In this sometimes over-competitive age, friendly tennis clubs can be hard to find. However, the friendly attitude of our club cannot be emphasised too strongly, as our members are well aware that joining a new club can be a daunting prospect.
We are not as big as some other local tennis clubs; we are certainly not elite, but we do enjoy our social tennis as well as giving those with ability the chance to progress.
We also wish to retain a family atmosphere so it is not unusual to find babes in prams sleepin
g peacfully while mum plays a little tennis, of course with that ever watchfull eye on baby.
For those of a more competitive nature we have 2 mens doubles teams entered into the local league as well as a ladies doubles team and mixed doubles team.
If you feel you would like to play then contact us we would be happy to welcome you.
We also have a very solid senior membership who play regularly on a Thursday morning at 10 am.
If you can't manage that and need to blow away a few cobwebs then why not come to one of our club sessions on a Saturday morning at 10 am or Wednesday evening at 6pm.
We would welcome you and don't you worry about having to bring a partner we all join in and play!
During a public meeting held in January 2008, members of the Craig y Don community raised the issue that there were no facilities for the local youth to be involved in and no youth club either. The Youth Services' bus is at the Community Centre car park each Tuesday night and the St Davids Methodist Church have a youth club each Friday night, but unfortunately these are not well supported.
Enquiries were made with the Craig y Don Community Centre and Sailing Club with a view to holding a youth club there but unfortunately due to various reasons this was not possible.
As a result of this, I got together with the Craig y Don Community Tennis Club and organised funding from PACT (Police and Community Trust) to fund the use of the MUGA (Multi Use Games Area) during the summer holidays. I had booked 12 sessions of 4 hours each at no cost to the local youths. These sessions were supervised by either myself or PCSO Gail Starr or another member of the Neighbourhood Policing Team and included tennis, football, and netball.
We were fortunate enough to borrow some tennis rackets and balls from the coach for the 6 weeks. We also held 4 hour sessions every Monday, Wednesday and Friday for tennis on the two tennis courts at the rear of the Community Centre, which were also left open for local people to use during the holidays.
Several of the local youths attended over the weeks despite the appalling weather conditions.
I would like to thank the following:
Craig y Don Community Tennis Club for their support in this venture and look forward to working with them again in the future.
Co-op in Craig y Don for providing refreshments for the children.
Dave Evans, PACT for the funding.
Charles, the tennis coach for the use of the rackets and balls.
And of course, the children themselves for turning up and making the most of the initiative.
PC 2391 Lowri Jones