May 25th, 2013 | 
Author: Our very popular annual Open Day will take place on Sunday 30th June from 10.30am to 2.00pm. This is a great opportunity to come along and try out the game, see some exhibition tennis and meet the coaches and committee members. There will be plenty of tennis activities for all the family. Enquiries to Sinead on 085 1156051
Following on from our Centenary Open Day on 5th May, several people have expressed interest in purchasing one of our Centenary Calendars. A sample one is on display in the office of the clubhouse. An once off order will be placed with our associate sponsor ‘Conway Media’ week commencing 3rd June so if you would like to order one please let Sinead know. We do not have a price on them yet as the level of interest will determine this.
On Monday 20th and 27th May we will hold a social tennis evening at 7.30pm. We have four courts reserved so the first 16 names to text Liz Doyle or Lorraine Van Bronckhorst will be guaranteed participation. Cost is €4 to cover lights, prizes and refreshments.
Liz 086 8520505
Lorraine087 2291884
12.00pm 2.00pm Junior Treasure Hunt
2.00pm – 2.45pm Conor Niland on court with members
2.00pm – 3.00pm Coaches John Brady and Ashley Wynne – coaching exhibition (Courts 5 & 6)
2.00pm – 3.00pm Target Tennis – Return the ball through Hoop Competition (Court 4)
2.00pm – 6.00pm Trophies, Photo’s and Tennis Artefacts Gallery in clubhouse
4.30pm – 5.00pm Fastest Serve Competition (Court 4)
2.00pm – 6.00pm Tea & Biscuit Refreshments
2.45pm – 3.00pm Conor Niland – Questions & Answers
3.10pm – 3.30pm Conor Niland v Dr. Gerald Kean knock up on court (Court 2)
3.30pm – 4.15pm Formal Ceremony – Welcome Dr. Gerald Kean and Club President Mr. Robert Earls
Club History Presentation by Trustee Mr. Joe Kavanagh
Unveiling of Plaque by Club President Mr. Robert Earls and Past President Mr. John Pickerill
Ecumenical Blessing of the Club
4.15pm Tea and Cakes for invited guests and attendees
4.15pm – 4.30pm Tennis Ball Race
4.30pm – 5.30pm Finals of Mixed Doubles Fun Competition – as above (Courts 2 & 3)
5.30pm – 6.00pm Presentation of all Competition Prizes
8.00pm Centenary Celebration Party in the Grand Hotel.
Wicklow Tennis Club was formally opened 100 years ago by the Earl Fitzwilliam on 14th May 1913.
To celebrate our centenary we are having an Open Day at the Club on Bank Holiday Sunday 5th May 2013 with a number of events including Junior and Senior fun events and exhibition tennis with leading Irish Player, Conor Niland (former Irish Professional and Davis Cup player). Gerald Kean, Celebrity Solicitor and former Senior Champion for 7 years in the Club, will be acting as Master of Ceremonies on the day.
A Programme of Events for the day is being planned and will culminate with a Centenary Dinner Dance that night in the Grand Hotel. An Exhibition Gallery will be on display in the Club House with as many memorabilia we can get to profile the club’s history of tennis in the town.
We are appealing to all members to get involved with us and celebrate this major milestone in the Club’s history.
We are looking for old stories, photos, videos, memorabilia, artefacts (old racquets & /old tennis apparel etc.) and reminiscences relating to the Club to put into the exhibition gallery for the event. If you have any old photos/items or if you know past members who would have old photos etc. could you borrow them to/for us for the Gallery display. All items/photos loaned will be returned to their original owners.
If you would like to participate in the preparations for the event please let us know. For example.. ‘do you know of a dress maker or tailor who would make up some mock Edwardian/Georgian Period tennis wear for Ladies and Gents ?’; ‘want to make some sandwiches/cakes/pastries for the tea party ?’ etc. … if so let us know by contacting Sinéad Nolan (details below) or any committee member.
Let’s all make this a day to remember by ensuring we have a large attendance on the 5th May 2013 at the Club Grounds. Please put a note in your calendar for it and spread the word to all your friends….. all in the community are welcome, especially former members, to join in our 100th year celebrations and mark this wonderful achievement in the Club’s history.
Yours in membership
Robert Earls
Club President
Well done to Wicklow Tennis Club’s three teams who competed in the finals of the Dublin Lawn Tennis Council Winter League in Castleknock Tennis Club on Sunday 24th March. Despite the bitterly cold weather spirits were high!
First match on court at 11.00am was the men’s Class 3 final against Castleknock. Tomás Morrissey & Jack McHugh secured the first point for Wicklow, David & Robert Pickerill were unfortunate to lose their game and it was all down to Conor Ruttledge and Peter Finnegan to see if they could secure the final point for Wicklow but after a very hard game they were defeated. Despite the loss they have gained promotion to class 2 for next year, a wonderful achievement.
At 1.00pm it was time for the ladies Class 2 final alongside the men’s Class 7 final.
In the ladies Class 2 final against Charleville, Ashley Wynne & Alexandra Pickerill gained the first point for Wicklow, followed shortly by Shionagh Downey & Jean Baker which meant that Tina Meehan & Grace Fitzsimons did not have to finish out their game as the win was secured. A fantastic result for the ladies, they too will enjoy promotion to class 1 next year.
The men’s class 7 final against Leixlip was just as thrilling with Robert Earls & Damien Flood winning Wicklow’s 1st point, followed by Eamonn Dillon & John Kernan, therefore Glenn Malone & Bill McHugh did not need to finish out, another wonderful achievement which gains that team promotion to class 6 next year.
All in all a thrilling day of tennis, super achievements for all involved. Special thanks to everyone who subbed on the teams throughout the campaign and all the supporters who travelled up to Castleknock for the day and to Castleknock Tennis Club for their fabulous hospitality.
On Sunday 24th March the club will be represented by three teams (1 ladies and 2 men’s) in the finals of the Dublin Lawn Tennis Council Winter League. This is a first for the club and a fantastic achievement for all the players. All three finals take place at Castleknock Tennis Club. Matches are scheduled as follows:
Men
Class 3 final: Wicklow 1 V Castleknock 2 at 11.00am
Class 7 final: Wicklow 4 v Leixlip 2 at 1.00pm
Ladies
Class 2 final: Wicklow 1 V Charleville 1 at 1.00pm.
All support is welcome so please try to come along.
The club has expanded its junior development programme to include a 2nd class for those children who have been participating in it. Thanks to the club very kindly subsidising this programme, coaches David Sheehan and Ashley Wynne are giving the children who have ability and an interst in the game an opportunity to develop their tennis as much as possbile as once a week is simply not enough tennis for players to develop to their full potential.
Applications are invited for the position of ‘Junior Supervisor’ for July and August 2013. This job is open to both Male and Female applicants who have reached the age of 18 years by 30th June 2013. Each applicant will be invited to attend an interview shortly after the closing date where they will be informed in detail of the job requirements.
Applicants must enjoy working with children, be a competent tennis player and be able to take insutruction well. This job is extrememly rewarding for the right person.
If this job appeals to you, please forward a Curriculum Vitae accompanied with a covering letter to arrive no later than 15th March 2013 at 5.00pm to:
Sinead Nolan
Administrator
Wicklow Tennis Club
The Glebe
Wicklow Town
Club President Robert Earls and the committee wish all the members a very happy Chirstmas and a healthy and happy 2013.