Dear Members Hope you're all looking forward to playing tennis again very soon. The excitement in the committee is certainly building, as is the temperature outside happily.
We have been very busy planning ahead so there is plenty for you to read in this newsletter: Re opening (finally!) and Club nights restart from 29th March New booking system being trialled (new) Court repainting update Events and ladders restart (finally!) New member trials and rusty racquets sessions (new) Ball machine available for hire Fixtures reminder Coach's corner Please continue to keep an eye on our facebook group for the latest news outside of these newsletters: https://www.facebook.com/groups/2363389568. We know that not everyone uses facebook and are considering a refresh of the website. If anyone has skills and time to volunteer to help please contact us via [email protected] In the meantime stay safe, stay fit and we will be seeing you on the courts on the 29th March. Court re-opening recap Courts will be re-opening from 29th March for social singles and doubles.
- Club nights will restart from the 29th March - The tennis pavilion may be used for the purposes of switching on the lights and toilets only when opened by a member with a pavilion key. Only one member or family group may be inside the pavilion at a time and please use the hand sanitiser provided - The main sports club clubhouse and bar will remain closed on that date, please see their latest update regarding when they plan to re-open the bar for outdoor service - Please remember to follow social distancing at all times, however excited you may be to see your opponents again Please click on the following link for the latest LTA guidance (last update 18th March)
Booking system Due to increasing pressure on the courts, especially at weekends and school holidays, we have decided to trial a booking system till the end of May. We will use FastCourts, an easy to use, secure booking system, used successfully by Chalfont St. Peter and Stoke Poges tennis clubs. This will particularly help us avoid any congregation outside the courts while Covid restrictions remain in place and we know the courts will be popular with them being re-opened.
Further details including tips, and rules about how it will work will be mailed to active members separately. Active members will be sent logon details from FASTcourt.
If you still need to join for this year, or wish to rejoin please go to https://fcsc.org.uk/
Getting the courts ready for a great summer of Tennis Advance notice that re-painting of courts 3&4 is planned to take place between 26th April and 21st May depending on the weather. The courts will be out of use for about 10 days during the re-painting and will then be in great condition for the summer. Once the exact dates are confirmed we’ll let you know.
Tiger Turf Courts 1&2 were moss treated early March and then will be Power Brushed on 23rd March to get the surface into top condition before the summer starts. There’ll also be a new net on Court 1, so no more chance of serving the ball through the net!
Events and ladders are back on!
Social "post-lockdown" Tournament - Saturday 17th April We are looking forward to hold our first social tennis tournament of the year on the afternoon of 17th April. We have chosen this date as, all going well, the clubhouse bar will be open by then and we can all have the long awaited opportunity for a couple of social drinks after the tennis (whilst following all the appropriate guidelines at that time).
The exact format will be confirmed nearer the time but it will be handicapped so open to all abilities. No need to come with a partner or enter in advance. For now, please just save the date.
Singles Ladders You will recall that we previously planned singles ladders for both Men and Ladies at the start of the year to give players the chance to get in some semi-competitive matches and also meet new people. These plans were obviously put on hold due to the lockdown but we are pleased nearly everyone who entered previously is keen to play in these during the summer months and they will therefore kick off again from 1 April. There are no set times for these matches and can be played when it suits you and your opponent.
We will start from 1 April anyone is welcome to get involved in the ladders, so if interested contact @Maggie Southerden for ladies or @Andrew Davidson for mens if you haven't done already.
New member play and Rusty Racquets
New member Play We are keen to give potential new members to the club a chance to come along and have a trial session, meet some members and chat about the club whilst having a friendly hit. This will be a good opportunity for those who are thinking about joining the club and help them meet people and learn which club sessions may be suitable for them.
Any potential new member may have an introduction with someone of a similar age group and then arrange a time to play. These new member trials can be done with members of the committee and we we would love to open it up to members who would like to help grow the club.
