From: The Racketeer 23, February 1997
A Good Year for Tennis
by Geoff Firmin
IT HAS been a good year! Normally as you know I start this review of the tennis side of the club with a report on the performance of the teams. However I would like to break with tradition and mention an initiative which I know will enhance tennis for everyone. I am of course talking about our planned court lights. These will have a substantial impact on the attractiveness of MPTC as a playing venue and hopefully will give yet another fillip to the club's fortunes. I would like to thank Mike Smith, who is leading this project, and his team.
Now to the teams. This time last year we were wondering with some trepidation whether our Men's and Ladies' teams could stay up, in Divisions 1 and 2 respectively. Well they did, so that in itself is cause for celebration. The men did particularly well, finishing third, a position a few years ago we could only have dreamed about. Other clubs have big names, county players and years of experience in Division 1. How did we manage it? I think firstly because we have more talent than we are given credit for. Secondly we have a close knit ream, with tremendous spirit and a great will to win - look at how close most of the matches were. Congratulations to captain John Broomfield and everyone who played. Also to Jane Dixon in her first season as Ladies' 1st captain.
The Men's A performed well under Tim Setchfield but not quite well enough to gain promotion. The Men's B, jointly run by Paul Hacking and Vince Selke (it's always the other's fault), were relegated but remain cheerful, as always. Having gained promotion to Division 2 the Mixed 1st, led by Cynthia Lindo not only stayed up but finished a creditable 4th. The Mixed A, captained by well-known journalist and poison pen writer Andy Lusis, also gained promotion in 1995 but suffered player availability problems last summer and unfortunately were relegated.
We did not run a Ladies 2nd but I'm pleased to announce that we will be re-introducing one this summer, a reflection of the increased numbers and enthusiasm in the Ladies' section.
In closing this review of the teams may I pay tribute to the captains. It's nice to have the glory when things are going well but it is not an easy task getting six players out for six matches throughout the season. It requires a lot of hard work behind the scenes. Thank you.
Moving on to the Juniors. The section continues to thrive under the guidance of club coach Liz May and Malcolm Turner. Ages and abilities vary but the enthusiasm at all levels is there for all to see. It is now three seasons since we
launched our junior development programme and we are now at the stage where we can re-introduce a junior team. This will play in the summer with Liz coaching the squad in the requirements of team play. I would like to thank Liz generally for her contribution as coach and to remind members that she is available for adult coaching on an individual or group basis.
I have said before that team tennis is important but not the only aspect of a healthy club. Club tennis is a core activity which I think has improved this year and should be even better when we have our lights. Please continue to support Wednesday nights and also our various open days, President's Day, etc. These are an opportunity to mix in, meet new people, be organised by someone else and have an excellent tea! What more could people want? Much hard work precedes them and more support would be a just return. All ages and standards are welcome - and the combination of energetic juniors and ageing adults has provided some entertaining spectacles in the past! So please put the dates in your diary as soon as the new club calendar is published.
The Club Tournament was run by Duncan Burd this year and by all accounts went well, except for the fact that Duncan lost his crown to John Broomfield on Finals Day. The Plate event for first round losers was a really good innovation giving hope and interest to those people who enter the main tournament without strong expectations of winning a major trophy. Thanks to Duncan for the hard work he put into organising and moving the tournament along. He never looks fazed but I know from experience that there will have been some hairy moments during the summer as the tournament progressed - or didn't - as the case may be. Hopefully he will build on the learning curve and run it again this year.
Incidentally, in all of the above activities and in many more, our President is always there making her contribution in a variety of ways. I would like to thank Christine Preston without whom the tennis side, let alone the other aspects of the club, would not run so smoothly.
This is my final appearance as Club Captain. Having moved out of Mapperley Park I did not feel that I could do the role justice and anyway, I think it healthy that the position should have the stimulus of a new recruit. I would like to wish my successor, who I know will do an excellent job, well and to thank all those who have supported me in the past.