How the Club Works

Who runs the club?

The Committee (see The Committee or Club Notice Board) meets every 4-6 weeks.

We have three coaches, Head Coach Richard Dupree and Coaches Katie Lucas and Rob Collins.

When can you play?

Mainly depends on the membership category you have purchased. The format of play for a normal week, which is displayed in the Clubhouse, guides people to when other members of a similar standard are likely to play.

All members will be listed on the club notice board with their telephone number(s) and Membership Category (Members can also see this information online in the Members Only section). A member may play outside his/her membership category occasionally but is expected to pay a £5 ‘visitor’s fee’ to the Club each time. This relies on an honesty and fair usage basis.

Potential New Members & Visitors

A visitor’s fee of £5 for adults and £1 for juniors applies. Potential new members are welcome to play free on their first visit but a £5 fee, which can be reclaimed on joining, is chargeable on subsequent visits. Fees should be passed to a bar steward/committee member or coach.

Non-members may have coaching but must pay the applicable fee on top of the normal coaching fee for both Adults or Juniors. They may also only have coaching for a period of up to 6 weeks.

Club Bar

The bar is open Monday-Thursday 8:00pm – 11:00pm (10pm during COVID) and Sunday lunchtime 12noon – 2:00pm.

Club House Key

All members may obtain a key to the front doors from the bar staff, a £10 deposit is required which is refundable with return of the key.

Tennis Balls

New balls are used for matches (match fees apply to cover this cost). Adult balls are located in the clubhouse under the notice board and Junior balls are located in the porch. The Club will endeavour to put out ex-match balls for Adult fixed 4 and club play on Tuesday evenings and Sunday mornings but tennis ball provision is not guaranteed as there may be occasions when there just aren’t any ex-match balls available.

Club Play Sessions

Club play means turn up and mix in with whomever else is there. Please see format of play.

Social Events

Please see the Club’s Event Calendar for what is happening when (available on the website and in the bar). As a club we believe that the social aspect of the Club is important to bring our members together, as well as help to raise money and maintain the facilities.

Future Plans

3 new courts were laid late 2019 and the committee are currently discussing further plans for enhancements to the club facilities.

Ongoing

The courts are now cleaned on an annual basis, normally in the spring and the floodlights are serviced annually.

Annual Subscriptions

Subscriptions are reviewed at the AGM in March each year. There is a small reduction for fees paid within one month. After two months a player’s membership is deemed to have expired.

Wimbledon Tickets

To participate in the annual club Wimbledon Ticket Draw you must be up to date with your subs, be a British Tennis Member linked to Great Baddow LTC and have opted-in on the LTA website.

Representative Teams

The Club fields various teams in both the Essex League (played Saturdays and Sundays) and the Chelmsford League (mainly played Monday to Friday). Our home match nights are Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and occasionally Friday. You have to be a 7-Day Member to play in a team.

The Juniors play in the following leagues: AEGON Team Tennis, Chelmsford League, Halstead & District League.

Coaching

The coaches run various group coaching courses for adults and juniors, as well as providing individual lessons.

Adult coaching is on a Monday night, from 6:30pm – 7:30pm for beginners and those relatively new to the game and on Monday’s from 7:30pm – 9:00pm for those of an intermediate or better standard.

Junior courses run term-time with extra play & pay sessions available. Varying ages and standards play between 4.30pm – 7:00pm on weekdays and 9:00am to 2:00pm on Saturdays. All courts are dedicated to Juniors on a Saturday morning for coaching and interclub matches.

Tournaments

The Club runs an annual Open Tournament (May/June) and Handicap Tournament (September/October). 7 Day, 5 Day, Weekend and Junior members are eligible to enter both tournaments. See notice boards and website for entry details. The club also runs a closed Junior tournament in the autumn.

Club Hire

The Club facilities can be hired, with or without the bar for private functions. Members receive a reduced rate. Details/rates available from the Secretary.

Club Etiquette Code

It is very important that everyone familiarises themselves and adheres to this code in order for the club to run smoothly. Please see website and Club Noticeboard for Etiquette Code.