These potential members sessions would not have a specific time and would be arranged according to schedules of the new member and those in the “welcome group”. We will be advertising this scheme on in various places including on the village Facebook groups and as an email to the wider sports club. If you're interested in being involved in the “welcome group” please contact [email protected]
Rusty Racquets (members only) We are aware that for some they may be uncertain about joining men’s and ladies club nights, for those who either new to tennis or just getting back into it. Although we do welcome all standards at our club nights we therefore want to start a “rusty racquets” session to enable people to have social games and meet people of their standard.
The initial plan is this will be on selected Sunday afternoons from 3pm but there is also the option of running them on a Tuesday or a Friday evening. So if this is something that would be of interest to you, please do contact [email protected] and let him know and a preference on timing and we can then go from there
Ball machine is now available for practice
The FCTC ball machine has been moved to a dedicated cupboard (thanks Andy D for the donation) in the tennis pavilion, to make it easier to take out and use. The ball machine is available for members over 18 to use for an annual fee of £10 which will pay for the upkeep of the machine and replacement balls, there are two buckets of balls supplied with the machine.
There are easy to use instructions available in the cupboard and for members who would like to use the ball machine there will be a short training session. If you are interested in getting access to the ball machine, please contact Alan Polding at [email protected].
Fixtures
We have entered a number of Mens, Ladies and Medley teams in the league. Sandra B is working hard to arrange fixtures some of which start as early as April and May. Fixtures will be posted on the club website http://fcsc-tennis.weebly.com
If you would like to play in a team and haven't been in one before, please contact Maggie Southerden as the Ladies Captain or Paul Morgan as Mens Captain to express your interest.
Coach's Corner
Stephen and the team are busy as always getting ready for re-opening. Here are some of the highlights for you to be aware of.
Easter camps are running as below. Reminder that some of the courts will be unavailable due to Stephen's popular Juniors Tennis camps, this will be clear in the new booking system. If you still want to sign your kids up then please let him know directly via [email protected]
Summer Term coaching: Schedule has now been released as follows (subject to Covid restrictions). These dates are for summer term excluding Half term 31st May - 6th June. Each of the below classes will have a maximum of 8 players in the class making our coach/player ratio’s amongst (if not) the lowest in the County/Country: Tuesday @ Farnham Common Tennis Club: 20th April – 20th July (13 weeks) 3:30-4:20pm Mini Tennis Red (4-7yrs) 4:45-5:35pm Mini Tennis Green/Yellow Ball (10-13yrs) 5:35-6:25pm Mini Tennis Red/Orange (7-9yrs) Cost: £130 members, £162.50 non-members Wednesday at Farnham Common Tennis Club: 21st April – 21st July (13 weeks) 10:30-11:20am Cardio Tennis (a great workout fitness class with music!!) Cost: £130 members, £162.50 non-members Thursday at Farnham Common Tennis Club: 22nd April – 15th July (12 weeks) 3-4:15pm Farnham Common Junior School pupils (8-11yrs) Cost: £120 members, £132 non-members Friday at Farnham Common Tennis Club: 23rd April – 16th July (12 weeks) 3-4:15pm Farnham Common Junior and Infant School pupils (5-9yrs) Cost: £120 members, £132 non-members Saturday at Farnham Common Tennis Club 24th April – 17th July (12 weeks) 9-9:50am Mini Tennis Blue (3-5yrs) 9-9:50am Mini Tennis Red (5-8yrs) 9-9:50am Mini Tennis Red (6-9yrs) 10-10:50am Mini Tennis Red (6-9yrs) 10-10:50am Mini Tennis Orange (7-9yrs) 10-10:50am Mini Tennis Green (8-11yrs) 11-11:50am Bronze Squad (12-16yrs) 11-11:50am Adult Intermediate Class Cost: £120 members, £150 non-members
Junior Teams: Farnham Common Tennis Club have entered 6 teams in the Summer leagues this year. Good luck to all junior players who will be representing the club this year - particularly Nikash, George, Alex, Millie and Amelia who will also be playing a little with the adults this year in the hope that they move on to play for the adults teams in years to come. The teams are: 8/U Mixed, 10/U Mixed, 12/U Girls, 12/U Boys, 14/U Boys, 16/U Girls