On Saturday 26^th September the Avenue Tennis Club celebrated its hundredth year with a special Centenary Ball held on No 2 tennis court under a large marquee.  The ball was attended by around 205 members, ex members, old and new friends of the club and was a huge success. 

Special guest speaker John Feaver (ex British Davis Cup player and great nephew of one of the founder members) reminded the attendees of the club’s origins and congratulated the current committee on its current stewardship and strategy to involve more families and encourage tennis throughout the local community.  Ex Davis Cup Squad  and Wimbledon player Lee Childs, a former Somerset and Avenue Tournament player, was also in attendance with, to name but a few, Somerset LTA President, Basil Mann and Somerset LTA Chairman Ken Johnson, together with a number of past presidents, chairmen and captains of the club.

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Avenue Tennis Club Coach, Barry Ramsden successfully ran another Save the Children’s Fund Tennis Competition at the Avenue Tennis Club on Sunday 19^th July.

The competition was for Womens doubles, Mixed doubles and a Junior Boys doubles.  Although the entries were low the participants all worked hard to produce some good tennis in difficult conditions with the wind and rain causing some delays.

Boy’s winners were Callum Haines and Simon Peto who will go through to the Regional Finals in Exmouth later this year with a visit to LTA Headquarters Roehampton should they win through at Exmouth.  The Ladies doubles winner were club coach, Emily Rossiter and Rhiannon Parsons with the mixed double winners being Sally Clarke and Head Coach Vinny Duddy.  Pictured above are some of the competitors who braved the elements for the competition and raised money for this worthwhile charity event.

The next event at the tennis club is the School Summer Holiday Junior Tennis Camp which will run from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm during weekdays 23^rd July – 7^th Aug.  If you would like any further information please contact Vinny on 01278 782758 or visit the website www.avenuetennis.com.

The tennis club is celebrating its Centenary Year and will be organizing a Centenary Open Day on Saturday 19^th Sep and an Open Tournament on Sunday 20^th Sep.  The following weekend, 26^th September, is the Centenary Ball; the black tie event will have dancing to a DJ and local band Riverbrew in a Marquee set up at the tennis club.  Tickets can be obtained at the club and are priced at £40 and will include a meal and a complimentary drink.

18 Avenue Tennis Club junior and senior members got up early on Saturday morning 25th April to visit the newly opened British Lawn Tennis Association Headquarters in Roehampton. The visit was arranged as part of the Avenue’s Centenary Year celebrations and included lunch, a presentation from the LTA president, guided tour of probably the best overall tennis facilities in the country, a chance to play on the Roehampton courts and a possibility to seeing someone famous.

The visitors achieved all their expectations when Pat Hunter introduced herself and other Avenue members to Jamie Murray (brother of World No 3 Andrew Murray) who was at Roehampton for some last minute training before jetting off to Tunisia to compete in a doubles competition.

Pat said Jamie was very polite and took the time to talk to us despite being a little late for his practice session on the outside clay courts. After a few snaps of his training session the group went off to play on the Roehampton indoor courts which were very good but very hot.

The next Junior Tennis Camp at the Avenue Tennis Club will be run during the May school holidays (25th – 29th May), bookings for 1 week or on a daily basis can be done through the office on 01278 782758 but please book early to avoid disappointment.

The next Centenary Event will be run on 30th May, which is FA Cup Final Day, when an Adult and Junior Tennis Tournament will be run prior to watching the big match at the Tennis Club.

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

More than 80 people attended the Avenue Tennis Club’s St Patrick’s party last week and helped to raise £200 for future celebrations.

Youngsters and adults enjoyed a lively Irish jig hosted by salsa dancer Theresa Plant. There was a traditional Irish stew, prepared by Julie Cameron, Poo Jenkins, Jane Sanders and Lynn O’Dell.

Dave Vennall was kept busy serving pint after pint of Guinness.

Meanwhile, Sally Christison decked the club out in elaborate Emerald Isle decorations.

Head coach Vinny Duddy said: “The evening was absolutely fantastic. It was particularly entertaining as some children did nothing but dance all night.

“The event was fitting for our centenary, and the money raised is great. It will go towards our main centenary ball on September 19. A massive thanks goes to everyone who helped to organise the night.”

The next centenary event will be a trip to the Lawn Tennis Association’s new Roehampton headquarters for a guided tour, a presentation and a chance to play on the courts, on Saturday, April 25.

The day is expected to cost £10 and those wishing to go should meet at the club for the coach at 8am.

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.

A big thank you and congratulations to all of the Committee and the Centenary Sub Committee that worked hard to ensure all the events took place – led by Poo Jenkins, Jane Sanders, Lyn O’Dell, Julie Cameron, Carol Davies, Sally Christison, Maz Hadley and Head Coach Vinny Duddy.

ALL THESE EVENTS TOOK PLACE THROUGHOUT THE YEAR.

Several events will be held throughout the Centenary Year culminating in a Centenary Ball on the evening of the 26th September 2009.

February 14th       – The first centenary event held will be a buffet and drinks event for both members and non members, the cost of which will be £7.50 per head and start at around 7:30pm.

February 16th       – A free days coaching to all juniors attending the Avenue’s Tennis Camp during the school holidays (16th Feb – 20th Feb – see sheet below)

March 15th            – Sunday Social Tennis Tournament from 12:00 till the England – France Six Nations Match starts at 15:00 hrs.

March 21st            – A St Patrick’s Night Party Celebration will be the second event of year take place.  A disco and a hot Guinness Stew will be offered at a price of £10 per head, again starting at around 7:30pm.

April 25th               – Club visit to the new LTA Headquarters in Roahampton.   Coach trip to Roehampton with presentation, guided tour, lunch and play on their courts.  List in foyer of club house. Read more >

May 30th                – Large Screen hosting of FA Cup Final in afternoon with Junior and Senior Tennis Competition to be held in morning

July 5th                  – Large Screen hosting of Men’s final from Wimbledon, preceded by Tennis Open Day with free coaching and games for all.  Racket demonstrators will be on site.

September 19th   - Centenary Tennis Open Day – details to be advised

September 20th   - Junior and Adult Social Tournament

September 26th   - Centenary Ball – Black Tie event with live music, DJ and food held in marquee on site.

If you have any photographs new or old of the Tennis Club or events held at the club the please let us have them so that we can show them during the Centenary year.

If you have any other suggestions or comments to make about the plans and Centenary events then please see a member of the committee or see Vinny/Craig in the office.

JUNIOR TENNIS CAMP DURING THE SCHOOL HOLIDAY

16TH FEB TO 20TH FEB

As part of our Centenary Year Monday will be free

£60 for all 5 days (Mon – Fri)

Or £20 on a “Pay-per-day” basis (Tue – Fri)

09:00 am – 03:00 pm

Please ring the club early to book your place and avoid disappointment – 01278 782758

Minimum age of 6 +

Special Offer for those who take up 5 days
2 in the family, youngest pays HALF FEES.
3 in the family youngest goes FREE**