information available at :www.sproughtontennis.co.uk
Stowmarket coach Chris Cunningham, the Suffolk LTA Coach of the Year, helped out at the Suffolk Show on the Thursday, and he runs “Come and Play” fun sessions for members and non-members as follows: Saturday 9.30am-10.30am, 4-6 years (RED), Saturday 10.30am-11.30am, 7-9 years (ORANGE), Thursday 6pm to 7pm, 10+ yrs (GREEN) (01473-673246)
Club tennis remains the life-blood of the game, and I’d be delighted to receive any other information about club activities at: petermornard@aol.com Finally, warm congratulations to Suffolk LTA Chairman Mike Watling and County Administator Sheelagh Watts, who braved the rain on Tuesday to attend a Garden Party at Sandringham as recognition for their outstanding dedication and service on behalf of Suffolk Tennis. Our clubs need constant support and help from both Tennis East and the Suffolk LTA, and Mike and Sheelagh are indefatigable workers without whom this vital service simply wouldn’t happen.