Introduction of tennis levy - Date 29 March 2009 12.00pm to 1.30pm enrolment day - please attend.....................

You will have seen the report from the club executive that went out with AGM notices outlining the clubs financial position. You may or may not be aware that the club is looking at a number of different ways to generate income and reduce costs. These include looking to make greater use of the bar by holding more members activities such as quiz nights and jazz evenings. Additionally John Adams has been engaged to look at ways to generate additional funding for the club overall through sponsorship, advertising etc. This is all to help the club get a more stable financial footing.

Additionally the tennis section has also been asked to consider making provision for a contribution to the replacement costs of the tennis court surface which is likely to be in 5-7 years time and from a recent quote we had, the likely cost is in the region of £60,000 & vat, not an insignificant amount.

The committee therefore has decided to introduce a levy for all tennis section members of £15 for adults and £10 for juniors for the 2009/10 season which will be put into a sinking fund and ringfenced towards the cost of surface replacement. This will be a one off cost for each member this year and will be reviewed annually. This is in addition to the club subscriptions.

This is the first time we have introduced such a levy and it’s a decision not taken lightly, we do appreciate it’s an additional cost however we feel its a necessary one and one that will help safeguard the future of tennis at the club. As a section we are additionally looking at available funding via grants etc, however these tend to be for a specific and more immediate projects but which can assist with other tennis activity.

In order to prepare for the season ahead, we will be holding an enrolment session at the club between 12.00pm and 1.30pm on Sunday 29 March for adults and juniors where we will be doing the following:

• Collecting levies
• Issuing Shoe Tags for 2009
• Collecting Members subscriptions for 2009/10 season if paid annually (cheques can be postdated)
• Collecting tennis levies from juniors (£10) who are already members of the club (cricket, lacrosse, rugby), but who wish to play tennis as well
• Providing revised standing order forms (for club subscriptions) for those members paying by that method
• Ensuring we have accurate and up to date contact details for you all

Please feel free to bring your racquets down, and subject to the weather, we are hoping to get some social tennis in.

We look forward to seeing you then, the section this year will abide by the club policy being adopted by all sections that if club subscriptions are not paid then members will be unable to play so we will use shoe tags as confirmation of this.

If you have any questions please come back to us by e mail or ask us on the 29th.

The committee have pencilled in several social events for the forthcoming season which we will let you know about in a separate mail.

And finally, just in case you haven’t already received details of the forthcoming quiz night, Nicola Bennett writes:-

“After the success of the first club quiz night the next quiz will be held on Friday 3rd April starting at 8.30pm . PLEASE PUT THE DATE IN YOUR DIARY Everyone is very welcome and hopefully we will get as good a turn out as last time.
The bar will be open from 7.00 pm, and food will be available from 7.30 pm. The Quiz will start at 8.30 pm.
The max number in a team 6,with an entry fee of £1 per team member.
In order to help with planning, if you are able to let us know your team name in advance please email This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it   - but everyone will be welcome on the evening. “

 Regards

Tennis Committee