Archives: News

VERY BEST WISHES FOR A HAPPY CHRISTMAS AND A GREAT NEW YEAR!
It’s been really good to see so much tennis being played even in some less-than-kind weather, not least at many of our thriving Club Afternoons (Tuesdays and Sundays, both at 1.30), and especially to see people enjoying our new court so much.  Do feel free to bring Christmas guests to play with you at the Club, but please remember that (extremely modest!) guest fees are due: the simple details are in a note on our website’s Membership page:https://wbtc.org.uk/tennis-membership/. 

LIGHTING  If you’re wondering what’s happening with our application for Court Lighting, https://wbtc.org.uk/news/court-lighting/, all is in hand and progressing, but the wheels of bureaucracy turn slowly.  The ecological surveys and reporting have been very time-consuming, but they’ve been entirely positive and have been duly submitted.  We just have to be patient in waiting on the aforementioned wheels.  We’d hoped for a decision in the early autumn.  The New Year would be nice.  We’ll let you know as soon as there’s news.

COACHING  Booking is now open for the new term of group coaching at the Club, for both juniors and adults.  Developing skills is a good resolution for the New Year – and not a bad idea for a Christmas present!  For all the details, just click on https://wbtc.org.uk/junior-coaching/ and/or https://wbtc.org.uk/adult-coaching/

BEING A TIME FOR GIVING, and in a country of increasing poverty and ever-more-needed food banks, the Club is collecting donations to support a charity called The Gatehouse which provides 60 meals a night to homeless people in Oxford.  It doesn’t involve giving money but asks for donations of food and other items.  If you’d like to contribute, the next time you’re playing please bring items on this list – https://wbtc.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Aelfric-Gatehouse-Charity-List.pdf – and leave them in the box you’ll find either in the kitchen or in the main hall.  Very many thanks.

HOME MATCHES THIS MONTH  [each match 2 courts]:

SATURDAY 2^nd, 10 am:  Men’s E v North Oxford
1 pm:  Men’s A v Henley; Ladies D v Blewbury

SUNDAY 3rd, 10 am:  Men’s B v Oxford Sports

SATURDAY 9^th, 1 pm:  Men’s E v Watlington

THURSDAY 14th, 10 am:  Ladies Midweek v Blewbury

The AGM for both Bowls and Tennis is this coming Thursday, 23 November, at 7.30 pm in the clubhouse.  Hope to see you there.

HOME MATCHES COMING UP  [each match 2 courts]:
WEDNESDAY 22^nd, 10 am:  Ladies Midweek v OHRC
SATURDAY 25^th, 1pm:  Ladies A v Banbury; Men’s C v Long Crendon
SUNDAY 26^th, 10 am:  Men’s D v Witney
WEDNESDAY 29^th, 10 am:  Men’s Midweek v Hanney

THIS YEAR’S TENNIS AGM is coming up this Thursday (2^nd November), 7.30 in the clubhouse.  Even if you don’t usually come to meetings, do come and join us this time!  There’s a lot of news and interesting things in the pipeline at the moment, so the more of us that join in, the better it’ll be.  See you there.

NEW COURT
WE’VE BEEN VERY LUCKY with the weather, and work on the building of our new single court has gone well to schedule. THE COURT IS NOW OPEN FOR PLAY.  It’s been a big job!  If you’ve missed the process and are interested in what’s been involved, there are pictures posted in the News Item headed “New Court”.

COURT AVAILABILITY
A REMINDER that if you’re ever in doubt about court availability, our schedule is very simple: check out the details on our website page https://wbtc.org.uk/courts-timetable/.  

UNUSUALLY BUSY THIS WEEKEND (WEATHER PERMITTING!)
BUT PLEASE NOTE that we have an unusually packed weekend of home matches this coming Saturday and Sunday (if the weather allows!), with two matches on Sunday morning as well as Saturday afternoon.  Also, very unusually, we have two Midweek League matches next Wednesday (8^th).  We always schedule matches to keep courts free for general play at the weekends as much as possible, and especially avoid ever having more than one match on a Sunday morning (or more than one on a Wednesday morning).  But the coming couple of weeks are packed with fixtures and it has been unavoidable.  Many apologies for this: it will hopefully never happen again!

HOME MATCHES THIS MONTH  [each match 2 courts]:

WEDNESDAY 1^st, 10 am:  Men’s Midweek v OHRC
SATURDAY 4^th, 10 am:  Men’s E v Watlington
                           1 pm:  Men’s A v Thame; Ladies D v Abingdon
SUNDAY 5^th, 10 am:  Men’s B v Abingdon; Men’s D v Colston
WEDNESDAY 8^th, 10 am: Ladies Midweek v Blewbury;
                                        Men’s Midweek v Hanney
SATURDAY 11^th, 1 pm:  Ladies A v Wantage; Ladies C v Abingdon
SUNDAY 12^th, 10 am:  Ladies D v Brackley
SATURDAY 18^th, 1 pm:  Ladies B v Kings Sutton
WEDNESDAY 22^nd, 10 am:  Ladies Midweek v OHRC
SATURDAY 25^th, 1pm:  Ladies A v Banbury; Men’s C v Long Crendon
SUNDAY 26^th, 10 am:  Men’s D v Witney

NEW COURT
WE’VE BEEN VERY LUCKY with the weather, and work on the building of our new single court has gone well to schedule. THE COURT IS NOW OPEN FOR PLAY.  It’s been a big job!  If you’ve missed the process and are interested in what’s been involved, there are pictures posted in the News Item headed “New Court”.

FOR JUNIORS
Our excellent coaches are running TENNIS CAMPS FOR JUNIORS in the HALF-TERM HOLIDAY, Monday 23^rd to Wednesday 25^th October.  They’ll be teaching both tactical and technical aspects of the game, all in a safe and fun environment.  Places are limited and will be given on a first come, first served basis.
For details of times, prices and to secure your place just click on… https://clubspark.lta.org.uk/Fortyfifteentenniscoaching/Coaching/Camps

*** Members please note that on the mornings of the Tennis Camps, two courts will be free from 9 till 11 and one court will be free from 11.15-1.15.  From 1.15 onwards all courts will be free for play as usual.

DATE FOR THE DIARY:
THIS YEAR’S TENNIS AGM is coming up on Thursday 2^nd November, 7.30 in the clubhouse.  Even if you don’t usually come to meetings and the letters “AGM” fall on your ear with a thud, do come and join us this time!  There’s a lot of news and interesting things in the pipeline at the moment, so the more members that join in, the better it’ll be.  See you there.

HOME MATCHES THIS MONTH  [each match 2 courts]:
SATURDAY 14^th, 1 pm: Ladies A v Oxford Sports; Ladies D v Abingdon
SUNDAY 15^th 10 am:  Ladies C v Hanney
SATURDAY 21^st, 1 pm:  Ladies B v OHRC; Men’s C v Chinnor
WEDNESDAY 25^th, 1.30 pm:  Ladies Midweek v Oxford Sports
SATURDAY 28^th, 1 pm:  Men’s C v Deddington; Men’s D v Goring

****** IMPORTANT NOTE: CARE OF NETS ******
When we first came out of the Covid lockdowns we deliberately avoided contact with net handles, etc., and got out of the habit of winding nets down after play.  We really do need to get back into the habit.  Leaving nets permanently up and under tension does serious damage, and is starting to do so.  AFTER PLAY, PLEASE ALWAYS WIND THE NETS DOWN.  BUT PLEASE do so by JUST 2 OR 3 TURNS OF THE HANDLE, simply to release the tension – if you wind down a lot and leave the net sagging and slumped on the ground it will get soaking wet and mildewed.  (As a guide, wind down just enough to leave the centre strap still hooked to the ground.) And PLEASE SPREAD THE WORD ABOUT THIS!  Thanks!

Our new single court is now finished and open for play.  Come and enjoy!  If you’ve missed the process and are interested in what’s been involved, here are some pictures:

Stage 1: Cut up and remove the old astroturf:

Stage 2: Dig out the old base and replace with a deep granite foundation, raising the court to the same level as our other three:

Stage 3:  Build a new, raised court surround:

Stage 4: Lay and roll the new tarmac base:

Stage 5: Lay and cut the new astroturf, and apply the sand infill:

Stage 6:  Complete!

FINALS DAY
Amazing weather (at last) and some excellent, close matches made for a great Finals Day last weekend.  CONGRATULATIONS TO THE WINNERS of this year’s Club Championships: Mixed Doubles: Alison Courtney & Neil Lovett (bt Tory Houghton & Mike Allen 7-6, 6-4); Men’s Singles: Josh Ponting (bt James Stoddart 6-4, 6-4); Senior Men’s Singles: James Stoddart (bt Neil Lovett 6-4, 6-2); Ladies Doubles: Alison Courtney & Sarah Stoddart (bt Georgie Ponting & Jenny Collins 7-5, 6-2); Men’s Doubles: Josh & Phil Ponting (bt Simon Cottingham & Rhys Lewis 6-3, 4-6, 6-3). 

And THANKS TO EVERYONE WHO’S TAKEN PART in the Championships this summer and made them such enjoyable competitions, played in a great and friendly spirit in matches from May right through to September.                                           

NEW COURT / CLUB SESSIONS
Work is moving on fast with the BUILDING OF OUR NEW SINGLE COURT.  The final stage, laying the new surface, will start later this week, and if the weather’s kind the court should be open and ready for play in the first part of next, hopefully about Tuesday 10^th.  Talking of Tuesdays, our TUESDAY CLUB SESSIONS have now moved to the afternoon, starting every week at 1.30.  So if you’re free and haven’t got a game arranged, come and join in.  So our CLUB SESSIONS are now on TUESDAY AFTERNOONS, 1.30 TILL 3.30, and SUNDAY AFTERNOONS, 1.30 TILL 3.30.  Everyone is very welcome.

HOME MATCHES
The Winter League season starts this coming weekend.
GOOD LUCK to all our teams!

OPENING HOME MATCHES  [each match 2 courts]:
SATURDAY 7^th, 1 pm:  Men’s A v David Lloyd
SUNDAY 8^th, 10 am:  Men’s E v Hanney
WEDNESDAY 11^th, 10 am:  Ladies Midweek v Kingston Bagpuize
SATURDAY 14^th, 1 pm: Ladies A v Oxford Sports; Ladies D v Abingdon
SUNDAY 15^th 10 am:  Ladies C v Hanney

TOURNAMENTS AND FINALS DAY
Thanks to everyone who’s taken part in this summer’s CLUB CHAMPIONSHIP and made it such an enjoyable event.  The FINALS will take place on SATURDAY 23 SEPTEMBER.

PLEASE COME ALONG AND SUPPORT the finalists and watch some great tennis. The bar will be open and there’ll be hot drinks and ‘nibbles’ available.  The order of play is:

SATURDAY 23^rd SEPTEMBER, 12 NOON:
Men’s singles (Josh Ponting vs James Stoddart)
Mixed doubles (Neil Lovett/Alison Courtney vs Mike Allen/Tory Houghton)
Followed (after a short break) by:
Ladies doubles (Alison Courtney/Sarah Stoddart vs Jenny Collins/Georgie Ponting)
Senior Men’s singles (James Stoddart vs Neil Lovett)
*** If anyone would be willing to umpire one of the matches please let Freddie Page know on 07388 080 377. ***

AND THANKS LIKEWISE TO ALL who made last month’s TIE-BREAK TOURNAMENT such a fun afternoon, and congrats to winners Jackie Orton and Nick Hawker (above) and runners-up Barry Orton and Helen Belmont.
WE’LL RUN ANOTHER SUNDAY TOURNAMENT SOON TO WELCOME IN OUR NEW COURT!

Talking of which…

CLUB DEVELOPMENT
Work has begun on schedule for the REBUILDING OF OUR SINGLE COURT.  The first step was cutting up and removing the old carpet (pictured).  Next will be the laying of a much-needed protective membrane over the old (and subsiding) base, followed by the installation of a complete, proper foundation of granite, raising it to the same level as the other three courts (next picture). This will then be resurfaced with tarmac and finally the new astroturf carpet will be laid.  It’s a big and urgently needed job, so thanks for your patience while it’s being done.

On the COURT LIGHTING front, there’s a slight delay before a decision can be made on our application, owing to extra surveying being required following our PEA (Preliminary Ecological Appraisal).  We’ve booked these surveys to be carried out this month, the first has already happened, and we hope to have definite news to bring you very soon.

TEAM TENNIS
The Summer League season is almost complete.  Many thanks and well done to everyone who’s played for our Club.  It’s been a strong season for Woodstock’s teams (you can always follow the club’s League fortunes on https://wbtc.org.uk/fixtures/).  A couple of our teams have gone very close, just missing out on promotion, but at the time of writing, with just a match or two left to play, our Men’s A have a great chance of winning their division and certainly of winning promotion; likewise our Mixed B.  Our Ladies D have won promotion for sure – many congrats! – and our Men’s Midweek team have again won the Midweek League.

