David Lloyd, Chair of our Participation Committee, was honoured to present prizes at St Leonards & St Ives Tennis Club’s Annual Junior Presentations with Paul Handford, Programme Manager, Carl Shoulders, Head Coach and club coaches Kit Rowden and Will Brocklebank who Dorset LTA are pleased to have recently assisted with funding for coaching qualifications. This fabulous event, attended by over 120 parents and juniors, is held every year to congratulate all the juniors on their hard work and development throughout the year and to wish them good luck for the upcoming season.
David and Nick Chapman, Dorset Tennis Hon Secretary, visited the club towards the end of 2023 and were hugely impressed with the club’s development which includes the re-surfacing of their 4 courts to artificial clay, installation of LED floodlights and a refurbished clubhouse. The club, run by volunteers, enjoys a thriving competitive environment with 14 teams competing in the 2023 summer Dorset Doubles League giving plentiful opportunities for players of all abilities to compete.
The club won the county ‘Club of the Year 2024’ Award and volunteer Sue White received the county Lifetime Achievement Award 2023 for her dedication to the club having served, and continues to serve, as Chair for over 30 years.
David’s aim is for Dorset Tennis to visit every registered tennis venue in the county. Dorset Tennis representatives have recently visited 5 other venues – Marnhull Tennis Club, Branksome Park Tennis, Poole Park, Donhead Tennis Club and Swanage Tennis Club. All great, informative visits with much learned and shared.
Our aim of the visits is to gain a better understanding of what is happening at Dorset venues; to develop the network of venue volunteers, share best practice, help each other to grow tennis in the county, offer assistance and to raise awareness of how we can support everyone involved in tennis.
Venues are invited to contact David to arrange a visit, we would love to hear from you. David can be contacted by e-mail, djllmproducts@gmail.com
