Following a welcome invitation from Rye tennis coach Frances Candy, I had my very first opportunity to set foot into a tennis club. How would a normal Joe like me fare? I was full of anticipation and slightly in awe, for me, of this unknown territory.
Upon arrival on Sunday March 18, I could not help but notice the all-weather courts filled with enthusiastic players giving their all. These were six- to eight-year-old youngsters from Rye, taking on their counterparts from The Green Lawn Tennis Club from St Leonards-on-Sea.
This was Rye’s 3rd Team Challenge event of the year, an initiative from the LTA (Lawn Tennis Association), which encourages children who have tennis coaching once a week to participate in a game of tennis in a team environment.
Each match was played over a period of 10 minutes, the scoring format was that of a tie break situation, with one point being given for each rally won. All the children played four or five matches so each player had at least 80 minutes of play on court.
All the scores from every match are recorded and totalled up at the end and the team with the most points is the winner. There was a buoyant atmosphere in the clubhouse and real excitement as everyone waited for the result. In an incredibly close-fought contest, The Green ran out winners and pipped Rye by a solitary point, a final score of 248 to 247.
To my mind they are all winners, the commitment shown from the club’s staff and the children’s parents is to be admired. The children learn vital life experience too: how to win and lose, be part of a team, support their team and see things through to completion. There’s the importance of wearing the correct attire to combat the elements, especially for one young lad who was adamant about wearing shorts throughout on a pretty chilly afternoon. These are all excellent character-building traits that will stand them in good stead in the future.
This is a fabulous family day out where everyone gets a prize and great tea is laid on afterwards.
Coach Frances summed it up nicely: “It is so good to see the children playing their hearts out and enjoying the event. It’s a real winner.” It was a pleasure to meet the lovely Frances and I could see in her eyes the joy and satisfaction she gets from a room full of happy children focused and inspired to play tennis, hopefully again and again with the most important aspect, having fun!
Also catered for with this initiative are 9-12 and 13-16-year-old age groups, however, the club would love to see more teenagers involved. Any 17-20-year-old players out there interested in joining the club are very welcome – the club is in need of you.
If this normal Joe did have any preconceptions that tennis clubs are only for a certain type, he was completely wrong – this club is very warm and down-to-earth, from the staff to the families involved. If you have always wanted to to play or join a tennis club I would encourage you to do so, you may be pleasantly surprised.
Contact Rye Tennis Club on 01797 223151 or email info@ryetennisandsquashclub.org.uk or Frances Candy direct at fjcandy@talktalk.net.
Photo: Micky Day