Chairman's Introduction

I would like to begin my introduction by thanking all committee members and club captains for their efforts over the winter period. Throughout the winter months there are few opportunities for the social tennis that, barring poor weather, takes place on Monday and Thursday evenings throughout the spring and summer months. Throughout the quieter winter season matches are played and there are still many administrative tasks that have to be fulfilled as well as preparations for the new season. As you look through this newsletter please do remember that the organisation of events, improvements to the facilities and new developments are the result of the efforts of a small team of dedicated members. Please do make the most of the opportunities and support the committee by actively participating in the various events.

The biggest change that has occurred over the winter period is the club's membership of the Lawn Tennis Association (LTA). All past members should have had information on becoming a member of the LTA. One of the benefits of becoming a member is the opportunity to obtain a pair of tickets for Wimbledon. There will be an interesting start to the season with the ballot for these tickets and the opportunity for one of the club's members to be at the Wimbledon finals at the start of July. The draw is being held at the club house on the first club night which is Monday 28 March. Another new initiative to be introduced this year is the running of an Open afternoon to be held on the 15 May in which it is hoped to encourage new and lapsed members to join the club. Any assistance with the running of this event would be much appreciated. The club will again be seeking to run junior coaching sessions and will have a junior team competing in various competitions.

All that is left for me to do is to wish everyone an enjoyable season. I am sure I am not alone in hoping for many warm sunny days so that we can all play lots of tennis. I look forward to seeing you all over the coming months.

Teams

The club will be entering eight teams in the Basingstoke and District Summer Tennis League. Details of teams and 'home' match times are as follows:

Team	Match Time
Mens A	Tuesday PM
Mens B	Sunday AM
Mens C	Friday PM
Ladies A	Wednesday PM
Ladies B	Saturday AM
Mixed A	Tuesday PM
Mixed B	Sunday AM
Mixed C	Saturday AM

Anyone who wishes to play in one of the teams should contact a committee member, who will put you in touch with the relevant team captain. Some of the teams do struggle for players so do please come forward. The teams are spread across many divisions so are suitable for all abilities and are an ideal way to improve your game.

Oakley Tennis Club members will also form part of the team playing in the Newbury Tennis League.

Anyone interested in finding out results and positions of the teams can do so on the following website:- www.fixtureslive.co.uk and then searching on Oakley Tennis Club.

Club Events & Tournaments

The club will again be arranging a number of tennis events throughout the season.

Event	Date
Open Entry American Tournament In aid of Barth Syndrome Trust	1st May 2011
Ladies Singles & Mens Singles	11th June 2011
Mixed Doubles	19th June 2011
Mens and Ladies Doubles	3rd July 2011
Barnardo's Charity Tournament	T.B.A September 2011

We hope that as many members as possible will enter these events which are good fun, and make real club occasions. Please see the club notice board for further information on these events and competitions.

Club Nights

Club nights for senior members will again be on Monday and Thursday evenings commencing at 6:30 pm. Please note that senior club nights are open to all adult members and invited junior members. The first club night of the summer season will be on Monday 28th March 2011. BDH club members will continue joining in with Oakley club nights and other Club events.

On club nights, there will be a mix of players of all levels, and players coming off court should mix with waiting players to make up 4 players for doubles.

On occasions single short sets should be played i.e. (6-5) particularly when the courts are very busy.

Club Afternoon Sessions

Senior members of the club can also join in with those playing tennis on a Tuesday afternoon. The club will be trialling additional afternoon sessions on Thursdays and Saturdays. All sessions will commence at 13.30pm. On some occasions the Saturday afternoon session will not be possible; prior notice will be placed in the club house when there is a league match due to take place.

Subscriptions 2011/2012

The club is currently in a sound financial position, as was reported in the AGM. To help encourage senior and family members to submit membership fees early a £10 discount is to be offered. The Membership Secretary will be happy to receive payments before the 31 May deadline.

Guests or friends can accompany a member on one occasion only. Members should encourage their guest or friend to join the club.

	Full Fee (if paid after 31st May 2011)	Reduced Fee (if paid before 31st May 2011)
Adults	£75	£65
Family	£110	£100
Primary School	£15	N/A
Secondary School	£20	N/A
Over 60s	£35	N/A
Tuesday Afternoon	£30	N/A
BDH Members	£50	N/A
Match Fee	£2	N/A
Student Match Fee	£1	N/A
Visitors Fee	£1	N/A

Juniors

Oakley Tennis Club is again planning to offer coaching sessions for junior members. We hope to be able to run two coaching sessions 7 -13 year olds and a 14+ group for more advanced players. We will advertise in the LINK magazine, village notice boards, club notice boards and notices will be passed to local Schools.

We would appreciate help from parents of junior members, ensuring that their children's friends who play with them on the courts, are also members. The annual membership fee for juniors is kept low to encourage children to become members prior to using the facilities. There are few restrictions as to when children can play during the daytime and the courts are always open. See rules below.

Reminder Of Club Rules For All Members

1. All members shall conduct themselves in a manner which shall not bring either the game of lawn tennis or the Club into disrepute.
2. Dress on court should be suitable tennis clothing and must include non marking, flat tennis shoes.
3. Senior Club nights, to which all Adult and Senior Citizen and invited Junior members may attend, are every Monday and Thursday from 6.30 pm onwards during the season. After 7.30 pm other Junior members may play, if a court or courts are not required by Adult and Senior Citizen members.
4. Junior members are only permitted to play after 6.30 pm on Tuesday Wednesday and Friday evenings if the courts are not required by Adult and Senior Citizen members.
5. Club afternoon, to which all Adult and Senior Citizen members and other invited guests/visitors may come, will be held on Tuesday afternoons between 1.30 pm and 3.30 pm. Junior members may play if courts are available and not required by the other members or their guests/visitors.
6. At times, other than those above, Adult, Senior Citizen members and Junior members have equal right to the use of the courts.
7. If all courts are in use and there are members waiting to play, singles should not be played and playing time is limited to 30 minutes per court.
8. The committee reserve the right to use the courts for special events i.e. League Matches, Coaching, Tournaments etc. at any time.
9. Club balls must be returned to the pavilion after use, making sure that none have been left in the grass around the courts or in the field. If balls are knocked into the gardens of the adjoining houses they must not be retrieved.
10. The net should be lowered at the end of play.