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History of the Club
The Club is one of the oldest tennis clubs in the country having celebrated its Centenary Season in 1990. The Club has been on the same grounds throughout its history, initially renting from a farmer and then purchasing the freehold in 1926. The Club is run as a limited company for the members’ benefit and a committee of Directors who are elected by the members manages it. The Club has always moved with the times being one of the first to drop playing in tests and it operates an equal opportunities policy offering tennis to as many people as possible regardless of age or playing standards. In 2008 we moved into a brand new clubhouse of which we are very proud.
Membership of the Club The Club has an adult membership of approximately 160 and a junior membership of 160. Full adult membership for the 12 months from April 2010 to end of March 2011 is £165 (£155 if paid before 1st June) and junior membership is £64. There are special rates for couples, families, playing parents, students and for midweek and winter play.
Playing Facilities The Club has some of the best facilities in the area with 9 courts; 7 all weather and 2 artificial grass. 4 of the all weather courts are floodlit. We also have a practice wall and a mini tennis area. The old clubhouse is hopefully going to be converted into an indoor mini tennis area. The 2 artificial grass courts have been renewed recently as has court 4 which is now tarmac with new floodlights and this will be used by our coach as required.
Clubhouse Our new clubhouse is a two storey brick building with balcony to include gentlemen’s and ladies changing rooms with showers etc, a large function room with bar and kitchen, an area for juniors to use, an office and disabled facilities including lift. An appeal to raise funds for this project was named "Funding the Future" and resulted in over £100,000 being raised in three years that together with money accumulated over several years brought the project to fruition. The grand opening took place in April 2008.
Club Playing Sessions There are three adult Club sessions per week from April 4rd until the end of September: Monday and Thursday evenings (6pm to 10pm) and Saturday afternoons (2pm to 6pm). The Club provides balls for members’ use in doubles foursomes, chosen using a peg-board system, playing a set at a time. There is no need to pre-arrange a group to play good tennis three or four times a week. On Tuesday mornings a ‘hardy perennials’ group meets from 10-1pm. The Club sessions are a good way to socialize as well with the bar being open and refreshments sometimes available on Saturdays. The members on a rota basis staff the bar.
League Tennis The Club enters teams in the South & Mid Cheshire League. For 2010 we will enter 7 Men’s teams, 4 ladies teams and 3 mixed teams. The men and ladies play on Tuesday evenings, with some matches on Thursday evenings, and the mixed team plays on Sunday mornings. The number of teams allows for competitive tennis to be available for a wide range of standards of players
Congleton LTC is also involved in County and National competitions throughout the summer season.
Junior Tennis The Club was awarded the Girobank National Junior Development Club of the Year prize in 1992 for its junior programme. For very many years we have successfully run junior coaching sessions on a Wednesday evening for all ages. Free coaching from May 19th to July 21st will be included in the membership fee of £64.(Subsequent children in the same family £55.) Thereafter any other coaching by our coach, Istvan Kaplan will be charged accordingly. Children who show potential in these groups will be invited to attend a more extensive programme with the head coach. See separate leaflets for coaching timetable. Team players will be chosen from these groups and attend extra squad sessions. These players will play in various junior competitions throughout the year. The best players will be allowed to play in some adult club sessions and enter the club tournament.
Club Tournament The Club will run a tournament for the adult members during July, August and September with 2 finals days in September. The men’s, ladies and mixed competitions are entered as an individual with partners being allocated by ballot and then being run on a handicap basis to provide a chance for all. The singles events are not handicapped. Veterans’ events are also available. All Club members are encouraged to enter and entry forms will be available in July.
Coaching Our coach, Istvan Kaplan, has been with us for 2 years and has introduced several new programmes. He is available for individual and group coaching and will be running the junior coaching programme throughout the summer on Wednesday evenings. A rusty rackets session for adults (both beginners and lapsed players) will be organized too. Istvan can be contacted on: 07939 331000 or email: kaplans@btinternet.com. Ladies tennis sessions are available Wednesday mornings 10.00 to 12.00 noon with refreshments included! These sessions are run by Ivan Davies. Istvan has priority use of the courts at the following times: practice wall and practice area - at all times; Monday to Friday 7am to 6.30pm - 3 courts; Saturdays 8am to 2pm -3 courts; Sundays 8am to 9pm - 2 courts. Court 4 will be available to the Head coach at all times from April to September. In the winter the Head coach may use court 4 subject to the booking system.
Access to the Club Facilities The courts are not locked and some are available for use by members at all times except during Club sessions (Monday and Thursday evenings, Saturday afternoons), match nights (Tuesday evenings), junior evenings (Wednesdays) and those used by the Head coach as outlined above. There may also be matches at other times but some courts will be available on a first come first served basis. Members must use their own tennis balls except for club sessions.
Shoe-tags
All members receive a shoe-tag as proof of membership; please wear it when you are on the courts. Adult members can hire keys to the Clubhouse from the Secretary for a £10 returnable deposit. The floodlights can be used by members up to 10pm for £1 for 15 minutes using the slot meters in the junior area of the new clubhouse. The slot meters are emptied daily.
Clothing and Footwear The Club has a policy that dress to be worn on the courts should have been manufactured for racket sports; this policy applies at all times. Shoes should be designed for tennis and black-soled shoes or trainers with ribs on the edge of the soles should not be worn as they damage the court surfaces.
Visitors The Club encourages visitors to play at the Club either as prospective members or visitors to the area. A fee of £5 per visit will be made and a maximum of three visits is allowed before the visitor will be expected to become a member. Short-term membership can be arranged in certain cases such as a month working in the area. Junior visitors can play with members for £2 per session. Parents who wish to play with junior members can take out a reduced membership of £30.
Winter Tennis The modern all weather courts and the floodlights have turned tennis into a year round game. Thursday evenings and Saturday afternoons continue as club sessions through the winter, with members contributing to the use of the floodlights and the balls. A winter doubles league is run from October to March. The competitors are divided into divisions with monthly relegation and promotion so that the players soon find their correct level of play. Three league teams are entered in the South & Mid Cheshire winter league, matches played on Sunday mornings Social Activities
There are American tournaments organized throughout the summer: May 3rd Town Mayor’s tournament, Chairman’s Cup TBA, East Cheshire Mayor’s tournament TBA in September. Once a month- generally the last Friday the Club and bar will be open for a sociable evening with friends. Other social activities have been suggested such a Crown Green Bowls and Candlelit supper. Please speak to a committee member if you have any ideas and watch the notice boards for details.
Wimbledon Tickets The LTA allocate Wimbledon tickets to the Club and members can enter a draw to purchase the tickets. The chances of being able to purchase tickets have proved to be good for those members who are prepared to be flexible over the days on which they attend. Only members who are members of British Tennis and have paid their current subscription are eligible to apply for tickets. (age 9 and above).
100 Club The Club has a policy of developing its facilities and it needs to be on a sound financial footing to do this. Joining the 100 Club can help achieve this. For a £2 monthly subscription, you can be entered into a monthly prize draw with prizes up to £100 available twice a year and with cash prizes on offer every month. Entry forms are available in the Clubhouse.
Committee Members for 2010 The Committee’s job is to run the Club for the benefit of the members, so if you require any information or you have a suggestion for improvement please contact one of them:
