Head coach Vinny Duddy said, so far the improvement in some of the players we selected has been outstanding with both Megan Rundle and Harry Burrow showing the right commitment (ably supported by their parents).  Harry Burrow attended the Bath Tournament where 33 players were split according to their Mini Red ratings into groups; Harry won all 3 of his initial group matches and then went onto play against the winners of the other groups were he won all these matches too.  Harry then went onto play Oliver Hutton from Wells who had also won through all his group games and managed to overcome him in an exciting and very tense match winning 13v12.

The next BW Controls Ltd Mini Red Tournament was supposed to be 12^th Dec but this has now been moved to the 19^th Dec to coincide with the Avenue Chairman’s Mince Pies Open door where all are invited to attend the tennis club for a drink and a Xmas Mince Pie with stand in Chairman Poo Jenkins.

Coming up over the Xmas period will be the Junior Xmas Disco and Party (17^th Dec), Chairman’s Mince Pies (19^th Dec), Boxing Day Social Tennis Tournament (26^th Dec) and the New Years Eve Family Disco (31^st Dec) – details can be obtained from the club’s website (www.avenuetennis.com) or ring on 782758.

The club is looking for local businessmen to help support tennis in the community following the decision of the LTA and King Alfred’s (government spending review cuts) to withdraw the financial support that was used to subsidise coaches’ visits to our local junior schools. Head coach Vinny said this is an excellent marketing opportunity for a local business to sponsor either a visit to an individual school or to take control of the whole event; if you think this is of interest to you then please contact Vinny at the tennis club for details (01278 782758).

GREAT NEWS – COACHING IS BACK ON – WE’VE CLEARED ONE ASTRA AND THE THREE HARD COURTS – THURSDAY 14TH JAN.

- THURSDAY MINI RED AND NEW YELLOW BALL SESSION ON

- THURSDAY CARDIO ON ….. DON;T FORGET THOSE NEW YEAR RESOLUTIONS!!!!!!

FRIDAY MINI RED AND ACADEMY ON, ADULT COACHING ON, JUNIOR MATCHPLAY ON BUT MAY HAVE LESS COURTS.

SATURDAY PLAY AND SESSIONS ON FROM 9:00 TILL 2:30.

ANY QUERIES PLEASERING THE CLUB – 01278 782758

The Avenue Junior Tennis Academy players and some other promising junior tennis players at the club competed in the Xmas Academy Tournament 2009 which was held during the evenings of 14^th – 17^th Dec..  The winner of the event was Sam Stead, second was Will Jones with Tom Cashmore coming in third.  The event started with 14 players, all of whom were to play the best of three sets of seven games against each other which would have meant a potential total of  39 sets or 273 games.  Unfortunately a sickness bug and some last minute homework assignments meant 4 players were unable to complete the tournament. 

Head Coach, Vinny Duddy and Trainee Coach, Craig Phillips ran the event and were really pleased with the efforts made but were surprised with some of the results.  Both thought that the event gave the players a good insight into what qualities were needed to compete against other players in a tournament.  Both Duddy and Phillips were particularly grateful to the parents who brought their children to the club and thanked them for their support.

Pictured below are the players who competed in the event (Left to Right – Rob Horler, Will Jones, Tom Holder, Stu Kilmartin, Brad, Craig Phillips, Heather Duddy, Jessica Griffiths, Tom Cashmore, Billy May and Sam Stead in the forefront with his Babolat 12 racket bag that he won for winning the event).

Coaching at the Avenue will recommence in the New Year with Saturday Pay and Play from 9:00 in the morning, through the various ages groups until 2:30 in the afternoon.  Junior Academy and Squad Group Coaching will start on Monday 11^th January.  Adults intermediate and beginner classes will restart on Thursday 14^th Jan and Friday 15^th respectively. New Year is normally a time for sporting resolutions; so why not come the Tennis Club and give tennis a go; for those of you like a good work out but don’t particularly want to play a lot of tennis why not come down on a Thursday evening to the Cardio Sessions which will have you doing lots of hard work intermingled with hitting lots of tennis balls from 6:00 till 7:00pm.

The first social event of the New Year 2010 will be a Rabbie Burns night which will be held at the Tennis Club on Saturday 30^th January.  For those that do not like Haggis there will be a lovely Scottish Stew.  The three course Scottish meal will cost adults £7.50 and children £3.50; bookings can be made on the listing in the clubhouse foyer notice board.

Details of these 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

The Xmas period was finished off at the Avenue Tennis Club on Boxing Day when 16 brave members made it to the courts to run off their Xmas Dinners.  The tournament was run with the lady/junior partners swapping after each player had served once, meaning that each player played 4 games with one partner and then another 4 with another, making it very sociable but also keeping quite a competitive spirit to the event.

