Sydenham Tennis Club

Family Fun Day – Sunday 5 May 2024
Join fellow members for an afternoon of food and fun! Courts 1 & 2 will be converted into our own version of a street party with seating available and mini court games to play. The bar will be open for refreshments, and we’ll ask everyone to bring an item of food to share. The event will run from 1.00-5.00pm. Family and friends are welcome. I’ll send out a booking link next week so that we know numbers.

David Roberts 
Very sad news this week that David, who was the ‘Father of the Club’, the oldest active member still playing racketball and tennis aged 82, passed away on 19 April after a brief illness.
Apart from playing for many years, he gave a lot to the racketball section, organising the internal leagues and playing in new members, including me. I have fond memories of his highly analytical assessment of members’ playing handicaps with detailed reasoning for any changes to be made! David will be much missed.
I should have information regarding funeral arrangements in due course, but please feel free to contact me for details. We will schedule a get together in the bar in the near future for those who would like to share memories. 

Club Manager Hours
I will be available at the Club the following hours between 27 April – 3 May: Sunday from 0900-1500, Monday 0900-1500, Thursday 0600-1030 & 1800-2100, and Friday 1200-2100. During these times you can obtain drinks & snacks from the bar, as well as balls & accessories, and hire the Slinger ball machine.

Dez Lewington
Club Manager
Contact – dez.lewington@sltcc.co.uk

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BR3WERY Draft Beer Launch – RESCHEDULED
Unfortunately, the launch of our draft beer offering from BR3WERY in Beckenham has to be postponed until Friday 3 May 2024. A couple of technical issues have come to light during the installation that cannot be resolved by this weekend.
The launch will now take place from 6.00-9.30pm on Friday 3 May, and we’ll still be offering a beer & cheese flight for £10 – three 1/3 pint tasters with cheese & cracker ‘tapas’ to compliment each beer.

Club Teams 
Many thanks to all members who played in teams over the Winter season. And congratulations to the Mixed team, who won Kent Division 3 and were promoted to Division 2, and to the Women’s 2nd team, who were promoted to North Kent Division 2.
The Summer season has now started and we are always on the look out for players. Please contact me if you are interested. We will be holding a trials session during the summer.

Club Manager Hours
I will be available at the Club on Saturday 20 April from 0800-1700, and then on leave for the week. Remember that the bar is open Monday to Thursday from 7.00-10.00pm and Friday 6.00-9.00pm.

Dez Lewington
Club Manager
Contact – dez.lewington@sltcc.co.uk

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Annual Club Tournaments 
Remember that entry closes on Thursday 18 April for this year’s annual Club squash and tennis tournaments, which will run over the summer. Finals Day for both is on Saturday 21 September 2024 –you must be available for Finals Day to enter.
There is an Open Squash singles, plus the following tennis events: Men’s Open singles & doubles, Women’s Open singles & doubles, Open Mixed doubles, Men’s 40 & over singles, Women’s 45 & over singles, Men’s 55 & over singles, 60 & over Mixed doubles, plus the Roger De Klerk memorial Mixed doubles trophy for Wednesday evening club players, plus a Plate competition in all squash and tennis Open singles events for players who lose their first scheduled match.
Entry is free, but members can only play in a maximum of 4 events. You will find full tournament rules in the Members area of the website, the clubhouse foyer, and squash court corridor. Entry forms were sent directly to all members, but ask if you need a link.

Family Fun Day – Sunday 5 May 2024
Join fellow members for an afternoon of food and fun! Courts 1 & 2 will be converted into our own version of a street party with seating available and mini court games to play. The bar will be open for refreshments, and we’ll ask everyone to bring an item of food to share. The event will run from 1.00-5.00pm. Family and friends are welcome.

Peter Lewis
Congratulations longstanding Club stalwart Peter Lewis, who celebrates 50 years as a Club member this month. Peter was Club Chair on three occasions, totalling over 16 years in office. The Club sends our best wishes and hopes for many more years to come.

Club Manager Hours
I will be available at the Club the following hours between 13-19 April: Saturday from 0900-1500, Sunday 0900-1500, Monday 0900-1500, and Friday 1200-2100. During these times you can obtain drinks & snacks from the bar, as well as balls & accessories, and hire the Slinger ball machine.

Dez Lewington
Club Manager
Contact – dez.lewington@sltcc.co.uk

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Come to the Club and enjoy the following events…

Pizza & Pro Shop Night – Friday 12 April 2024
Friday night is pizza night! Tanio will be setting up their pop-up pizza tent adjacent to tennis court 1 from 6.00-9.00pm. The bar will be open for refreshments. Table tennis will be available in the clubhouse. Why not book a court, grab a drink in the bar, and order your pizza? You’ll find Tanio’s exciting new April menu here.
Plus, the new Club Pro Shop will be open in the clubhouse with squash & tennis racket stringing now available on site. Grip enlargement and fitting available, and we have a few rackets for sale too. Opening night offer – 20% off all racket stringing.

