DURING her time in office as mayor of Dawlish, Cllr Val Mawhood has chosen to support several charities who work with local youngsters.
One of them is Dawlish Lawn Tennis Club, managed by a small team of dedicated members who are driven by a set of vision and values created to make sure it focuses on being a successful, progressive club in the heart of the local community.
ROBERT ELVER, Head Coach and Facilities Manager, writes:
The Club are a registered HMRC Community Amateur Sports Club member and LTA affiliated.
One of the Club’s main aims is to provide a safe secure environment for all members and visitors, that is free from discrimination, and to have quality facilities to enhance the competitive and recreational experience of anyone wishing to take up the sport. The Club’s volunteers work hard to be able to offer value for money memberships with excellent facilities, activities, and events. To achieve these aims the Club works closely with key partners, volunteers and other stakeholders. The Club completes the majority of maintenance work themselves which includes painting, general repairs, groundwork, minor electrics, and cleaning.
The Club currently has 170 members, of all ages and abilities, ranging from the age of 3 to over 70. Head coaches, twins Robert and Peter Elver, who have been at the Club for nearly 30 years, manage the coaching and junior section. Next year the Club will have four men’s teams and a woman’s team playing in the Exeter & District League. The Club has junior teams competing in the local LTA League. There are two adult club sessions on a Monday and a Thursday evening and four junior club sessions on Saturday and Sunday mornings.
Coaching is available from one of four coaches at the Club. The Club runs an annual adult and junior summer tournament. One of the highlights of the year is the Club’s Junior Finals Day. Another popular annual event the Club runs is a family Halloween Monster Smash fun doubles afternoon where younger juniors play doubles with a family member/friend. The Club is keen to take tennis out to the community, running a summer Dawlish Carnival event and an LTA Tennis For All event, opening up a new world of tennis to many who have never tried it.
With regard to junior tennis the Club believes that introducing youngsters to tennis is more than just teaching a sport. They believe it is a platform to develop skills such as determination, communication, and respect, which are important as children grow into young adults. The Club runs a mini tennis programme which filters through the four coaching club sessions that take place each weekend. The Club uses an array of mini tennis equipment (balls, rackets, floor markers, and mini nets) to help very young children enjoy, and get the most out of the sessions. The Club is a keen supporter of the Duke of Edinburgh Scheme and supports older juniors wishing to become coaches.