desford lawn tennis club

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Tennis for everyone

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Club News

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AEGON Classic 2011

Desford Lawn Tennis Club Secretary Gillian Jurenko was honoured to receive an invitation from John Chapman, Chairman of Tennis Leicestershire, to a celebration lunch in recognition of the support she has given to make a difference for British Tennis. The Volunteer Luncheon took place at the AEGON Classic 2011 at the Edgbaston Priory Club, Birmingham. Many volunteers from across the Midlands received thanks from the Chairman of Warwickshire Tennis on behalf of the Lawn Tennis Association. Highlights of Midlands tennis were celebrated in a short presentation, including Desford's Clubmark award in January. Gillian and her guest, fellow Desford volunteer Judith Hannah, enjoyed watching a full day's play from their centre court seats including seeing 19 year old Heather Watson, recently elevated to the world top 100 female players, winning her first round match. Gillian said it was a wonderful day, with good weather and great tennis.
It was a busy week for Gillian because she was called upon at short notice to step into the Desford Ladies team for their home match against Charnwood. She said "I told them that at nearly 55 years old I was too old to make my debut having retired from competitive tennis 11 years ago. I did not want the team to forfeit three sets and there was no one else available so I partnered Annette Fryer. We narrowly lost the first set 5-7 but won the next two 6-4 and 6-1. Our team won the match 6-3 overall so I was glad I could help!"

Leicester Mercury awards

Desford Lawn Tennis Club narrowly missed out on a prestigious Leicester Mercury Sports Award in the recent presentations at the Walkers Stadium Leicester. Nominated in the Community Impact Award we were short listed to the final three as an acknowledgement of the growth of the club over recent years and our commitment to being an inclusive rather than exclusive club. The selection committee were impressed with our special classes for girls only groups and for the taster sessions held for those with learning disabilities together with the number of coaching courses open to non members.
Gillian Jurenko and Alec Matty represented the club and enjoyed a three course meal and speeches before being presented with a framed certificate to commemorate their achievements. The awards evening was conducted by former Leicester City favourite Steve Walsh.

LTA Awards

Over 100 juniors, families and officials attended the Leicestershire Team Tennis Junior League Presentation Afternoon on Sunday 28 November at Leicester Grammar School, Great Glen.
 
Winners medals were presented by John Chapman Chairman of Tennis Leicestershire, who asked the packed audience to applaud Desford in their first season of competition. Alec said "It was superb for the club to receive formal recognition and everyone now knows who we are".
 
Ross Mannion, under 12 team member and Desford's Most Improved Player of 2010, was mentioned in the nominations for 'Team Player of the Year' as being a junior player contributing most to the team through attitude, dependability and helpfulness.

Volunteering

Leicester-Shire & Rutland Sports Volunteering Celebration Event Tuesday 30 November 2010 at Leicestershire County Cricket Club. The evening was jointly organised by Leicester-Shire & Rutland Sport and Voluntary Action Leicestershire, who administered the club's Grassroots Grant. A sports question and answer panel consisted of two sporting ambassadors, Matthew Gundy a GB triathlete and Desford's Zara Jurenko and four volunteers, including one of the oldest volunteers in the county, who had been in a volunteer for over 25 years. There were over 150 volunteers and many young volunteers were presented with 'Step into Sport' certificates to recognise the number of volunteer hours that they had completed. Also in the audience were club members Richard & Gillian Jurenko and Jim & Sue Houghton. The evening finished with a 'Question of Sport' interactive quiz.
 
The club's Chair, Sue Hand recently acknowledged the contribution made by the club's volunteers:

None of this ( the club's achievements) could, of course have been achieved without the commitment of all committee members, their families, and many others. My thanks also go out to Harry for the wonderful (volunteer) support he gives Alec week in, week out. A big thank you to all who have been involved with the club this year, and have helped in any way. Thank you to all the parents who offer their support – it’s always appreciated when you put balls in the buckets!!

Anyone who wishes to volunteer at our club should contact either Richard Jurenko (Volunteer Co -ordinator) or Head Coach Alec Matty.
People who wish to volunteer as 'Games Makers' to help at the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games should apply to www.london2012.com/volunteering.

For details of volunteering in tennis courses go to http://www.inspire2coach.co.uk/coach-education/tennis-leaders/

youthbank

Succesful grant application

A group of our junior members have been succesful in their application to the Youth Bank for a grant to improve the facilities at Desford. The proposal made by the team with the guidance of Jim Houghton from SID was for funding to develop two new courts and to resurface the existing courts. The team was led by Nicola Fryer and comprised Jennifer Fryer, Sam Collins, Chris Alder, Jon Horne, Peter Cooke, Bruce Tolley and Will Shields and received an offer of nearly twenty thousand pounds toward the costs.
The Committee and SID are now actively pursuing other funding options before deciding on a preferred course of action to improve the playing facilities.