Albany Lawn Tennis Club
We are a friendly tennis club with over 300 members aged from 4 to 85. Albany is a unique tennis club on the Isle of Man proudly boasting privately-owned floodlit courts and facilities, as well as an indoor court ensuring play is possible in all weathers and seasons. We offer opportunities for social play, a great coaching team, men’s, ladies’ and mixed League tennis, and a tournament programme for all. New members are always warmly welcomed. Come along and visit us any time, meet our friendly club members and see our excellent facilities. We operate a ‘try before you buy’ policy so you may visit three times with a member before having to commit to join the club. Click buttons below for LEAGUE INFORMATION and UPCOMING EVENTS.
Messages from our Social Facebook Group
ALBANY TENNIS NEWS
by Pat Sharp - 20 February 2019
Members are reminded that memberships fall due for renewal on 31 March 2019. Renewal forms will be left in the clubhouse for you to collect and thereby save the club a lot of postage cost. When completed you can leave the form with payment in the white post box. If you do a bank transfer PLEASE complete the form and return to Jan Gaskill, our hardworking membership secretary. Quite often there is a bank-transfer but she has no contact information.
Will members taking a guest to the club to play please put the guests name on the list – this is a club rule and is necessary for them to be covered by our insurance.
Your committee will be holding it’s next meeting in March – if you have any subject you wish to have discussed please contact the Chairman, David Long and it will be added to the agenda. We will be planning future events competitions, club development etc.
We have several juniors away during half-term playing in UK events. Hopefully I will have their results for next week.
Tomorrow (Friday) is one of our annual big fund-raisers- A Night at the Races– without them your fees would be higher as maintaining club facilities is not cheap. “Thank you” to all those who have sponsored races, owners, trainers and jockeys and all who will be there I hope you have a great time. Supper will be at 7pm so please be on time.
Junior club coaching re-starts next week – check the details on the club’s very informative website and facebook. Also to enter the Nedgroup Junior tournament – 2 – 6 March - you have to do so on-line – no entry forms anymore. The link is www.3.lta.org.uk/Competions/competition/ ….
To enter any event you have to have a BTM number – this is free and the link is: www.lta.org.uk/member
3.lta.org.uk
Had to go to Douglas so called in to see if renewal forms were there but they weren't. Any idea as to when they will be?
I looked at this this morning and there was a comment from a member respnding tothis post, so as I had to go out, I thought I would reply upon my return. I now log in and see that the comment isn't there. Does anyone know what happened to it? The gist of it was that it was disappointing once more to read re membership renewal on an open forum before members are informed via emai etc. I was led to believe that social media was not the method the club wished to go down. To say I am bamboozled is an understatement. As an aside, I note the reminder re visitors being booked in [something I have mentioned a few times] but what about mentioning the fee and the number of times visitors are allowed to play; we know this has been abused a jumber of times.
“At some point in your coaching career you may experience or witness dishonest or unethical behaviours, health and safety breaches, a safeguarding issue, harassment bullying or other forms of wrongdoing. The LTA are committed to reducing any unethical practices – You can help us in ensuring that tennis remains a safe environment by reporting any suspicions or malpractices. The LTA has set up an independent, confidential and if required anonymous reporting service, Safecall: 0800 915 1571, available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year or report online: www.safecall.co.uk/report. Please help us keep tennis safe”
ALBANY TENNIS NEWS - 16 February 2019
by Pat Sharp
Final reminder to all Albany members - A Night at the Races at the Club this Friday 22 February. I need any remaining Race sheets, with money returned to me by Wednesday at the very latest and Kirsten needs supper numbers by Wednesday evening. Contact her by e-mail kirstenolsen123@gmail.com
Charlotte Clarke – IOMLTA Young Player for 2018 and Ian Watson is the IOMLTA Coach of 2018. They received their prizes at the club last week and now represent the Isle of Man in the Regional finals later this month. Our Club Captain, Jackie Russell also received an award as 2018 Volunteer of the Year.
There will be no coaching during half-term and will re-start when our juniors are back at school. However that doesn’t stop juniors having a game provided they have an adult to supervise their safety.
Albany junior tennis squads will not be running from Thursday 14th February - 25th February.
First sessions back are on Tuesday 26th February. Have a great half term!
Albany/Nedgroup Open Junior Tennis Competition 2nd- 6th March 2019
Dear junior players/parents
The Nedgroup Open Junior tennis competition is just a few weeks away.
It would be great to see you taking part in the competition – the first of 2019!
If you would like to have a go then please note – you must enter online!
I cannot accept entries by emails, texts, paper entries, word of mouth or any pleading to enter after the deadline anymore!
The LTA have announced that all grade3 & 4 competitions must be on-line entries only!!
