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1. Introduction
The past season has been another active and successful one for your club. The clubhouse has been ‘bedding in’, with some uses found for the upstairs area and some extra decoration in the form of pictures added. A new loo has been installed in the changing rooms. A website was launched.
2. Teams
Teams had mixed fortunes again although the mixed II won their Division and the Mens I were promoted in the Summer league? A new ladies III team was formed and won 4, lost 1 in their first season and are through to the semi final. An innovation this season was a season of ‘friendly’ matches against local mainly non league clubs. This has been introduced and organised by Bob Duck. So far the feedback on these matches have been very positive and the fact that the club is ahead in the results is an indicator of a high playing standard vis a vis other clubs. (We have after all hosted a Davies Cup player and Kent Junior Champion on our courts this year!).
3. Financial position
This will be presented in more detail under the Treasurer’s statement. However, I would like to emphasise that the financial position remains strong, provided we can maintain and increase if possible our membership. The sinking fund needs to be built up to replace facilities as they wear out, the next major replacement being the resurfacing of the bottom two courts.
4. Membership
Membership numbers have been maintained during the year and now stand at 116 senior members, made up of 83 Full members, 20 intermediates and 13 Mid Week. There were also 57 Juniors. We are still some way off the LTA recommended numbers of 50 per court and need to make more efforts to attract new members as well as retain our existing numbers. Competition has increased in the area, with Otford gaining floodlights, a David Lloyd Centre opening at Kingshill and West Heath establishing itself as a Junior performance centre.
5. Forward Plans
I attended the Kent LTA AGM where I met the new LTA President Stuart Smith and chief executive Roger Draper. They have big plans to revolutionise the LTA under a ‘winning’ slogan with good implications for us if we can follow some of their initiatives.
6. And finally...
I would like to thank all those Committee members who have supported me in the past year. I am standing down as Chairman, with Howard Cloke nominated to take over. It is no doubt time for some fresh blood on the Committee and wish him well and my full support.
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