Membership Handbook
CONTENTS
Introduction .......................................................................................................................... 1
Membership Categories....................................................................................................... 2
Full, Overseas and Student Members ................................................................................ 2
Midweek Members ............................................................................................................ 2
Introductory Members ....................................................................................................... 3
Junior Members ................................................................................................................. 3
Social members .................................................................................................................. 4
Coaching ............................................................................................................................... 4
Visitors .................................................................................................................................. 4
Access to courts .................................................................................................................... 5
Court booking .................................................................................................................... 5
Floodlights ......................................................................................................................... 5
Clothing.............................................................................................................................. 5
Membership of British Tennis ............................................................................................ 5
Wimbledon Ticket Draw.................................................................................................... 5
Social Events ......................................................................................................................... 5
How Members can help ....................................................................................................... 6
Volunteering ...................................................................................................................... 6
Raising funds ..................................................................................................................... 6
Downswood branded sportswear ....................................................................................... 6
Introduction
Downswood Lawn Tennis Club is a small, friendly club situated in a pleasant location on
Epsom Downs, close to the racecourse. Since its beginnings in the 1930s, Downswood has
provided a friendly, relaxed environment for tennis players of all ages and abilities. The
Club has three tennis courts that are available for use by members all year round. The Club
is affiliated to the Lawn Tennis Association and operates LTA policies and procedures
covering Child Protection and Equity and Diversity. A copy of these documents can be
found in the clubhouse. These ensure the Club is run efficiently and provides a safe and
secure environment for members and visitors. If required, accident, incident and member
feedback forms are available in the clubhouse and on the website.
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Membership Categories
Full, Overseas and Student Members
Overseas members must reside overseas for at least 6 months of a year.
Student members must be under the age of 25 years and in full time education.
Full, Overseas and Student members are able to play at the following club sessions
(approximate times) –
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday*
Saturday
Sunday
14.00 - 16.00
14.00 - 16.00
19.00 - 21.30 (floodlit during winter)
14.00 - 16.00
9.30 - 11.30
14.30 - 17.00
9.30 - 11.30
*This session is a Senior Open club session where ALL senior members are eligible to play
– Full, Overseas, Student, Midweek and Introductory.
Full, Overseas and Student members are eligible to vote at the AGM, enter the ballot for
Wimbledon tickets (providing they meet the required LTA and Club rules), attend coaching
sessions (see details below), play in Club summer and autumn tournaments, friendly
matches and, if selected, play in league matches. They may book courts at any time
providing there is one available, using the booking sheets in the clubhouse. They may also
attend social functions.
NB. Juniors have priority on all courts on Saturday mornings during term time and Friday
evenings between 17.00 and 19.00 throughout the year, excluding winter school holidays.
Midweek Members
This is an off-peak membership. Midweek members are able to play at the following club
sessions (approximate times) –
Monday
Tuesday
Thursday
Friday*
14.00 - 16.00
14.00 - 16.00
14.00 - 16.00
9.30 - 11.30
*This session is a Senior Open club session where ALL senior members are eligible to play
– Full, Overseas, Student, Midweek and Introductory.
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Midweek members are eligible to vote at the AGM, enter the ballot for Wimbledon tickets
(providing they meet the required LTA and Club rules), attend coaching sessions (see
details below) and play in friendly matches. Midweek members who meet the required
standard of play may be invited to attend the Wednesday evening social tennis session.
They may book courts on weekdays (Monday – Friday) at any time providing there is one
available, using the booking sheets in the clubhouse. They may also attend social functions.
NB. Juniors have priority on all courts on Friday evenings between 17.00 and 19.00
throughout the year, excluding winter school holidays.
Introductory Members
The Introductory section is aimed at ‘returners’ to the game or those with little experience
who would like to play at a club. When there is sufficient demand the Club also arranges a
beginners coaching session for those new to tennis. Introductory members may attend the
following club session –
Friday*
9.30 - 11.30
*This session is a Senior Open club session where ALL senior members are eligible to play
– Full, Overseas, Student, Midweek and Introductory.
Introductory members are able to play at any time providing a court is free and attend
coaching sessions (see details below), however, they are NOT full members of the Club
and are NOT able to vote at the AGM, enter the ballot for Wimbledon tickets, book courts
or play in tournaments, friendly or league matches. Introductory members are welcome to
attend social events.
This membership category is available for one year only. After 1 year Introductory
members should advance to Full, Student, Overseas or Midweek membership as
appropriate.
Junior Members
Children between the age of 4 -18 years are classed as junior members.
Group coaching is organised by our dedicated Coach, Mrs Penny Batchelor. It is available
at an additional charge on Saturday mornings, Monday evenings and Thursday evenings
during term times and caters for all ages and abilities. Penny is an LTA licensed Level 2
coach who manages the U12 Surrey Girls Team.
