Summer 2021 Newsletter Dear Members Time has flown since our last newsletter, the courts have been very busy and we have welcomed yet more new members. It has been great to see so many new faces at the club nights. And now of course Wimbledon has started there is plenty of tennis even when we get home.
Featured in today's newsletter: Club Championships updateReminder of Club nightsSocial tournament - moved from 11th July to Saturday 25th SeptemberJunior Match updateCoach's cornerPlease continue to keep an eye on our facebook group for the latest news outside of these newsletters, Andy is keeping the Club Champs updated there. https://www.facebook.com/groups/2363389568. The website has more club news and information.
Finally, though it all feels as though we are approaching normal please remember to abide by the LTA rules on social distancing, no more than one person or household in the pavilion at a time and please use the hand sanitiser. As of writing the bar is open, table service only for groups of 6 or one household per table.
If you still need to join for this year, or wish to rejoin please go to https://fcsc.org.uk/
Club Championships update
The FCTC club championships 2021 have now been launched. We have 44 different people taking part across the various competitions (the format of these are included below).
These will culminate in a finals day on Sunday 5th September. We hope to make this a big club social event with a bbq and drinks whilst those not playing can watch and support their friends so do put this date in the diary and come along even if you are not playing. We are aware of a few situations where people are having to self-isolate and therefore delay matches, we do suggest organising your matches as soon as possible. Good luck everyone playing, and most of all have fun playing with/against both new and old members!
Men's singles (16 entrants) Knockout format with a 1st round of 16 players with winners going through to the main draw, matches to be played by 18 July, QF by 8 August & Semis by 30 August and Final on 5th Sept There will be a plate contest for all first round losers (which we think is a FCTC first), this will also have a final on 5th September, with QF by 8 August & Semis by 30 August.
Men's doubles (12 entrants) and Mixed doubles (13 entrants) Knockout format with 3/4 pairs getting byes, first round to be played by 18 July, QF by 8 August & Semis by 30 August and Final on 5th Sept. In order to give pairs the option of more than one match, both the Mixed and Men's doubles there will be an optional plate contest for first round losers who want more games. Do please register an interest at time of reporting the result and Andy will sort a suitable format once he knows numbers.
Ladies Singles and Ladies doubles (both 6 entrants) The First round will be a round robin group stage with 2 groups of 3. These games can be played by 8 August with the top 2 qualifying for the Semis. The positions in the groups will be decided first by match wins, then sets won and then games won if needed. There is no plate in these events due to numbers and the fact that the format already gives everyone at least 2 games.
Club Night Reminder
As there are so many new members, please don't forget we have a number of club sessions that are open to anyone including our older Juniors.
Ladies Club Night is Monday from 6pm - contact Maggie Southerden 07719 677985 Mixed Club Night is Wednesday from 6pm - contact Paul McPhilips 07967 184870 Men's Club Night is Thursday from 6pm - contact Paul McPhilips 07967 184870 Wednesday afternoon social tennis is at 4pm (2pm during the winter) - contact Gill Prout [email protected] Sunday morning social tennis is at 10.30am - contact Gill Prout [email protected] Weekday lunchtime group for arranging informal play - contact Andy Davidson 07809 641880
There are whatsapp groups for each of the sessions so please do contact the names above to get yourself added into the right groups so you won't miss out on what is going on.
Social Tournament
We have decided to move the provisional date of July 11th to later in the summer as there are so many matches underway at the moment, both inter-club as well as club champs.
Stand by for further information in due course, but for now please put Saturday 25th September 2-4pm into your diary.
Ball Machine Reminder
Don't forget we have a ball machine available. See our facebook page for some videos of it in action (flawless volleying Lucinda and Sue!). £10 annual fee for hire and please ensure you've had a briefing on how to use it beforehand. Contact Alan Polding [email protected] if you haven't been briefed. Note - it's a 2 person job to get it out of the cupboard and Pavilion, over 18's only.
Here's Maggie our Ladies Captain setting it up one club night - took her less than 5 mins before the machine was in action - easy peasy.
New member play
As well as the new members we have already welcomed, we have a consistent number of potential new members. We are very welcoming as you know, some prospective members have joined the club evenings which has been great to see. If you do know of anyone interested in joining please remind them they are welcome to join us for a hit with a committee member if they would prefer that to a club evening. Fixtures
Matches have now started again. Looking forward to seeing how we perform in the next few weeks! 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 [email protected] as the Ladies Captain or Paul Morgan as Mens Captain to express your interest.
Coach's Corner
Firstly, Stephen is planning a Parent and Child tournament - currently looking to be Saturday 31st July at Chalfont St Peter Tennis Club. Stand by for more information from him.
Secondly, the juniors have also been busy playing matches. Here are some of the results so far:
On Saturday 19th June our 10/U team beat Richings Park 6-0 to put our 10/U team top of the table. Sisters Astrid and Mylah represent FCTC's 10/U team and are both County players.
On Saturday 19th June FCTC's 14/U boys team played against Penn and Tylers team and were tied at 1-1 after the singles. The match was to be decided by the doubles which we narrowly lost in a tie breaker.
May half term camp was as popular as ever, details below for the summer ones which will keep your kids occupied even if you're not going away anywhere (like most of us!).
Stephen's coaches are DBS checked, first aid trained, and suitably qualified and experienced to run our camps. Children between 5-16 years can attend and will be placed into appropriate groups.