- MCS Tennis Club Newsletter
- Posts
- MCS Autumn Newsletter
MCS Autumn Newsletter
Bumper newsletter after a bit of a break: Coaching, Finals Day, AGM & Festive Games Night
📆 Save the Date
MCS Annual General Meeting Tuesday 11th November 7.00 pm, Mathon Village Hall
Mary and Geoff’s Games Night Friday 5th December 6.30 -7.00pm, Mathon Village Hall
American Tournament Sunday 28th December 10.00 am start at MCS
💼 AGM
Please come along to Mathon Village Hall as we review this year and look forward to next. Enjoy fish and chips (pre-order info to follow on WhatsApp or email), BYO or buy from our selection of beer and wine.
If you would like to raise any subjects for the committee or wish to help on the committee in any way, please let us know.
Sheila is stepping down as Grounds officer, so there is a vacancy. If anyone wishes to put themselves for any position, please don’t be shy. Sheila has done a sterling job for the last 5 years, and the creation of the wildflower meadow will remind us of her hard work. Thank you Sheila 🙏
The present holders of the positions on the committee are shown below:
Chair: Peter Spargo
Vice Chair & Coaching: Ali Walford
Secretary: Alice Eden
Treasurer: Tony Poynor
Honorary Auditor: Nigel Mumford
Membership secretary: Pat Pugh
Welfare: Anne Spargo
Comms: Sue McAleer
Ladies Captain: Helen Galassini
Mens Captain: Steve Meredith
Mixed Captain: Ali Walford
There will be a form in the clubhouse for members to fill in, or you can email [email protected] or [email protected] to nominate, propose or second any members who would like to stand for any of the above posts.
🤓 Festive Games Night
Mary and Geoff invite you to a lively evening of quizzing, games and festive cheer. It’s not what you know, it’s the way that you do it! Come along and bring your friends for plenty of fun, laughter and a chance to get into the Christmas Spirit.
Tickets (going on sale soon) will be £10 per person to include a bowl of soup, bread and a piece of cake. Either BYO or we will have beer and wine available to buy on the evening. Naturally, there will be a raffle, so if anyone has any prizes to donate, please do let anyone on the committee know. All contributions gratefully received.
🚶🏻♂️ Walking Tennis
Walking Tennis has begun after a successful taster day, allowing possible members and existing members to try a new tennis-linked sport. Welcome to our new walking tennis members who have subsequently joined MCS. Sessions are on Friday mornings 10.30-12.00 at MCS. Please come along if you want to give it a try, or bring guests who are interested. Thanks to Helen for all your hard work introducing walking tennis to the club.
🏆 Finals Day
Results
Ladies Singles Champion: Helen Galassini / Runner Up: Alison Walford
Men’s Singles Champion: Emil Meager / Runner Up: Ben Meredith
Ladies Doubles Champions: Sue McAleer & Alison Walford / Runners Up: Sue Anderson & Bella Bardswell
Mixed Doubles Champions: Helen Galassini & Luke Meredith / Runners Up: Alison Walford & Emil Meager
Photos of the day (huge thanks to Chris!)
Report
The biggest day of the year at MCS (Finals Day!) dawned sunny & bright. The club and surrounds looked a picture and everyone arrived in a positive mood for the day ahead.
Much planning went into making the day as enjoyable and smooth running as possible, but we forgot to arrange for a dry day! The rain played havoc with the schedule and some of the matches, but amazingly, all of the finals were played to a finish, albeit that the day ended a few hours later than in past years. The event couldn’t have happened without the help of many of the members, before the day and during the day. There are too many to mention by name, but the roles they undertook included umpiring, barbecuing, car-park attending, gazebo constructing (+ thanks to those who lent the gazebos to the club), photographing, shopping for all the food, drink, provisions needed, etc!
One name it is worth mentioning is the Master of Ceremonies – Jackie Styles. After everything Jackie has been through in the past couple of years, it was fantastic to see her at Finals Day presenting all of the trophies… and telling us some tales of tennis of yesteryear!