The ladies winner was Sue Parson and mens winner was Head Coach Vinny Duddy.  After the tournament the players retired to the bar where Vice President Peter Alexander had volunteered to open up. The tournament and the afternoon was a complete success and Head Coach, Vinny Duddy said that he intended to organise the event next year and hoped to get even more players involved in the tournament as it was obvious that it was something that everyone who played had enjoyed.

Coaching at the Avenue will recommence in the New Year with Saturday Pay and Play from 9:00 in the morning, through the various ages groups until 2:30 in the afternoon.  Junior Academy and Squad Group Coaching will start on Monday 11^th January.  Adults intermediate and beginner classes will restart on Thursday 14^th Jan and Friday 15^th respectively. New Year is normally a time for sporting resolutions; so why not come the Tennis Club and give tennis a go; for those of you like a good work out but don’t particularly want to play a lot of tennis why not come down on a Thursday evening to the Cardio Sessions which will have you doing lots of Cardio training intermingled with hitting lots of tennis balls from 6:00 till 7:00pm.

The first social event of the New Year 2010 will be a Rabbie Burns night which will be held at the Tennis Club on Saturday 30^th January.  For those that do not like Haggis there will be a lovely Scottish Stew.  The three course Scottish meal will cost adults £7.50 and children £3.50; bookings can be made on the listing in the clubhouse foyer notice board.

Details of these 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).

We currently run a Tennis Academy at the club where the expectations of both the players and coaches are set at reaching County level standards.

Coaching takes place on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Friday and is 1.5 hours. Sessions are offered for 1, 2 3 and 4 times a week and with the charges reflecting the amount of sessions done. Costs can be obtained from the office (01278 782758).

Avenue Tennis Club Academy – Red Ball

During the month of September 10 the Avenue started a Red Ball Academy from players invited from the current Red Ball squads who showed an exceptional interest, were keen to learn, were willing to work hard  and who demonstrated a passion to become a great tennis player.

Players train together as a squad on Monday (5:00 – 6:00pm), Friday 5:30 – 6:30pm and have one individual hour per week.  If you think this is for your child please see a member of the coaching team or ring on 01278 782758.

Avenue Tennis Club Academy – NEW Orange Ball Squad

Avenue Orange Ball Academy Squad runs on Mondays (5:00 – 6:00) and Wednesday (5:30 – 6:30) with private individual sessions organised with the players coach  - anyone interested should contact the office on 01278 782758 for details.  If you would like to sponsor the Academy please contact Vinny at the office. 

Nathan Edwards Tennis Academy

The Nathan Edwards Tennis Academy was set up in memory of a talented youngster who was killed in a car accident on his way to tennis training in Bristol and is now run at the King Alfreds Sports Centre (see office for details).

The previous King Alfreds Tennis Academy

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.

The event took the format of a box system, with all seven couples playing against each other.

Hunter and Duddy beat club coach Barry Ramsden and academy junior Jessica Griffiths in the final.

He was crowned champion after winning the most matches against his fellow academy players, Georgina Cameron, Robert Horler, Lucy Kelson, Jessica Griffiths and previous winner Sam Stead.

Head coach Vinny Duddy said: “Josh worked really hard to get every ball back in play, therefore making sure that his opponents had to win the point.”

Daniel Rosser then won the March tournament, battling through the hail, high winds, rain and sunshine.

The event was run in two groups, with Rosser winning the group which also included Cameron and Heather Duddy, before winning the final against Christison, who had overcome Beth Darby and Griffiths in his group.

Head coach Duddy said: “Daniel used his speed around court to cope with the awful weather conditions, making sure that he got every ball back into his opponent’s court.”

The under-10 players were split into three groups, with Colls progressing to the semi-finals, but only after a play-off against the winners of the other groups as all three had won two of their three matches.

In the semi-final, Colls faced number one seed Louis Shaw, from Bristol. Colls eventually lost to Shaw after a hard battle but can be proud of his performance, playing seven short-set matches in one day and dealing with what can be an overwhelming experience.

Colls only turned nine in December, which makes him one of the youngest in his age group. He was offered a place in the Nathan Edwards Tennis Academy last March following the selection process and is one of the strongest players at present.

The young star was already a member of Avenue Tennis Club and had been playing tennis since he was five years old. The commitment of his mum Nikki and dad Dave has also been essential in his development, and they have expressed their appreciation and support of the academy.The event was part of a new grade three tournament at David Lloyd which attracted an entry of 250 players in all age groups, including an open event for over-18s which was won by Dan Sidaway, from Cardiff.

There are a few places available in the academy for under-10s. It requires athleticism, great footwork, excellent hand eye co-ordination, a competitive spirit and strong mental attitude. If that might be you, contact Sally on 01278 784080.

The academy continues to search for financial support and would welcome donations or sponsorship to enable it to support the development of future tennis talent.