Mini tennis is available for 4 – 8 year olds.
Juniors between 7-18 years are able to play at any time providing a court is available. They
cannot book a court and adults always have priority. Juniors are encouraged to use the
courts at ‘quiet’ times i.e. between 16.00 and 18.00 on weekdays.
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Free social tennis sessions are held on Friday evenings throughout the year (excluding
winter school holiday times): 17.00 – 18.00 for children 7 - 9 yrs and from 17.00 – 19.00
for children over 10yrs.
Junior members may enter the junior summer tournament, play in league matches and
enjoy the fun competitions and social events held during the year.
Junior members are eligible to enter the ballot for Wimbledon tickets (providing they meet
the required LTA and Club rules).
Juniors who reach the required standard of play may be invited to play as adult members.
All junior members are required to wear suitable clothing when they are on court. If they
do not they will be asked to leave the court.
Social members
Social membership is comprised of friends of the Club, parents of children who are
members of the Club and former members who no longer play tennis. Social members are
ONLY able to attend social events.
Coaching
Coaching at the Club is organised by Mrs Penny Batchelor. Penny is an LTA licensed
Level 2 coach who manages the U12 Surrey Girls Team. She currently runs three adult
courses at the Club Wednesday
14.20 - 15.20
Thursday
9.30 – 11.00
Friday
19.00 – 20.30
For details about junior coaching, please see the Junior Members section above. To book a
course, individual lessons or for further information please contact Penny Tel No: 07711
946947. E-mail: [email protected].
Visitors
Visitors can only play at the Club if playing members personally introduce them. The
number of visitors introduced by any one member on any one day should not exceed two
and no visitor can play more than three times a season. The fee for each visitor is £2 per
adult and £1 per junior. Members shall, in all cases, be responsible for the conduct of their
visitors and shall enter the names of the visitor/s in the Visitors’ Book before play. They
shall also ensure that the appropriate fee is paid.
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Access to courts
Court booking
Full, Student and Overseas members can book a court at any time, subject to availability.
Midweek members can book courts on week days (Monday - Friday), subject to
availability. League matches always have priority followed by Club tournament matches.
There are also regular times booked for coaching and team practice. Courts must be booked
in advance using the booking sheets that are available in the clubhouse. Introductory
members cannot book in advance but are able to play any time a court is available.
Floodlights
Two courts have floodlights, which are available until 9.30 pm, except for Sundays and
Bank Holidays. Tokens are available from committee members at £2.50 per half an hour. In
addition during the winter there is a floodlit Wednesday evening club session from 7.00 to
9.30pm when members are required to pay £1 towards the cost of the lights.
Clothing
Downswood LTC does not insist on players wearing white clothing but does require tennis
attire to be worn on court at all times. Only recognised tennis shoes should be worn, NOT
training shoes.
Membership of British Tennis
The Club is affiliated to the Lawn Tennis Association. Members are encouraged to take out
individual membership of British Tennis, the LTA membership scheme. British Tennis
membership is currently free to affiliated club members. To register, please visit
www.lta.org and follow the links. Only members of Downswood LTC who are also a
member of British Tennis are eligible to enter the Club Wimbledon Ticket Draw. The Club
is allocated a number of Wimbledon tickets each year based on the percentage of Club
members who are also members of British Tennis.
Wimbledon Ticket Draw
Full, Student, Mid Week, Overseas and Junior members are eligible to enter the Draw.
They must also be individual members of British Tennis. Any member who has entered for
the last two or more consecutive years and not had a ticket will be entered into a ‘First
Draw’. Other members applying for tickets are then entered into a ‘Second Draw’.
Social Events
The Club holds a variety of social events throughout the year. After the summer
tournament finals a barbecue is usually held. The autumn finals are followed by a similar
social event.
‘Club suppers’ are held after Wednesday evening club session – currently, every 4 weeks.
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During the winter months, bridge, whist drives and table tennis sessions are held regularly.
The Club organises a Christmas lunch and ‘mulled wine and mince pies’ are served in the
clubhouse the Sunday before Christmas.
Other events, such as ten-pin bowling, quiz nights and progressive dinners are held
occasionally.
How Members can help
Volunteering
Downswood LTC is an active club that is run by its members for members. Committee
members’ work to ensure the Club operates successfully. However, traditionally members
have volunteered to give a few hours each year to help with administration or maintain
Club premises. Members are encouraged to continue this tradition.
Raising funds
Although income from membership subscriptions ensures the financial security of the
Club, money raised from social events provides important additional funds to help cover
the renewal of Club assets, such as the courts and clubhouse.
Downswood branded sportswear
A variety of sports clothing including hoodies, sweatshirts, polo shirts and t-shirts bearing
the Club’s logo are available for purchase through the Club. Please see the notice board,
call Janet on 0208 394 1389 or e-mail [email protected] for details.
September, 2012
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