So if you wish to enter you will have to have a British Tennis Membership (BTM) – free to all club members. It just takes a few minutes online to get it done!
I have even got the link for you
www.lta.org.uk/member/
Once you have registered you will receive a BTM number.
Then log on to ’LTA find a competition’
And here is the link to that too!
www3.lta.org.uk/Competitions/Competition/?ctn=1-IB8R6PJ
I am away from the 14th – 25th so no squads are running till Tuesday 26th February
Have a great Half Term!
Best wishes
Ian
BRITISH TENNIS AWARDS 2018 – ISLE OF MAN COUNTY WINNERS
Congratulations to Charlotte Clarke – Young Person of the Year, Ian Watson – Coach of the Year and Jackie Russell – Volunteer of the Year, all nominated and winners in the County British Tennis Awards 2018.
Charlotte and Ian now go on to the Regional Awards – we wish them the best of luck.
Here are the winners, alongside the Club Members who nominated them for the Awards, and a few of the words that were said about Charlotte and Ian:
“Charlotte has made a significant impact on tennis on the Isle of Man in the past 12 months.
Her successes on court have attracted a good amount of media attention during the year. This was at its peak when she won the Road to Wimbledon event at the All England Club during the summer 2018.”
“There is never a moment on court when Ian isn’t giving it his all, putting all his energy into whoever he is coaching, whether it is an individual lesson or a session with 15 other people. He makes sure everyone has learnt something and comes off court feeling like they have achieved something.”
Well done to all! Jackie is so heavily involved in the tennis club and has been such a valuable committee member over the years. She always gives so much of herself without any expectation of anything in return. She has been my doubles partner for a number of years and we never have a dull moment on court. You’re a formidable force Jackie! Thank you for all that you do xxx
Well done Charlotte xx
Well done everyone!😍
Ian Watson
Well done every one. All well deserved achievements. Jan
Well done everyone, very well deserved 😀
Congratulations everyone! :)
James Clarke
Fantastic well done everyone!!! This seems like the perfect opportunity for me to say thank you to your club and coaches. My 7 year old son has recently joined Albany Tennis club and Ian has been fabulous with him, along with Gareth. We have been made to feel very welcome and George has had wonderful coaching and support. The result is that my usually shy, nervous of trying new things son is absolutely loving tennis, has grown in confidence (in only 5 sessions!) and reminds me in the morning when it’s a tennis day! Thank you 🎾
ALBANY TENNIS NEWS
by Pat Sharp (6 February 2019)
The presentation of Isle of Man County British Tennis Awards to Charlotte Clarke (Young Player of the Year) Ian Watson (Coach of the Year) and Jackie Russell (Volunteer of the Year) is scheduled for this Saturday at 2pm at the club. The three nominations have now gone forward to the Regional section – fingers crossed we get a winner there as well. They deserve it.
The new Albany Auxesia shirts in all junior sizes from age 5 to 13, are available for purchase for just £10. I will have them displayed on Saturday at the Mini Tennis Red sessions. Older juniors can contact me on 861497 or e-mail albanytennispr@manx.net and I’ll arrange for them to be available.
Only two weeks to our annual Night at the Races and I’m hoping all members who have a Race sheet will return it to me BEFORE the night so that we are able to set up all prize money in advance. Supper orders need to be with Kirsten by 20th please.
Club Captain, Jackie Russell needs to know how many members are interested in playing in the IOMLTA Men’s or Women’s leagues, so that she can decide how many teams Albany enters. If you want to play,please contact her by e-mail captain@albanyltc.co.uk
WK DALE CUP presented 28 November 2018
The WK Dale Cup was donated to the Club by Ken Dale in 1966, when he was Treasurer, with the purpose of rewarding annually, the Club member who the Committee thought had put in hard work on behalf of the Club, both on and off court. Ken realised that in developing the Ballaughton site, members would be busy for many years off court, whilst still taking part on court.
At the end of last year, the Cup was presented to Clare Skelcher. Clare has worked hard for the Club over the last 8 years, as a Committee member and Welfare Officer. She has managed this alongside her family responsibilities and a full time job! She has always helped out when she can, and has been a great ambassador of the Club, particularly at Club Sessions. She has helped out in working parties countless times and has been a stalwart league team member. She has been a Quiz Night winner (on more than one occasion) and a Quiz organiser, as well as an interior designer. Clare has been a really valuable Committee member – always the voice of reason in meetings and always making sure that discussions are centred around the best interests of the members. Furthermore, Clare agreed to take on the Child Protection (now Welfare) Officer role, when the LTA insisted the Club had someone in the role. Many congratulations go to Clare!
