A local tennis club that was struggling to keep going a few years ago is now on fine form, and on the look-out for new members.
Teignmouth Tennis Club was hit hard by Covid and membership dwindled to just four. But over the last few years it’s forged useful partnerships with local organisations, attracted new players and achieved a strong performance in the Exeter & District Men’s League, with both teams winning promotion from their divisions.
It currently has 16 members, ranging in age from 20s to 60s, and would like to increase membership to 30 by the end of next year. The club is particularly keen to attract female members and enter a team in the women’s league.
Chairman Tom Stenner-Evans said: “It's a nice, laid-back group of people. Because we're small, we're always very welcoming with new members.
“We really just need four improver/intermediate standard female players to start a section; essentially, enough for a good doubles game! From that, we can hopefully attract more players to form a group who can play regularly together and who could join the men for mixed doubles as well.”
The club is based at Bishopsteignton’s Multi-Use Games Area (MUGA) where members have exclusive use of the two tennis courts on Monday and Thursday evenings.
It’s currently working with Bishopsteignton Parish Council, which manages the MUGA, to get the courts resurfaced, improving them for all users.
During the winter, members play on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday evenings at Trinity School in Teignmouth, which has an indoor court.
Tom said: “Trinity have been very helpful and accommodating in ensuring that the club can continue, as we'd struggle to be viable without indoor court access as a selling point.”
Membership fees are £120 per year, with lower rates for students and juniors. There are no court fees, so members can play as much as they like.
For more information, and to join, visit
Alternatively, the club can be messaged via Instagram.
Comments
This article has no comments yet. Be the first to leave a comment.