Thursday July 17, 2008

Our History

 Founded in February 1909 the Club has been on its present site ever since.  It gets its name from the avenue of trees, which led to the Club.  In 1912 a disused railway carriage acquired from the Somerset & Dorset line became the first clubhouse and that year the Club affiliated to the LTA.  The Club started with 2 grass courts with 2 more grass courts being added in 1912.  2 shale courts were constructed in 1925 and by 1928 there were 9 courts in use -  6 grass and 3 shale.  In more recent years the grass and shale courts became synthetic grass and tarmacadam and floodlighting was added in 1984 (3 courts initially). 

A brand new Clubhouse was built in 2001 and 3 more artificial grass courts were added at the same time. Floodlighting was also increased and all 8 courts are now lit. The new clubhouse  replaced the previous one, which had been in use since 1962.  This was a surplus accommodation hut from Locking RAF camp.  Our new clubhouse has a licensed bar, table tennis table & pool table, fully equipped kitchen, an administration office, changing rooms with showers and good facilities for the less able.  Funding for this and the redevelopment of the courts and floodlighting costing £½m came from Sport England, The LTA, the Local Authority, and from the Club's own enterprises. 

Several Club members played in the Wimbledon Tournament during the period 1930's / 1960's by which time the club had built up a very worthy national reputation.  In the 1980's early 1990's the Club's Veteran team either won, or was runner up or semi-finalist in National Inter Club Competitions.  Very recently the club has had members in the Great Britain Veteran teams and playing at Junior, Senior and Veteran County level. 

The Club has built a very good reputation for the annual Burnham-on-Sea Open Tournaments held at the Club annually in August (details on home page of this website).  Players come from far and wide across the country.  At its peak the Junior Tournament required 1,000 matches being played in a week.  Many well known nationally ranked players have played in our Tournaments over the years as Juniors or Adults - John Feaver, Mark Cox, Buster Mottram, Andrew Castle, Jo Durie to name a few.

Membership of the Club has thrived over the years.  Records show there were 90 members in 1923 rising to 188 in 1931 and currently standing at over 300 .

In 1996 the Club became a founder member and the lead Partner of the North Sedgemoor Community Tennis Partnership which has its base at the Club.  This Partnership was one of only six appointed in the Country by the LTA under its major Tennis initiative '1996-2001 a Strategy for Change'.  The strategy proved so successful that there are now over 100 Community Tennis Partnerships all over the Country.  The Partnership's main objective is to develop tennis throughout the Community for all ages and abilities.  A variety of tennis coaching programmes are organised by the Partnership's Tennis Development Officer at the Tennis Club, in many local Schools, and other sites.

Our Future

The Club’s Management Committee is ambitious and works hard for the benefit of the club & it’s members. The Committee seeks to significantly increase membership through its 'open door' policy and thereby continue to improve facilities available.  It also aims to improve coaching methods particularly of Juniors to provide a good nucleus of younger players feeding through to County and National standard.

What we Offer

PLAYING and SOCIAL memberships.  There are NO Court charges other than a chargeable token system which operates for those wishing to use the floodlighting.  On social tennis nights (Wednesday and Friday) floodlights are free!  A PLAYING MEMBER is automatically a social member (no additional cost) and Individual SOCIAL membership is very welcome - popular with non-playing spouses and partners.

The Club ENCOURAGES the opportunity to play and ENJOY TENNIS at whatever age or ability.  'ORGANISED' SOCIAL TENNIS sessions take place on Tuesday; Thursday & Sunday mornings and Wednesday & Friday evenings guaranteeing everyone turning up a game.  Otherwise members are free to organise their own games. 

A LARGE NEW CLUBHOUSE which has a well stocked Bar; Social Area and excellent changing facilities with SHOWERS and for summer outdoor social events there is also a PATIO & BBQ AREA. 

PROFESSIONAL COACHES are resident at the Club and organise COACHING COURSES (Group or Individual) at most time to suit.  From JUNIOR BEGINNERS (MINI-TENNIS), through to ADULT BEGINNERS; IMPROVERS or ADVANCED. 

JUNIOR DEVELOPMENT SQUADS and ADULT COACHING & MATCHPLAY sessions are geared to those players wishing to further improve their game.  There are regular COURSES for THE DISABLED and carers and family are encouraged to participate.  HOLIDAY COURSES & ACTIVITIES are available at the appropriate times. 

COMPETITIVE TENNIS is available at all levels for those who seek it.  We have MENS; LADIES; MIXED and JUNIOR teams in the North Somerset and other Tennis Leagues. 

A SOCIAL ATMOSPHERE for JUNIORS and ADULTS is encouraged.  A Pool Table; Television and other facilities are available, and a VARIETY of JUNIOR and ADULT SOCIALS regularly take place.  From MAY to SEPTEMBER Club Suppers are available on Wednesday Evenings (from 8:00pm) at a very modest cost for members and friends. 

OUR CLUBHOUSE & Patio & BAR can be HIRED for your private party or function.  There is room for up to 75 seated people (100+ standing buffet style) and we allow hirers to do their own catering, which keeps the costs down although we can recommend excellent local caterers as well.