From: The Racketeer 62, August 2006
WHO'S WHO AT MAPPERLEY PARK TENNIS CLUB
Christine Preston - Club President
by Anita Jones
LIKE MANY organisations, MPTC relies on a number of people who consistently give their time to ensure the smooth running of the club. Many Racketeer readers are probably unaware of the hard work that goes into running events, attending meetings, arranging matches and providing facilities for the enjoyment of all members. In the next few issues I will be profiling some of the people who over many years have put much time and effort into the club.
So, what better place to start than with our leader...
A MEMBER of the club since moving to Nottingham in 1973, Christine captained the Ladies' 2nd team during the 70s and 80s. She soon became a committee member and finally took up the mantle of president in 1996 from Mike Smith. In her own words, she felt it was an honour to be asked to take on the role. Traditionally, presidents held their post for five years but Christine, whether through choice or necessity, has continued to work tirelessly in this role for ten years.
Her involvement with tennis started back in her junior school days when she was a Lancashire lass living in Colne, playing for the local club and subsequently playing for clubs in Nuneaton and Ilkley before moving to Nottingham. She passed her love of tennis on to her daughter, Charlotte, who also played at Mapperley Park - the family clearly preferring the friendly face of MPTC over our two larger local rivals.
As President, Christine's duties are varied but mainly, she:
- heads the committee, chairing around eight committee meetings a year at her home
- hosts President's Evening, providing strawberries and cream, and prizes
- attends county fixture meetings, winter and summer
- coordinates all activity for finals day
- attends City Forum tennis meetings twice a year
- updates the 'this week/next week' board in the clubhouse
- ensures facilities are kept up to scratch
- coordinates the annual dinner, arranging trophies; makes a speech
- arranges and runs the AGM, serving a super mulled wine for the (sadly) few attendees.
Christine still enjoys playing; mainly with the Wednesday morning 'mature ladies' (her words not mine) although with some persuasion she will still turn out for a match or two each season. As an ex-team captain, she understands the difficulties in getting a team together.
However, tennis is not her only sport as she is a keen golfer, playing for Mapperley Golf Club where she is also a committee member and match secretary. If that's not enough she enjoys gardening and spending time with her four young grandchildren.
Over the years, Christine has seen many changes at the club. A new clubhouse, all weather courts replacing the grass, floodlights and a visit by Jeremy Bates in 1998. Unfortunately, the years have also seen a decline in membership as people's lives become busier and the lure of the large 'health clubs' with their many different sporting facilities under one roof.
Looking to the future, Christine hopes that the club will continue to strive to move forward. Floodlights on courts 3 and 4 will be the next major improvement but, in addition to facilities, the club needs to continue with its social activities and encourage members to join in and give their time and effort to continue to make MPTC a good place to play tennis.
And a final message from the president to all members: Support your club and the committee, take part in club events, attend the AGM and have your say in how your club is run.