Vinny’s Minis is a fun tennis session on Friday nights from 6:30 till 7:30 for those children up to year group 3 and for those from year group 4 till 6 from 7:30 till 8:30.  The session is run by Vinny Duddy and Nick Arnold although in Aug 2004 (at the first anniversary) pictured above were trainee coaches Mark Flash Gordon, Emily Rossitter and club coach Barry Ramsden.  Duddy said I can’t believe it’s nearly 10 years since we started up the sessions which was aimed at giving the kids something to do whilst their parents were doing the adult coaching session at 6:30 till 8:00.  The adult coaching is still available but we have lots of parents who come along and leave the kids with us whilst they go off and have a set or two before retiring to the bar for a chat and a drink.  We also have the three hard courts allocated to juniors from year group 7+ and they play, singles or doubles, dependant upon numbers.  Duddy said it’s really great down the club on Friday evenings when all eight courts are being used and the place is buzzing, the bar is open and there’s a good crowd of families and friends enjoying the fantastic facilities at the Tennis Club.

The next monthly social tennis tournament is on Saturday 5^th May to coincide with the FA Cup Final with the tennis taking from 12:00 till 3:00; all are welcome to attend and play and to watch the football on the club’s large screen; some hot food will be available during half time along with other refreshments.

The club run a variety of Adult social play sessions during the week on Wed and Fri evenings or Tue, Thur and Sund Morning.  Coaching is available for juniors every night of the week and for adults on Thu,Fri and Saturday afternoons.  If you would like to private 1 to 1 coaching this can be organised throught the clubs coaches.  Details of the events and tennis coaching courses held at the Avenue Tennis Club can be obtained from the office (01278 782758) or from the club website (www.avenuetennis.com).