With a lot of members wanting to play team tennis we’ve entered an extra Men’s team in the Winter League.  Do join our team squads.  It’s FUN!  And it will IMPROVE YOUR PLAY!  We’ve teams across a wide ability range and are always delighted to add new players to the squads.  Your commitment can be as regular (preferably!) or irregular as you want or are able to make it.  If you’re not yet involved and would like to be, just let us know by emailing woodstocktennisclub@gmail.com.

And talking of improving your play…

AUTUMN COACHING CLINICS
Our excellent coaching programme starts this week! For all the details click on https://wbtc.org.uk/junior-coaching/ (for juniors) and https://wbtc.org.uk/adult-coaching/ (for adults).

In addition, our Head Coach Tom Francis is delivering coaching clinics in the next few weeks, on Tuesday lunchtimes between 12:30-1:30pm, starting from Tuesday 19th September and then on the following dates: 19/09, 26/09, 03/10, 10/10, 17/10.
Each session will concentrate on a particular shot / game situation:
Week 1: Consistency when both back (keeping your opponent back with height and depth)
Week 2: Cover territory (know when to volley and hit through the middle)
Week 3: Technical work around the serve and server’s partner
Week 4: Smashing / Overhead
Week 5: Returning Cross Court / Line (decision-making and playing high-percentage shots)

All sessions have a capacity of 8 places and are given on a first come, first served basis

There are two options for this course (Booking Links are beside the courses)
1) You can book ad hoc / individual sessions (Pay As You Go): Woodstock Coaching Clinics – Ad Hoc Sessions – Tuesdays 12:30 – 1:30pm – Book Here
2) You can sign up to the course of 5 weeks (saving of £15.00): Woodstock Coaching Clinics – Course of 5 Lessons (All Sessions) – Book Here

SOCIAL and PRACTICE TENNIS
As always, whenever you’re wanting a friendly, social game, our welcoming and inclusive Club Sessions run all the year round.  They’re currently on TUESDAYS FROM 5.30 ONWARDS and SUNDAYS 1.30 – 3.30.  And on THURSDAYS FROM 5.30 ONWARDS there are Team Practice Nights for all members keen to play team tennis.

HOME FIXTURES COMING UP
[each match 2 courts]:
SATURDAY 16^th, 1 pm: Men’s B v Bicester
SUNDAY 17^th, 10 am:  Ladies B v Witney
SATURDAY 23^rd, 12 noon: CLUB FINALS DAY!

CLUB DEVELOPMENT
In the next “What’s On” we hope to have the outcome of our planning application for the installation of court lighting: we’re in the final stages, with an ecological appraisal before WODC gives a decision.  Meanwhile…

The refurbishment of Court 4 (our single court) will be starting in the week beginning 4 September.  It’ll take the whole month and possibly longer (it’s a big job, essentially building a brand new court:  to address the multiple problems with the court we’re constructing a complete new base to raise it to the same level as our other courts, as well as laying a new surface).  But the other three courts will be unaffected throughout, and available for play as usual.  Please expect car park space to be reduced.  And please take care at all times when entering and leaving, and be understanding if there is noise or any obstruction at any point.  It’s in a very good cause!  SUNDAY TOURNAMENT, 20 AUGUST
To cheer us up after the dreary weather we’re holding a special, sociable Sunday Tournament, with the added attraction of post-match strawberries and Pimms!  It’s on the afternoon of SUNDAY 20 AUGUST.  It’ll be a doubles tournament with partners changing every game, so you don’t need a partner to enter.   To enter, simply email woodstocktennisclub@gmail.com saying “Yes!  I/we want to play in the tournament on Sunday 20^th!”

SUMMER HOLIDAY TENNIS CAMPS
The second of our popular Tennis Camps for Juniors will be running on
Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday 21st, 22nd and 23rd August
9.00 am – 11.00 am:  5-9 years
11.15 am – 1.15 pm:  10-16 years
To secure your child’s booking, please click on
Woodstock Tennis Club, Junior Tennis Camps Summer 2023 – Book Here
*** Members please note that on these mornings of the Junior Camps a couple of courts will be free from 9 till 11 and the single court will be available from 11 till 1.15.  After that all four courts will be free as usual.

SOCIAL and PRACTICE TENNIS
Our friendly and inclusive Club Sessions are thriving.  Everyone is welcome.  They’re on TUESDAYS FROM 5.30 ONWARDS and SUNDAYS 1.30 – 3.30.  And on THURSDAYS FROM 5.30 ONWARDS there are Team Practice Nights for all members keen to play team tennis.