Of course, the spectators also need a mention. It was a tough day to be a spectator, and thank goodness for those gazebos! Tasty burgers and hot drinks were the order of the day, although glasses of Pimm’s, wine and beer were also consumed in increasing quantity as the day wore on. Thank you to everyone who came to support Finals Day, and you’ll be glad to know that we’ve got sunshine on order for 2026.
And, of course, thank you also to the players who played on Finals Day and, equally importantly, thank you to those who entered the various tournaments back in May. The players on Finals Day had to cope with wet courts, rainy conditions and delays, but all took these minor inconveniences in their stride. The matches themselves were very keenly contested, with both singles finals going to three sets, making for enthralling viewing. Several players were involved in more than one final, so players’ fitness was tested as well as their tennis skills. All the matches were played in a competitive spirit with a sporting attitude, and 100% effort was exhibited by all players throughout every final.
🇺🇸 American Tournament
The American Tournament held on the October 26th . Winners of the trophies from this morning’s American tournament! A perfect number (12) played in lovely, sunny but slightly chilly conditions. Thanks to Pat & Sheila for organising & to the bringers of goodies.
🎾 New Season
The new season of LTA Winter Leagues has just begun with a few matches being played . We wish all our teams the best of luck.
If you would be interested in playing for the club in league matches but not sure how to go about it, then please email Helen or Steve. They will be very keen to hear from you!
🎓 Coaching
After saying a final goodbye and thank you to Kingsley for all his coaching over the last year (see photo below) we have welcomed new coaches Sarah McCormick and George to the club.
Junior, Cardio tennis, Rusty/Improver and Team/Intermediate/Advance group coaching available, as well as private lessons.
So everyone is catered for please check the website or ask [email protected].
Picture of Kingsley with his personalised socks!
🧽 Working Party
The working party - we got heaps done! Vegetation, including some major tree roots and bushes - chainsaws were needed - was cleared from around the courts. They were starting to encroach on and damage the courts. The clubhouse received a good clean and the toilet a fresh coat of paint. More jobs to be done, and there will be another working party day in the New Year. It was honestly great fun, and of course, tea and cake were provided. Peter made a delicious cake. Huge thanks to everyone who helped.
❤️🩹 Heart Start evening
Heart Start, who provided our defibrillator, came to give us a demonstration on how to use it. Dummies were provided for us to practice, which lit up when we were carrying out CPR correctly. Hopefully, we will never have to use the defibrillator, but if anyone does, please try as the instructions are very clear and easy to follow and definitely better than not trying.
🎾 Overgrips for sale in Clubhouse
Once the remaining overgrips are sold, no more will be provided, as unfortunately, a few went AWOL and Bella lost money. The remaining ones are a good deal. Please note it’s cash only in the tin (no credit/IOUs).
🍫 Serve ‘n’ Snack Shack
The goodies in the fridge (kept topped up by the snack fairy) provide that extra energy when needed. Please remember to put the money in the box or write your name down if you haven’t any change, ticking it off when you have paid. All proceeds go to the club.
🎾 Free balls if you refer new members
We would love some new members. Let your friends and family know about the club. If an adult signs up due to your introduction, then a lovely tube of Head balls will be yours. Please email Peter to claim your balls.
👕 Club Kit
Why not complete your tennis experience, be the envy of your club mates and also help to raise club funds by ordering some cool club kit? Hoodies, jackets, T-shirts, polo shirts, and headbands are all available. For further information, catalogue details and a quote please email Kim.
💛 Safeguarding
Any safeguarding concerns contact the club Welfare Officer, Anne Spargo. The first aid kit is in the cupboard on the left of the clubhouse as you enter. As a reminder, the defibrillator code is C1267.
🎾 Tennis Balls
Head Tour balls can be purchased from the club for £6 for a 4-ball tube. If you need balls, please email Peter (or at 07752704525) who will let you know how to get hold of your balls and how to pay. Please do not take balls without agreeing with Peter in advance.
The best ways to stay up to date with club news is via our WhatsApp group. If you would like to be added please email Ali or Bella.
Click here to follow MCS Tennis Club on Facebook for news, events and results updates as they happen