Pat Hunter, wife of Chairman Gordon Hunter, and Head Coach Vinny Duddy won the Avenue Tennis Club’s Centenary Tournament on Sunday 15^th March. 

The event was played on a wonderful spring day with no wind, hail, rain or the normal adverse conditions experienced at the Avenue during the last few junior tournaments.  Due to the low turnout for the junior competition it was decided to include the juniors who did turn up, in the main adult tournament.  Head coach, Vinny was really pleased with the juniors playing.  All of them were from the Avenue’s Junior Academy and played well, easily managing to hold their own during the event.   In fact, although pleased with their participation Vinny was well and truly beaten by a magnificent backhand cross court passing shot from March Academy tournament winner Daniel Rosser, a huge forehand down the middle from Jessica Griffiths and a cheeky lob over his head from Robert Horler.

The event took the format of a box system with all 7 couples playing against each other and then with their scores added up, the top of the ladder played 2^nd, 3^rd against 4^th and so forth.  Pat and Vinny played the final against Club Coach Barry Ramsden and Academy Junior Jessica Griffiths who although having the same points score a Club Chairman Gordon and his partner, Kelly Anne Vennal, went through to the final as they had actually beaten Gordon and Kelly Anne during their individual match earlier on in the day.

The day was finished well in the club house watching England thoroughly beat the French at Twickenham.  Vinny wished to thank Kevin Lees who took the time to set up and take down the large screen in the club house.  We regularly host events ranging from birthday parties to wedding receptions at The Avenue. Our spacious modern function hall, bar and kitchen are available for hire to parties of up to 100 guests.  We are also able to help put you in contact with local caterers and disco firms if needed and we can supply bar staff for your event.  Please contact Caroline Heyes 01278 780035 to discuss your requirements.

The next Centenary event at the club is the St Patrick’s Night event on Saturday 21^st March starting at 7:30pm (cost £10 per adult – children welcome at no cost).

The Avenue Tennis Club will be running another Junior Tennis Camp during the Easter school holidays following the success of the last one held in February.  The camp will run on both weeks of the holiday (Mon – Thur & Tue – Fri).  Bookings for both weeks, 1 week or on a daily basis can be done through the office on 01278 782758.

The Avenue Tennis Club is a friendly, family oriented organisation whose members enjoy excellent facilities with 8 floodlit courts and a large clubhouse including bar facilities.  Friday nights is family night where members and non members are encouraged to come down to either the adult coaching or club doubles match play.  Junior members enjoy free organised fun tennis sessions for up to school year 3 from 6:30pm till 7:30pm, school year 4 and upwards from 7:30pm to 8:30pm.  School year 7+ members have organised match-play from 8:00pm.  If you want any details about membership or other coaching courses which run throughout the week then please contact Head Coach, Vinny Duddy on 01278 782758 – www.avenuetennis.co.uk.