COACHING
Wanting to improve your game?  Booking is now open for the Autumn Term of our excellent coaching programme for juniors and adults.  All the details of dates, times, prices and how to book are on our website pages https://wbtc.org.uk/junior-coaching/ (for juniors) and https://wbtc.org.uk/adult-coaching/ (for adults).

HOME MATCHES THIS MONTH  [each match 2 courts]:
WEDNESDAY 9^th, 10 am:  Ladies Midweek v Bampton
SATURDAY 12^th, 10 am:  Ladies C v Kingston Bagpuize;
                                           Men’s C v Wychwoods
***[N.B. Very unusually, we have two matches this Saturday morning]***
                              1 pm: Men’s A v Norham Gardens
SUNDAY 13^th, 10 am:  Ladies A v Faringdon
SATURDAY 19^th, 1 pm: Mixed B v North Oxford; Mixed C v Benson
SUNDAY 20^th 10 am:  Men’s D v Oxford City
SATURDAY 26^th, 1 pm: Men’s B v Bicester; Men’s D v North Oxford
SUNDAY 27^th 10 am:  Ladies D v Abingdon
WEDNESDAY 30^th, 10 am:  Ladies Midweek v Portcullis
SATURDAY 2^nd September, 1 pm:  Ladies B v Wantage

We’ll be bringing news shortly of the progress of our planning application for the installation of court lighting.  News, too, of the refurbishment of Court 4 (our single court), which will be happening in September.  Also news of Finals Day of the Club Tournament.  Meanwhile…  ADULT COACHING: SPECIAL NEW SESSIONS
There are just a few places remaining on our special new Adult Coaching Camp.  The 3-day course is on 24th, 26th & 28th July, in 2-hour sessions across 3 evenings, Monday, Wednesday and Friday.  On the Friday we’ll have the bar open and some food on offer: please do stay on for a drink and pizza! All members are welcome to join the participants for a drink at the bar from 8 pm at the end of the Camp on Friday 28th.
All the details are here:  Woodstock Tennis Club – Adult intensive Camp – Book Here

AND FOR JUNIORS… SUMMER HOLIDAY TENNIS CAMPS
We’re delighted to say that our popular Tennis Camps for Juniors will be running in two weeks of the Summer Holidays:
Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday 31st July, 1st and 2nd August
9.00 am – 11.00 am:  5-9 years
11.15 am – 1.15 pm:  10-16 years
Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday 21st, 22nd and 23rd August
9.00 am – 11.00 am:  5-9 years
11.15 am – 1.15 pm:  10-16 years
Places are offered on a first come, first served basis so please book early to avoid disappointment.  To secure your child’s booking, please click on the link below and scroll down to book the camp you wish your child to attend:
Woodstock Tennis Club, Junior Tennis Camps Summer 2023 – Book Here

SOCIAL and PRACTICE TENNIS
Our friendly and inclusive Club Sessions are thriving.  Everyone is welcome.  They’re on TUESDAYS FROM 5.30 ONWARDS and SUNDAYS 1.30 – 3.30.  And on THURSDAYS FROM 5.30 ONWARDS there are Team Practice Nights for all members keen to play team tennis.

COURTS TIMETABLE / DATES TO NOTE
Please note that on the mornings of the Junior Tennis Camps on Mon, Tues and Weds, 31 July and 1 and 2 August, a couple of courts will be free from 9 till 11 and the single court will be available from 11 till 1.15.  After that all four courts will be free as usual.
If ever in doubt about court availability, please check our very simple Courts Timetable on https://wbtc.org.uk/courts-timetable/.  And at weekends, note the days that have matches, which are usually finished by about 4.30 (morning matches by about 1 pm).

HOME MATCHES COMING UP  [each match 2 courts]:

JULY
SATURDAY 15^th, 1 pm:  Men’s B v Bicester; Men’s D v Oxford City
WEDNESDAY 19^th, 10 am: Men’s Midweek v N. Oxford     

SATURDAY 22^nd, 1 pm: Ladies B v Witney;
Ladies D v Benson
THURSDAY 27^th, 10 am: Ladies Midweek v Wantage
SATURDAY 29^th, 1 pm:  Mixed A v Abingdon

AUGUST
WEDNESDAY 9^th, 10 am:  Ladies Midweek v Bampton
SATURDAY 12^th, 10 am:  Ladies C v Kingston Bagpuize
    1 pm: Men’s A v Norham Gardens; Men’s C v Wychwoods
SUNDAY 13^th, 10 am:  Ladies A v Faringdon