April – New Season

*** MEMBERSHIP RENEWAL: EARLY SAVINGS

***RENEWAL IS NOW DUE for 2024/25.  Many thanks to everyone who’s already rejoined. Be sure to renew now!  There are *** BIG SAVINGS FOR RENEWAL BY THIS FRIDAY (MARCH 31st)!!! ***   The prices are unchanged from last year, and all the details of prices and the simple payment process are on https://wbtc.org.uk/tennis-membership/. 

THE LIZ SNELSON COURT
Many members will fondly remember Liz Snelson, who loved theTennis Club and, well into her later years, was still keenly involved in group and individual coaching and social games and tournaments.  Liz left the Tennis Club a generous bequest in her will.  It has been crucial in enabling us to rebuild our fine new single court at the same time as imminently installing court lighting.  We couldn’t have done all of this without Liz.  We have decided therefore to name the new court after her, and a name-plate will soon appear on the gate.  We hope her many friends will agree that it’s a fitting way to remember such a long-standing and committed club member.

AND TALKING OF THE LIGHTING … POWER TO THE COURTS
This week and next, contractors will be on site connecting power supply from the mains to courtside, ready for the installation of our court lighting in a few weeks’ time.  They are also installing CCTV.  All their work will be away from the courts and WILL NOT INTERFERE AT ALL WITH PLAY, but at some point there may be slight obstructions on the path and minor trenchwork across the lawns, so please be understanding, and of course take care when entering and leaving.

TEAM TENNIS: CONGRATULATIONS!
The Winter League season finished this weekend.  Well done and thanks to everyone who’s played for the Club in matches this season, and SPECIAL CONGRATULATIONS to our Ladies A (pictured) who’ve finished top of Division 1 and won promotion to the Premier Division, to our Ladies C who’ve won promotion from a tight Division 5, and to our Men’s Midweek team who’ve won the Midweek League. 

We’re always delighted to welcome new players to our League squads, and we run teams across a wide ability range.  If you’d like to play team tennis and are not yet involved, be sure to let us know – just reply with a quick note to woodstocktennisclub@gmail.com.

CLOCKS GO FORWARD – RETURN OF CLUB NIGHTS!
With the clocks going forward this coming Sunday (31st), our Club Nights return after the Easter weekend, starting TUESDAY 2nd and THURSDAY 4th April.  Come and join in: TUESDAYS FROM 5.30 ONWARDS are Social Sessions for everyone, and THURSDAYS FROM 5.30 ONWARDS are Team Practice Nights for all members keen to play team tennis.  Our thriving SUNDAY AFTERNOON Social Sessions will of course continue, every Sunday, 1.30 – 3.30.

… AND COMPLETELY NON-COMPETITIVE TENNIS!
Tuesday and Sunday Club Sessions focus more on fun than on competition, but if you’re daunted at all by these and would like to play even less competitively, a message…  “A group of ladies who are non-competitive play on Wednesdays at 12 p.m.  If anybody else (male or female) would like to join us, they are most welcome. We would like players to be above beginner standard but not too good and have a sense of fun: we are definitely not serious about winning!  Contact: Tishy Bruce on 07929 748757.”

EASTER JUNIOR TENNIS CAMP
Our excellent coaches are running a three-day Tennis Camp for Juniors in the Easter Holidays, on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday 8–10 April.  For all the details of times, age-groups, prices and to book your place, just click on https://wbtc.org.uk/holiday-tennis-courses/   

***  MEMBERS PLEASE NOTE that on the three mornings of the Tennis Camps, only one court will be free.  After 1.15 each day, all four courts will be available as usual. ***

NEW SEASON’S COACHING
Booking is now open for the new term of group coaching for both Adults and Juniors.  Some slots are bound to be in demand, so please book early to avoid disappointment.
For all the details and to reserve your place, click on https://wbtc.org.uk/junior-coaching/ (for Juniors) and/or https://wbtc.org.uk/adult-coaching/ (for Adults).

FAMILY FRIDAYS
We’re excited to announce the return of the very popular Family Friday tennis, each Friday from 4.15 to 5.15, starting on Friday 19th April.  These coach-led sessions are free to members and involve drills and games to get families playing tennis together.  The sessions are aimed towards primary school-aged children and their parents/carers.  For more information or to sign up, please contact Jenny Collins: email plunkett007@hotmail.com.

CLUB TOURNAMENT
Don’t forget to send in your entries for this summer’s Club Championships – closing date is this coming Friday, 31 March.  All the details of the events and how to enter are on https://wbtc.org.uk/news/club-championship-2024/

WHEN ARE COURTS FREE?
If you’re ever in doubt about court availability, just click on https://wbtc.org.uk/courts-timetable/ where you’ll find our very simple Courts Timetable.  You’ll see that all four courts are free almost all week, except for a handful of regular times (and even then you’ll see they’re not all in use) – so please keep the shape of the week in mind and come and enjoy the courts!

HOME MATCHES COMING UP [each match 2 courts]:
APRIL
SATURDAY 13th, 10 am:  Ladies C v Cholsey
                 1 pm:  Men’s A v Abingdon; Men’s D v Watlington
SUNDAY 14th, 10 am:  Ladies A v Mapledurham
SATURDAY 20th, 1 pm:  Ladies B v Witney
SATURDAY 27th, 1 pm:  Mixed C v David Lloyd; Men’s D v Oxford City
SUNDAY 28th, 4 pm:  Men’s National League v Bicester [4 courts needed till approx 5.30, then 2 courts]