LITTLE ACES UPDATE

Little Aces Outdoor Playgroup held their final session of the year on Thursday 19th September.  It was another beautiful sunny morning (as most of the sessions were this summer), with many young families very sad that this was the final session but understanding of the changing weather forecasted for the following week ahead.  

Over 220 local children attended Little Aces this summer, plus approximately 20 children aged 5-10 attended Phil's Little Aces Junior Coaching sessions.  That's a LOT of famiies who have discovered our beautiful club.  Some even joined as Family Members! 

A very special, heart-warming community was created this summer at our club for many parents, grandparents and caregivers.  As a not-for-profit community amateur sports club, it is great that we can extend the community aspect to a younger demographic and introduce them to the wonderful world of tennis.  Many of the activities at Little Aces incorporated some of the key skills needed for tennis - motor, physical and social.     

A BIG thank you to Lorraine, the supporting committee members and club members who also helped spread the word, invited friends, neighbours, etc. along, helped maintain the club grounds and helping with set-up after the Wednesday club play session.  It has been hugely appreciated.

The incremental revenue Little Aces has contributed to the club will be shared in the AGM in April 2025, along with Messy Club.

Club Captain Update

Due to personal circumstances, Matthew Kenny will be leaving the area and sadly will no longer be able to take up his duties with Kay as joint club captain.  Matthew is still a member of the club and we hope he will come to play tennis when he is visiting the area.  Kay will continue to fly solo as our competent and fantastic Club Captain. 

Little Aces Summer Holiday Junior Tennis Coaching (Ages 5-10)

Following the success and great feedback from the parents and children who attended the first of the Summer Holiday Junior Tennis Coaching sessions with Phil, there is demand for a further session next week (Thursday 1st August 9.30am).  Booking can be made online via www.littleaces.co.uk Spaces limited. 

A note from your new Chairwoman, Lorraine Oakley

I was delighted to be appointed Chairwoman of the club having been a member here with my family for over 30 years, I am committed to see the club thrive.  The  clear message from our AGM is that the main focus this year is increasing membership in all areas, with special focus on bringing in younger members to ensure the future of the club and bring the benefits and fun of playing tennis to many people.

To encourage a welcoming, positive environment for new and existing members we have introduced a competitive family membership, the opportunity to play pickleball, membership outside of group sessions and the addition of two under 5 toddler groups, Little Aces, and Messy Club.  All of these initiatives are raising awareness and bringing new members to the club.  More details are below.

I would like to thank my fellow volunteer committee members for giving up their time, energy and expertise to help drive all these measures forward:

Treasurer: Trevor Lowe, Secretary: Adam Oakley, Club Captain: Kay Liu, Lizzie Knights, Joanne Williamson and Glynis Martin.

Lifetime Member - Andy Hardy

At April's AGM, former Chairman, Dennis, recognised Andy's longstanding membership, contribution and dedication to the club with a Lifetime Membership.  Andy joins former longstanding Chairman and still active club contributor, Malcolm Nicholls, in the Lifetime Member Hall of Fame.  And not forgetting Doreen Nicholls for her ongoing efforts.  

The Committee would also like to thank Andy and Malcolm for their donations made to the club.

Welcome Phil Vivian (New Head Coach)

We welcome Phil Vivian as our head coach, Phil has vast experience in coaching tennis and is also a pickleball coach. He is available for individual coaching and will be holding family coaching sessions  and also pickleball coaching sessions on some Sunday afternoons, details will be shared  on our whatapp group and social media platforms. 

Junior coaching will now be run by Matt Womack, who has been assisting Tony in the role for many years. Matt came through the coaching system from a junior and some on the older juniors are now assisting him, so it is hoped the circle will continue. Mark Love from MDL coaching will ensure that additional help is giving to Matt for the busier sessions  when the Juniors return in September.

Introducing Pickleball

Invented in 1965 by American businessman and politician Joel Pritchard, Pickleball is often described as a cross between tennis, badminton, and table tennis. It can be played as singles or doubles.  A video on How to Play Pickleball can be viewed here.

At the beginning of the month, the club's new Head Coach, Phil Vivian, held an Introduction to Pickleball coaching session that was great fun and well attended by members and non-members.  Courts 3 and 4 were marked out with temporary tape by the Club Secretary, Adam.  

The Committee have agreed to have the Pickleball lines painted on to Courts 3 and 4 as this proves to be a new, high demand sport that is attractive to all age groups.  It's a great way for the club to welcome new members and be one of the few clubs to offer this sport in the local area.  A Pickleball membership has been introduced at £40 per year.

Courts 3 and 4 will of course remain as tennis courts, with Pickleball lines added to increase options for members.

Adam is driving the Pickleball events at the club.  He has initiated a pickleball group club session on Tuesday evenings from 6.00pm.  All membership categories of the club include pickleball, or a special membership just for pickleball can be taken for £40.00 for the club year. Courts 3 and 4 can also be booked for Pickleball outsude of group club play tennis sessions.

Phil has set up an SVLTC Pickleball WhatsApp Group to arrange play and updates.  If you would like to be added to this group, please email adamtennisclub@gmail.com

Club Maintenance

Following the AGM and departure of member Peter who regularly cut the grass, members have since formed a grass cutting rota.  Thanks to Dennis for leading on this and cutting the grass in the last couple of months.  It looks wonderful.  

Thank you to Glynis for planting the summer pots which will soon add a bit of colour to the club grounds and for spraying the weedkiller around all of the courts.  Your contribution is very much appreciated. 

The clubhouse cleaning rota remains in the clubhouse.  Thank you to all volunteers.  We have a new addition to the cleaning cupboard - Henry the Hoover.  Replacement bags are also stored in here. 

WELCOMING LOCAL YOUNG FAMILIES 

Little Aces outdoor playgroup for under 5's launched at the club at the beginning of June on a hiring basis as many other local sports clubs do.  This brings in incremental revenue for the club to support club maintenance and improvements.  

Members, Lizzie and Gerie, created Little Aces when new mum Lizzie realised the need in the local community for more activities for young families with under 5's and the absence of any form of investment in this space by Croydon Council in the local area.  They recognised this need aligned with the club's - to welcome more families and the next generation to future-proof the club.  Their mission is to create a community for young local families in a safe, welcoming, inclusive environment and to introduce them to their local family-friendly tennis and pickleball club.  So far, it's been a great success.  Over 175 young families / caregivers have attended the colourful and imaginative Messy Club and Little Aces sessions since launching in March (Messy Club is currently paused for the summer).  

At the Little Aces launch, the club's new Head Coach, Phil Vivian, provided coaching for older siblings who are home educated (ages 5-10).  The aim is to hold further sessions during the summer holidays, subject to demand and coach availability.  There's already been interest and Phil is happy to support this. 

We also welcomed two local four-legged friends, from nearby Fickleshole Farm - The Pocket Ponies.  

Little Aces provides a diverse range of outdoor play activities, including multiple tennis-related activities to introduce the little ones to the equipment from a young age.  Such include a practice net, toddler racquets and some of the club's old tennis balls set up as fun stations to develop their fine motor skills, wellbeing and social skills. 

Already we're seeing a lovely community being formed.  A positive and great thing for the club to be associated with.  

Special thanks go to Lorraine, Kay, Phil, Dennis, Adam and Jon N for supporting Little Aces in their individual ways in the initial weeks.