Richard Henshaw
Chairman
Richard has been active in tennis as a player and volunteer for 40 years.
He started as a junior at a small Shropshire club where he went on to play for the County at junior and senior level. After playing and volunteering at clubs in Berkshire and Somerset, where he met his tennis playing wife, Helen, he settled in Christchurch, in 1996 and joined Southbourne TC. Richard has since played match tennis for the club and spent a five-year spell as Chairman. He was then asked to support the County by becoming Honorary Secretary in 2002. He held this role for 10 years and also became the County’s LTA representative in 2005 and County Chairman from 2011. In his national role Richard has, for the last 6 years, chaired the Facilities Committee which oversees the LTA’s loans and grants.
Richard is a Member of the Royal Town Planning Institute and works locally as a consultant. He has made use of his professional skills to support new facilities in his club, County and on the national stage, and is always keen to hear of new opportunities.
John Feaver
President
John played tennis for Dorset, both junior and senior teams. Between 1970 and 1983 he competed in the Davis Cup, Grand Slams and on the Tour. He played in 42 countries and enjoyed the travel as well as the competition. John worked at the LTA for 20 years in Events and Sponsorship and sat on the Main Board for 4 years. He represented Europe on the ATP and WTA Boards as well as the Committee of the All England Club and The Championships, Wimbledon.
John is now President of the International Club of Great Britain and Chairman of the Advisory Board of StreetGames, a national charity, as well as Chairman of the Trustees of Performance Plus Sport.
He is passionate about Dorset Tennis and is open to new ideas of how to get more players playing and enjoying the game at all levels.
Brian Cooley
Treasurer
Short bio to follow
Nick Chapman
Secretary
Nick has played tennis in Dorset since he moved to the county 30 years ago and has been a member of Sherborne Tennis Club since then. He was born and brought up in Kent, where he played his junior tennis, representing Sevenoaks School. He has represented his club in Dorset, Yeovil and District and national leagues, and latterly has represented the County at in the 55’s and 60’s.
He has been involved with the running of Sherborne Tennis Club for many years, and has been its Chair since 2016. Nick worked for the NHS for 33 years, as a Hospital Chief Executive in Dorset, and in Somerset, and then in national roles. He is married to Philippa and has a son, a daughter and a grandson.
Annie Smith
County Administrator / Volunteer
Annie works part time as County Administrator supporting the volunteers and the various Committees. She also volunteers her time for Dorset LTA; she sits on the Competitions Committee and from 2020 to 2023, represented the County as LTA Councillor.
She has a real passion for the sport having taken it up later in life when her children started playing. She was Secretary at a local club for 8 years before taking on a role with the LTA and now with Dorset LTA. She enjoys keeping active in her spare time playing tennis and getting out on her bike.
Emma Plimmer
Safeguarding Officer
Emma started playing tennis a few years ago when her daughter took an interest through a tennis club at school.
She enjoys all things fitness, is a keen runner, gym attendee and is training for her Fitness Instructor and Personal Training qualifications alongside a Sports and Fitness degree. Emma is also a LTA Level 2 Accredited Coaching Assistant. Emma started her safeguarding journey as Welfare Officer for a gymnastics club and is now Welfare Officer at Ferndown Tennis Club.
As Safeguarding Officer for Dorset, she is keen to engage with all players, coaches and venues to ensure everyone can enjoy playing tennis in a safe environment.
David Walrond
From 2023, LTA Councillor for Dorset. Sits on Competition's Committee. LTA Referee.
Steve Davies
Chair, Competitions Committee
Steve has been playing tennis in Bournemouth for over 40 years and is now fully involved in Seniors Tennis in the County as well as competing regularly in the Dorset tennis leagues. Now retired from his career as a Local Authority Town Planner he is helping to assess applications and advise on any plans that Clubs may have to develop their facilities. If you have any ideas or plans which will encourage more people playing more tennis in Dorset, even if they are at an early stage, please contact Steve for a chat.
David Lloyd
Chair, Participation Committee
Short bio to follow.
Annie Mitchener
Short bio to follow
Rob Booth
County Performance Coach, 12 and under - 18 and under
Debbie Hale
County Performance Coach, 8 and under - 11 and under