Play Your Way To Wimbledon Tournament – Saturday 13 April 2024
There are 16 pairs competing between 10.30-3.30pm. Winners go forward to a regional event with the chance to qualify for the Finals at the All England Club! The bar will be open for refreshments throughout so why not come and watch.

BR3WERY Draft Beer Weekend – 19 & 20 April 2024
To mark the launch of our draft beer offering, BR3WERY from Beckenham will be supplying their Pilsner Lager (4.4%), popular Xtra Pale Ale (4.0%), and Hun Stout (4.0%). The bar will be open 6.00-9.00pm on Friday and 11.00-5.00pm on Saturday.
During these hours, we’ll be offering a beer & cheese flight for £10 – three 1/3 pint tasters with a plate of cheese & cracker ‘tapas’ to compliment each beer. Please order in advance to guarantee! 

Please contact me for more information on any of the above.

Dez Lewington
Club Manager
Contact – dez.lewington@sltcc.co.uk 

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Pizza Night – Friday 12 April 2024
Friday night is pizza night! Tanio will be setting up their pop-up pizza tent again adjacent to tennis court 1 from 6.00-9.00pm to coincide with the launch of our draft beer range from BR3WERY. Table tennis available in the clubhouse from 6.00pm.
BR3WERY will be supplying their Pilsner Lager (4.4%) and popular XPA (4.0%). Why not book a court, grab a drink in the bar, and order your pizza? You’ll find Tanio’s exciting new April menu here.

Table Tennis
You may have noticed there is now an outdoor table tennis table adjacent the practice wall. This is available for all members to play. Please DO NOT try to move the table or close it up.
There will be a small box of equipment in the clubhouse foyer, but please make sure you return after use. The table was kindly donated by Club member James Needham.

Club Manager Hours
I will be available at the Club the following hours between 6-12 April: Saturday from 0900-1500, Sunday 0900-1500, Monday 0900-1500, and Friday 1200-2100. During these times you can obtain drinks & snacks from the bar, as well as balls & accessories, and hire the Slinger ball machine.

Dez Lewington
Club Manager
Contact – dez.lewington@sltcc.co.uk

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Annual Club Tournament
Entry is now open for the annual Club tournaments, which will run over the summer. Squash and tennis tournaments will again run alongside each other this year with Finals Day for both on Saturday 21 September 2024.
There will be an Open Squash singles, plus the following tennis draws: Men’s Open singles & doubles, Women’s Open singles & doubles, Open Mixed doubles, Men’s 40 & over singles, Women’s 45 & over singles, Men’s 55 & over singles, 60 & over Mixed doubles, plus the Roger De Klerk memorial mixed doubles trophy for Wednesday evening club players.
Again, there will be a Plate competition in all squash and tennis Open singles events for players who lose their first scheduled match. Hopefully, this will encourage even more of you to enter!
Entry is free, but members can only play in a maximum of 4 events and you MUST be available to play on Finals Day to enter. You will find full tournament rules in the Members area of the website, the clubhouse foyer, and squash court corridor.

Tennis Rungs ladders
A reminder that we currently operate several ladders for members to find competition. It’s a great opportunity to meet other members and find new people to play. The current ladders available are for squash, tennis singles, doubles (any pairing), and off-peak singles.
If you have previously played in any ladder and dropped out temporarily, remember that you have to ask me to reinstate you in the ladder at your previous position. There are a lot of players on pause at the moment so get playing!
Also, two new ladders are being introduced: an Improvers mixed singles for anyone who is eligible for Wednesday evening club play; and a Women’s only singles. You can still participate in the other ladders if you enter one of these.

Play Your Way To Wimbledon – Saturday 13 April 2024
Final call for anyone wanting to play in this year’s ‘Play Your Way To Wimbledon’ tournament. There is a Men’s & Women’s doubles competition in a short set format. Entry is open to anyone 19+ years (born before 2005) and with a World Tennis Number (WTN) between 23.0-40.9. Entry fee – £15 per pair.

Please contact me for more information on any of the above.

Dez Lewington
Club Manager
Contact – dez.lewington@sltcc.co.uk 

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Easter Closures
Remember that the clubhouse will be fully closed from Monday 1 – Saturday 6 April whilst important electrical work is carried out. You will still be able to access the foyer for courts 1&2 floodlighting if required, although this may have some reduced availability depending on the progress of the works.
And tennis courts 1&2, and the practice wall, will be closed for pressure cleaning on Wednesday 3 April. The courts will be available from 6pm for club play.

Eco/Sustainability matters 
Despite a very low turnout for the meeting last week, several points were raised about what we are already doing in terms of sustainability and, more importantly, where we have opportunities to develop further projects.
We are drafting a Club Environmental Sustainability Action Plan to get things moving, which will be circulated in the near future, and we are still looking for volunteers to get involved with various projects, so please contact me if you would like more information.

Club Manager Hours
I will be available at the Club the following hours between 29 March – 5 April: Good Friday from 0900-1500, Saturday 0900-1500, Sunday 0900-1200, Tuesday 0900-1500, Wednesday 0900-1500, and Friday 0900-1500. During these times you can obtain drinks & snacks from the bar, as well as balls & accessories, and hire the Slinger ball machine.

