Latest News from BLTSC

It’s been a long time in the making but now it’s here: the new BLTSC web site is alive and kicking!

Our new site has two goals: to help existing members keep up to date with club news and developments; and promote our club to potential new members.

Please take the time to have a look around, blood sweat and tears have gone into getting it here!

The news feature is a great tool that we’ll be using more and more to keep you informed: it’s also there for you to contribute a story or a viewpoint to the membership. The Office will be the gatekeeper for publishing news items with the new Media and Marketing Secretary ensuring the look and feel of the site continues to accurately represent our Club.

I would like to say a huge thank you to Keith Palmer for managing our original site singlehandedly for so long and another huge thank you to Rick Carter for designing this new version.

Enjoy!

Rachel Payne

Chairman BLTSC

How busy are your Tuesday nights from 6.30pm?

Club social sessions are a vital part of any successful tennis club. So, to build on our weekend and midweek sessions, summer 2009 will see the re-introduction of a week day club evening.

Starting April 28th, Tuesday evenings will be summer club night!

There is no supervision for these sessions it is purely turn up, mix in and play. It may well be that we have some matches on Tuesdays, but we have enough courts for everyone to get a game. 

For those members very new to tennis or not confident of their standard, check in with Sam Tyler during the new member sessions (Weds at 7pm) for his view to see if you’re ready to join in club play.

With Tony’s bar games night also on a Tuesday from 8pm there should be something for everyone!

So, block out Tuesdays in your diaries and come down and play!

Excavation work has revealed extensive damp at the rear of the pavilion.

Remedial action is going to be required, probably in 2009. It seems the source of the leak is the Men’ shower area.

With such heavy daily use of the Mens facilities it seems sensible to consider a refurbishment of this area whilst repairing the pavilion.

The Management Committee is looking for volunteers to form a development sub committee to structure and manage this important project: the repair of the pavilion and internal refurbishments.

It’s not the purpose of the sub committee to undertake the works required but agree what needs to be done, obtain quotes and manage through to completion.

We’d like things to start moving shortly after March’s AGM, so please give this your consideration and, if you can, volunteer some time to help your club.

During 2009 we want to get more of you involved in the running of your club

At the Club AGM on Sunday March 29th Management Committee members come up for re-election. As is usual a nominations list will be posted on the Clubhouse notice board in early March. This year information will be provided about what each of these roles comprise and roughly how much time commitment is estimated.

This year will also see a new role added- Media and Marketing Secretary

Please take the time to look at the notice board and see what the Club needs: the broader our volunteer base the better the club can represent its members interests, opionions and ideas.

More information about volunteering opportunities will also be appearing here on the web site

It’s almost that time of the year again.

Sunday March 29th at 4pm is our AGM. A pack of information will be sent out to all members in early March with the agenda, 2009/10 subscription information and more.

2009 will see us once again spending a significant amount of money on our facilities: an area where most of you will have have opinions.

Come down to the meeting and find out what’s planned, when it’s planned and how and you and your views can play a part in making these plans a reality.

BLTC are pleased to announce the creation of the SMF Junior League

As part of our ongoing commitment to the development of young players in the area, BLTC are delighted to announce the start of a new LTA sanctioned weekly Junior League, sponsored by Southern Motor Factors.

The league will run on Sundays at Sandford Road 4-6pm, initially indoors. It is anticipated that during the summer outdoor courts will also be required as the League expands: members will be informed of any specific court allocation

The SMF Junior League is for Red, Orange and Green players who are seeking match play experience or building on their existing skills.

Entry is open to non- members, please see our SMF Junior League page for further details or contact Head Coach Tony Staley for more information

Grass courts 5,6,7 are to be resurfaced after the Summer 2009 season

Whilst we’re all used to how fast these three courts play, their speed is a consequence of the surface having become totally impacted.

We’ve had longer life span than estimated for this type of surface so plans are now in motion to resurface them. Here’s where we are:

• Work to be scheduled late 2009 early 2010
• Three quotes were obtained- Trevor May has been awarded the contract
• New surface is like-for- like artificial grass
• We anticipate applying for floodlights
• The Club has funds to cover costs

It’s worth pointing out that new carpet will not play as the existing one does- it will be slower. In time it will quicken as our current courts have but we have selected a surface that most resembles the current material.

Artificial grass is not a surface the LTA promote, so if we needed funding for this project they would insist on a different surface. We are therefore fortunate that the Club’s finances are in sound shape and allow us to make our own decision and select a surface that has proved very popular with our membership.

We would like some members to experience the new surface and have been offered some locations by Trevor May. We can’t all go but a cross section of players would be sensible.

If you would like to help and be part of this important process please let the office know.

In mid- November we invited our neighbours along to BLTC to have a chat.

The evening was also to bring them up to speed with our development projects.

Despite clashing with the England vs Germany game we had a reasonable turn out of about 25 residents from Sandford Road, Hayes Road and Hayes Lane.

Pleasingly it seems we’re alright as neighbours and our mention of more floodlighting was not met with instant objections.

We have been asked to look at the old Hayes Lane entrance which has fallen into disrepair and also to notify residents when the Pavilion is used for functions (so they can vacate the area it seems).

The coaching team have agreed to reduce reliance on courts 1&2 as was requested of us.

To keep you informed progress updates will be provided here on the site.

Lastly, respecting our neighbours is not only good manners but common sense. Whether it’s our conduct, car parking or noise, please give them your consideration and bear in mind that each resident has the right to oppose any planning application we may chose to make.

Rachel Payne

Chairman

as they collect the spoils from a hard fought season!

Team Captain, Richard Tanner, is pulling together a table to attend this evening of celebration (in Gravesham).

Pictures from the NK Celebrations.

If you haven’t played in one before, these tournaments are a great way to enjoy some fun social tennis and meet other members.

Don’t worry if you’re a less experienced player you’ll be paired up with players that know the ropes.

The scoring system is designed to give everyone a chance- so why not give it a go?

Entry fee £2