Grainville Tennis Club

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Grainville Tennis Club Junior Report 2009

This year has been very busy and successful for our juniors. This is due in no small part to the tremendous hard work done by our Head Coach, Joe Keany. The number of junior members has increased from 115 last year to 125 this year. We now have over 30 family memberships in the Club.

Tuesday and Friday afternoon Club sessions have been slightly busier than last year with up to 20 children attending. Teenage leaders have been paid to supervise and organise games on court and a tuck shop serving bacon rolls etc. has been run by Judith Keany and parents to cover this cost. We have extended the season to the end of November now that we have floodlights on 3 courts.

The Open Novice Singles Tournament was held in May attracting a record 68 entries and 28 entries for doubles in June. There were no less than 26 boys in the U11 boys which was pretty hectic. Many positive comments were received from children and parents of other clubs and approximately £600 was raised for the Club from entry fees and sale of refreshments. Junior fund raising has contributed towards the purchase of a superb outdoor table tennis table, the new corner sofa and a dishwasher.

Joe and Tristan ran the Club Junior Closed Tournament during the first week of the school summer holidays. A barbecue on Finals day was enjoyed by the children and their families.

Other social events have been held including Christmas party, bowling, pizza nights and a Family Fun afternoon.

Joe has taken the children to the UK and Guernsey and organised a training session with Heather Watson from Guernsey who went on to win the US Junior Open. Photos can be viewed on the Club’s website. Joe has just returned after 6 nights with 14 juniors from a UK tournament which has given them valuable experience and given Joe a few more grey hairs, no doubt!

Our Grainville Junior Tennis Academy has been sponsored by JP Morgan for the third year running and our excellent coaching team have produced some outstanding results. This year’s Club Senior Closed singles titles were won by 2 juniors, Daniel Harrison and Nicole Moir. Other very promising juniors are Aaron Elliott, aged 9 and Aidan Varela, aged 8.

I would like to thank the junior committee and parents for all the time and effort they have put into running events this year, particularly on the catering side. Judith Keany has been a valuable presence in the Clubhouse at junior sessions keeping things tidy and safe and providing a warm welcome to both children and parents. Sue Le Moine is standing down from the committee and a special thank you to her also.

In the coming year, with 3 other parents joining myself on the main committee, I look forward to lots more tennis and fun within the friendly family atmosphere which I believe already exists at the Club.

Pam Warr

Junior Committee 2009: Donna Ayres, Hazel Derrien, Joe Keany, Judith Keany, Sue Le Moine, Allyson Sinel,

Rosie Stock, Joan Streets, Pam Warr (Chair)