Arthur Ashe once said, ‘Start where you are. Use what you have. Do what you can.’
With Arthur’s advice in mind, and the benefit of fantastic tennis courts right on our doorstep, the 2018 DLTC Committee has been working to boost the club’s profile, membership and coaching programmes.
With some new members on the DLTC Committee, enthusiastic, well-qualified coaches on board and the sun shining for us, the 2018 season has been encouraging. Leaflet drops, posters and some DLTC-run events have provided the club with a membership and coaching base on which we will continue to build. And we’d love you, your families and friends to join us!
Who are we?
The 2018 DLTC Committee is made up of:
Debs Davidson (President)
Elaine Stevenson (Secretary)
Donna Duncan (Treasurer)
Lynn Arbuckle
Ann McEachern
Jane McMillan
Stephen Whitelaw.
Our 2018 coaches are Grant Shearer (Level 3) and Kameron Maxwell (Level 2). The coaches have done a great job this season, covering all strokes, serving and even some fun cardio-tennis to get us all moving better around the court.
We currently have the following memberships: 12 family, 5 junior, 1 adult, 1 student and 1 lifetime and another 10 coaching only members, which we would love to build upon. Our aim is to create a vibrant local, social tennis community for all ages and abilities.
The previous DLTC Committee did a great job of raising funds and organising the resurfacing of our courts, so we are keen to proactively manage their upkeep, maintaining them in mint condition. However, to achieve that year in and out, we need funds.
In 2018 we have had sufficient interest in coaching to run the following programmes (all on a Tuesday evening from 4.45pm onwards):
· Minis (age 4 to 8 years)- this was new for Block 3
· Junior (over 8 to 11 years)
· Intermediate (11 plus)
· Adult (mostly relative beginners and very social!)
What have we been doing?
So far this year DLTC has:
launched the season earlier than usual, kicking off our junior and adult coaching programmes following the Easter break. We’ve also extended coaching to run a third block into mid-September (while the light still allows). This has given everyone more opportunity to practise and have fun playing together. As a result of the extended season, it’s been pleasing to see real progress being made by those being coached. Given the positive feedback, we plan to adopt a similar format in 2019
run a number of events in the Dullatur Village Hall. These include a June Pizza Party, August Finals Day and upcoming Halloween Family Fancy Dress Party (to be held on Saturday 27 October). DLTC events are open to all. So, whether you are an existing member, thinking about getting involved to try something new locally or just keen to socialise with friends and neighbours, you are very welcome to come along
raised over £400 for a local charity, through a Christmas Eve fundraiser and Dullatur generosity. Some of the kids being coached visited the Craigalbert Centre in Spring to present the cheque and it was lovely to see and hear for ourselves more about the great work of the staff and volunteers
made a modest profit which we plan to invest in new nets and balls for the 2019 season.
We would like to thank all of our members, participants in the coaching, parents and friends who have supported DLTC, our programmes and events this season. We could not do any of it without your involvement and contribution.
How can you join or find out more about DLTC membership, coaching and events?
You can find out more about what we are up to and how you, your family and friends can get involved, in a number of ways, including:
visiting the DCC website and clicking through to DLTC’s page
visiting the DLTC Facebook page
by email at dullaturtennis@gmail.com
keeping your eyes peeled for posters on the Dullatur Village Hall notice board or a leaflet through your door (pre-2019 season launch).
speaking to any of the DLTC Committee members or DCC Community Councillors who can put you in touch with us.
What next?
The Committee is now looking ahead to plan for our Halloween and Christmas events and the 2019 season (which will launch after Easter 2019).
The main aims for 2019 are to:
grow the membership and coaching programmes; and
get some adult social tennis going, at least one evening per week.
We hope some of you can join us at the Halloween Party on 27 October and with the help of the community, we very much look forward to expanding DLTC in 2019. Go on, get involved!
The DLTC Committee
September 2018
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