Well done
Wow well done Clare Skelcher xx
Well done Clare :) x
Well deserved Clare xx
Well deserved Clare Skelcher! Thank you for all your help over the years xxx
Well done Clare Skelcher! 🏆
Amazing Clare! Well done and clearly well deserved 🥰 xx
Albany News - 29 January 2019
by Pat Sharp
Albany’s Friday Morning Ladies held their AGM last Friday and reported another successful year. 16 members attended and volunteers were sort to run their various events for 2019. They have planned nine special days some of which will be fund raisers for charity. In 2018 they raised £395 shared between five different charities. Some events this year will just be for fun and all Albany female members are welcome to join them each Friday between 10am and 12noon. They have full use of the indoor court for that time so don’t be put off by the weather. There are always coffee breaks and often homemade cakes to sample. The first event of this year will be, after tennis on 15 February, lunch in Ramsey and tenpin bowling.
Congratulations to our club Coach, Ian Watson who has been nominated in the 2018 British Tennis Awards as Coach of the Year. Also nominated is Charlotte Clarke as the 2018 Young Person of the Year. Winning the Girls Road to Wimbledon event last year was such a great achievement for her and Ian as her coach. They now go forward to the Regional Awards selection. Also nominated is our Club Captain Jackie Russell as 2018 Volunteer of the Year. A presentation will be made to them at the Club on Saturday 9 February at 2pm.
The next club event is the big one – Race Night – and we would like all members and friends who intend joining us to contact kirstenolsen123@gmail.com to order their supper. Entry fee, fish & chips plus soft drink/tea or coffee is £10 and sausage & chips etc is £8. Start time from 7pm with the first race at 7.30pm. Race sheets are already in circulation with some members but if anyone wishes to have a sheet and find sponsors for owners (£5), trainers(£3) or jockeys (£2) please contact me on albanytennispr@manx.net .Winners on each race win four times their stake. The whole evening is co-ordinated by John Morrison of Morrison Photos Ltd and great fun. There will also be a raffle. The committee look forward to seeing you.
The club’s committee have various ideas for adding to the current facilities but these will obviously need funding. If any member has an idea for a new event or is willing to assist us, please let a committee member know. Maybe our juniors can run an event. In the early 1990s when we were planning the indoor court, the then juniors did various things – sponsored walk, 24hr tennis, raffles and tournaments, measure the speed of your serve – and raised £8,000!!!. Maybe the current juniors would like to organise a Senior Mini Tennis competition. Any ideas let me know and I’ll bring it up at the next committee meeting.
The club's Annual General Meeting was held at the club on Wednesday 28 November at 6.30pm.
The meeting presented the 2017/8 statutory accounts, which were adopted, and the membership and indoor court fees for 2019/20 were agreed. David Long was voted in as the club's new Chairman, and we wish him well. David will take up the info@albanyltc.co.uk e-mail address.
Recycling Initiative
Wear it Pink Day 2018
Road To Wimbledon 2018
Congratulations to all the players who entered this year's Road to Wimbledon event. On the 15th July, 8 boys and 8 girls competed in the Isle of Man County section of this competition. The winners, Rich Mirski and Charlotte Clarke, qualified to play at Wimbledon against the other county champions. The runners up, Jayden Go and Sarah Long, also got to go to Wimbledon for some special coaching sessions.During the week of 13th August, the County champions played in round robin and knock-out matches at Wimbledon. An Isle of Man player has never progressed from the group stage before, but this year both Roch and Charlotte did and both got all the way to the semi-finals!! Charlotte even went on to win the girls' tournament altogether. This is an extraordinary achievement by both players, whose hard work and dedication should be commended, together with that of their parents and of their coach, Ian Watson. Congratulations to all of you!
Photos from Road to Wimbledon 2018
Charlotte's Tournament winning point!
Outdoor Courts
The planned repainting of the outdoor courts, that was due to commence on 13th August, has been postponed. Given the need for good weather coupled with the availability of the contractors, this is now likely to take place in early summer/late spring in 2019. In the meantime, we thank you for your help in keeping the courts clear of leaves and pine needles as much as possible. It is the degradation of these things that is primarily responsible for the levels of algae we experience on the courts. Following cleaning this year, all courts are currently in good shape; the planned painting is a cosmetic improvement more than a necessity at the moment.A Glimpse at Our History
Here are the videos shown on the night of the '50 Years at Ballaughton' Celebration Dinner held in September 2016, which shows the timeline of Albany's development over the past 50 years.
All these sessions are a great way to play some tennis and meet friends, and are open to senior members and nominated juniors. Join in our fun and friendly social sessions held each week on:
OPEN TO ALL
- Sundays 10:00am to 12:00pm
- Tuesdays 7:00pm to 9:30pm
- Wednesdays 10:30am to 12:30pm
