An experienced tennis administrator in Penarth and a former senior officer in Wrexham County Borough Council have joined the board of Tennis Wales.
David Clarke, a former chair and treasurer of Windsor Lawn Tennis Club in Penarth was elected by the South Wales clubs, and Alan Watkin, ex-Chief Officer for Libraries, Leisure, Culture and Communication in Wrexham, was co-opted.
“David also chaired the shadow Board of Tennis Wales in 2006 when we went through the process of incorporation and he set the standard for the businesslike and professional way in which we have tried to run it since,” said Tennis Wales chair Deborah King.
“Alan has been co-opted on to the board to give us the benefit of his knowledge and expertise in local authorities,“ she added.
“He has given huge support to tennis in the borough and to the North Wales Regional Tennis Centre in Wrexham during his 14 years in post. He has considerable experience of working in a strategic and national context with a variety of Welsh and British organisations.”
Meanwhile, Mike Clarke leaves the board, having been a member since its inception in 2006. Before that, he was chair of the South Wales County from 2001-2003 and remains Secretary of the South Wales Management Committee. He is a life member of Radyr Tennis Club, and a previous Chairman of the club.
“During his time on the Board he has made a huge contribution to the smooth running of the business and of taking forward the strategy for tennis, “ said Ms King. “
“Mike’s calm and unruffled approach to everything he does has been invaluable to the board and his common sense outlook, recognising the interests of individual tennis people in Wales without losing sight of the bigger picture has made his contribution to decision-making invaluable. He will continue to be involved through the Four Nations Championship and other projects and my colleagues and I hope that he will return to the board very soon.”