Dez Lewington
Club Manager
Contact – dez.lewington@sltcc.co.uk

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Easter Information
The clubhouse will be open as follows over the Easter weekend: Good Friday from 0900-1500, Saturday 0900-1500, Easter Sunday 0900-1200, but closed on Easter Monday. Club play sessions will run as usual on Easter Sunday.
From Tuesday 2nd – Saturday 6th April, the clubhouse will be fully closed whilst important electrical work is carried out. However, you will still be able to access the foyer for the floodlighting if required. Over this period, I’ll be on site Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday between 0900-1500. Please ring the clubhouse doorbell if you need anything during these hours.
Tennis court 1&2 had chemical treatment this week to kill the moss and weeds. This will be followed on Wednesday 3 April with pressure cleaning. Therefore, the courts will be unavailable until 6pm that day.

Kent Tennis Inter-Club Final – Saturday 23 March 2024 
The Club Mixed Doubles team won Kent Division 3A over the Winter season that has recently finished. This means that they have a play-off Final against Sevenoaks 2 for the league title.
Fortunately, we have a home draw so please feel free to come along and support. The match starts at 10.30am on courts 6 & 7.

Club Manager Hours
I will be available at the Club the following hours between 23 – 29 March: Saturday from 0900-1500, Sunday 0900-1200, Monday 0900-1500, Tuesday 1500-2100, and Friday 0900-1500. During these times you can obtain drinks & snacks from the bar, as well as balls & accessories, and hire the Slinger ball machine.

Please note that the bar is open Monday to Thursday from 7.00-10.00pm, and Friday 4.00-9.00pm.

Dez Lewington
Club Manager
Contact – dez.lewington@sltcc.co.uk

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Environmental Sustainability Meeting – Friday 22 March 2024
A reminder about the open meeting for all members to discuss ideas around eco/sustainability – meeting starts at 7.30pm in the clubhouse. The objective is to determine interest in a working group to push forward these matters. Please contact me for more information. 
Several points around this issue were raised at the Club AGM last year. The LTA are also driving an Environmental Sustainability Plan for tennis – you will find details here.

Bar & Six Nations Rugby
The Ireland v Scotland Six Nations rugby match will be shown in the bar on Saturday prior to the St Patrick’s event. Kick off at 4.45pm – the bar will be open for drinks and snacks, including the new NITROSURGE Guinness.

Mike Dewar
Some of you may already know that Club Coach Mike is leaving London for new adventures in Poland at the end of the summer. Don’t panic, Toby will be back by then! He is renting out his 2 bed flat in Sydenham, which is just 3 minutes walk from the Club.
If you know of anyone interested in moving into the area, please contact Mike directly at dewarmike22@hotmail.com. You will find more details here – please note that the rental will not be through Airbnb – £1900pcm with no agency fees.

Club Manager Hours
I will be available at the Club the following hours between 16 – 22 March: Saturday from 1030-1800, Sunday 0900-1200, Monday 0900-1500, and Friday 1200-2100. During these times you can obtain drinks & snacks from the bar, as well as balls & accessories, and hire the Slinger ball machine.

Please note that the bar is open Monday to Thursday from 7.00-10.00pm, and Friday 4.00-9.00pm.

Dez Lewington
Club Manager
Contact – dez.lewington@sltcc.co.uk

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Annual Club Tournament
A date for your diary is Saturday 21 September 2024. This is Club Finals Day this year for the annual squash and tennis championships. There will be the usual main events: Men’s & Women’s Singles; Men’s, Women’s & Mixed Doubles in tennis, an Open Singles in squash, plus various age-related and supporting tournaments.
The full list of events and entry forms will go out towards the end of March with events commencing in late April. Remember that ALL members are entitled to participate as long as they meet the qualification criteria.

Junior Team Challenge Tournament – Saturday 30 March 2024
We are joining the LTAs junior tournaments this year. The first will take place Easter weekend. All junior members aged 4-17 years are encouraged to take part – there are badges, gifts and medals on offer!
The format is a team event – most likely two players in each team. However, we are just asking for an expression of interest at the moment. Depending on numbers, there will be tournaments for different age groups, If you are interested, please email me to confirm – you do not need a partner at the moment. 

Play Your Way To Wimbledon – Saturday 13 April 2024
There are still places left in this year’s ‘Play Your Way To Wimbledon’ tournament. The event will take place all on one day from 10.30-3.30pm.
There is a Men’s & Women’s doubles competition in a short set format. Entry is open to anyone 19+ years (born before 2005) and with a World Tennis Number (WTN) between 23.0-40.9. Winners go forward to a regional event with the chance to qualify for the Finals at the All England Club!
Please contact me if you want to enter, or if you have any queries about your WTN. Entry fee – £15 per pair. 

Dez Lewington
Club Manager
Contact – dez.lewington@sltcc.co.uk 

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