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 23rd 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 16th, 1 pm: Men’s B v Bicester
SUNDAY 17th, 10 am: Ladies B v Witney
SATURDAY 23rd, 12 noon: CLUB FINALS DAY!