2011 Message From The Chairman

Chairman’s Foreword – Year 2 Dec 10 to Nov 11

This has been a year of consolidation for RAF tennis, with much to be proud of. We have developed further the close relations between the RAF and the Halton Village Tennis Club, culminating in a now annual friendly fixture and social event to mark the end if the season, which has been enjoyed by all. We have the energies of a new senior team, including Wg Cdr Lyn McManus as Director of Tennis and Flt Lt Chris Evans as the new Men’s team captain, with Sqn Ldr Kate Frayling continuing her sterling job as Ladies’ Captain.

Although both Mens’ and Ladies’ teams lost the Inter-Services at Wimbledon in 2010, we did win the Mens’ and Ladies’ Veterans trophies. However we have a group of promising young players in both Men’s and Ladies squads and a much improved coaching plan; under the leadership of FS Marc Hughes and Sgt Andy Keeley which promises much for the future. Under the considerable organisational abilities of Wg Cdr Vicky Gosling we hosted a most successful and inspiring day in July bringing disabled servicemen from Headley Court to experience wheelchair tennis, with much support from the Halton Club and the Tennis Foundation, under the banner of the Battleback programme. This is an area we intend to build on in the future to become a centre for disabled tennis for both military and civilian personnel.

The domestic tournaments namely the Novice tournament and the Inter-Stations tournament are now well established and enjoyable and included some hard-fought matches and we hope for an even better attendance at both in 2011. We had an excellent RAF Championships, with an increased attendance of players and excellent management from Wg Cdr (ret’d) Ray Greenhall as referee and the organisation from Sqn Ldr Ash Cudlipp and Flt Lt Liz Price. This year there have also been further improvements to the Halton facility, with newly surfaced courts in the old dome and a world class facility in the new one, with a fully functioning new gym.

It would be remiss not to mention some veterans of the sport who are moving on. I am delighted that our out-going Director of Tennis Sqn Ldr Damian Gange received his lifetime contribution award to RAF Sport from the Chief of the Air Staff in November, to for his enormous contribution to RAF Tennis over 37 years. FS Mark Lane stepped down as Mens’ Captain after many years of substantial contribution, both as a player, leader and mentor to many of the young players. Lastly we will also say goodbye to the Deputy Director, Wg Cdr Tom Wood, who is leaving the Service, although I am delighted that he will work in a new capacity at the Halton Tennis Centre and we hope to keep him on the RAFLTA committee. His contribution over many years both as a player and official and his passionate advocacy of RAF Tennis will be sorely missed.

Our change priorities for the 1 Oct 10 to 30 Sep 11 season are to:

1. Increase participation in RAF Tennis, including the domestic competitions.
2. To be more competitive at the Inter-Service competitions.
3. Seek further sponsorship to support RAF Tennis.
4. Develop Halton as a centre for both military and civilian disabled tennis

The Committee aims to meet 4 times a year to drive through our programme to provide the best tennis teams, organisation and facilities that we can. This Plan will guide our work, but we can change it as needed throughout the year. To that end, Committee members are responsible for running their own area of activity. But everyone reading this has a role to play in developing and advertising the game widely, to maximise tennis in our Royal Air Force. Let me know if I can help you, or you want to influence your Committee in any other way. And good luck in your tennis!

Air Cdre Mozumder