New season pending

Spring seems to be arriving and we will soon be in the tennis season again, giving us the opportunity to kick off the winter blues. However, before we can use the courts there is a lot of work to be done. The good news is that it has already started. As usual the frosts have raised the tapes so they all need to be re-laid. Most the courts have been weeded and moss removed. A couple of tons of shale is expected this week, that will have to be spread and then we can start the cycle of rolling and brushes. This is the work that is needed if we are to retain some of the best courts in Huddersfield. In addition there is a little work needed on the veranda roof, so if anyone is handy with wood and roofing felt we may be able to start on the repairs needed.

The term "many hands make light work" could not be more true. Could you posibly spare some time next Saturday (17th March) to give a couple of hours of your time? The working party will start around 10.00 am. Time given to volunteering will be recognised by a reduction in your subscription rates, but the club is very dependent on the generous efforts of members who help to get the courts ready so that we can all enjoy our tennis. We suggest you bring some gardening gloves. Trowels, rakes, hammers and pruning implements may prove useful. New members are always welcome

Just a note for the men who would like some team tennis. We have entered a second team in the league. I would like us to have a couple of practices in Greenhead Park before the start of the season. If you are interested in playing please let me know.

Hope you can help.

League Presentation Evening

Huddersfield and District Tennis League held its presentation evening at the YMCA's Launds Hill centre on Friday, 30th September. Among the teams to receive a trophy were Grove's Mens team, who were League Division 4 Champions.

The team finished the season with 32 points, level with Liversedge C, but decisively won a decider. Both teams will play in Division 3 next season.

Stalwarts throughout the season include captain Julian Parr, Roger Hardy, John Ardley, Mick Pearson, Chris Riley, Neville Edwards, with David Gregory, Fash Safdari, Adrian Abel and Danny Moss filling in as necessary.



The picture shows captain Julian Parr (3rd from the left) with (left to right) Adrian Abel, Fred Dransfield and Roger Hardy.



Grove has had a very successful year, with an increased membership and a much higher use being made of the courts, which lived up to their reputation as being among the best shale courts in the area. It is hoped that next season Grove will be able to enter a second men's team, matching Grove ladies who will be playing in their 2nd and 3rd Divisions. However, a few more players will be needed, so if you would like to play league tennis next year, Grove would be a good place to try.



The Club's AGM will be held on Monday, 7th November, why not come along and make yourself known.



The courts are still playable (Monday 3rd October) but the darker nights are creeping in, bringing to an end Wednesday Club nights. Thanks to all who have supported the club in what can only be regarded as a most successful year.
Adrian Abel (Chair for another month!)

Barbecue postponed

Due to the terrible weather forecast for the weekend and on safety grounds the committee have decided to postpone the event. We sincerely apologise to all who had decided to come but the conditions are forecast to be terrible, but the courts looked more like a swimming pool than a tennis court!

As the annual barbecue has become a popular annual event we will try and rearrange before the courts are closed for the winter, so keep an eye on this blog.

Finally, the club AGM will be on Monday, 7th November at the clubhouse, commencing 8 pm.

Men's team become champions

I did the men's team an injustice when I suggested they were runners up in Division 4 of the Huddersfield Tennis League. In fact they tied for the top spot with Liversedge C. In the resulting play-off they won 10-1 and therefore gained the title along with promotion to Division C.

Just a reminder to anyone who would like to play league tennis. Grove are considering entering a B team but need a few more players who want to play league tennis. If you are interested please leave a comment and we will get back to you. We are quite prepared to give junior members a chance if they are of a reasonable standard.

The barbecue has been arranged for Saturday 10th September at 2 pm at the club. All welcome whether members or not. £6 for adults £3 for children including food and drink. Hope to see you there.

Final Social Event of the Year

Sadly the outdoor tennis season is drawing to an end. Grove Tennis Club on Heaton Road, Huddersfield has had another good season with a significant increase in membership. The last social event at the club will be the annual Barbecue at the club on Saturday, 10th September.
The food will be preceded by social tennis so bring along your kit from 2 pm onwards. The fee will be £6 which will include a burger and a glass of wine or beer.

All are welcome whether members or not so bring along relatives, friends and neighbours . However, please let us know if you intend coming so that we can plan the food. Please let Anna Hardy know email : anna_hardy@live.co.uk or put your name on the list in the club house.

A special welcome awaits any former members of the club, but you will hardly recognise the club house with its new carpet and brighter paint.

Huddersfield Tennis League are also having a presentation evening on Friday 30th September at the YMCA, Laund Hill, 7 for 7.30 pm.

Next season we are hoping to register a B team in the Huddersfield Tennis League. This should give those of us who would struggle in the first team an opportunity for league tennis and help us to bring on some younger players. If you are interested leave a message on this blog.

Great year for Grove men in Huddersfield Tennis League

After several years in the fourth division of the Men's Huddersfield Tennis League, the team has gained promotion after a hard fight. The season started poorly losing to Tingley, as the team struggled to find members who were free on Tuesday evenings. However, the team rapidly established itself with a stable team, and in spite of a couple of hard fought draws, finished runners up to Livesedge C, only the number of sets won separating them. So congratulations to Julian Parr and the other team members, their success follows that of the Boys in the Junior league.

Sadly the Ladies A team were relegated from the Ladies' first division after just one season in the top flight, but they are not dishearted and will be fighting their way back next season. Meanwhile the Ladies B team finished mid table in Division 3, where they won seven of their fourteen games. It was heartening to see some of the new members the club has recruited playing for the team.

With a large number of new men players having joined the club there are hopes that it can enter a new B team into the league next year. Potential new members can come down to the club for men's team practice on Tuesday evenings or to club night on Wednesdays from 6 pm.

The next social event will be the annual barbecue on Saturday 10th September. As the final social event of the year we hope there will be a good turn out of members and indeed anyone wishing to come along. If you would like to come please let us know to assist catering.

First title of the season goes to Boys team

This season's first title goes to Grove's Junior boys team who have won the section E league. It is great credit to the youngsters, as last year they really struggled, but they have persevered and come out this year's champions.

The title is all the more satisfying as it is the first fruits of the coaching programme set up last season by club coach Ifty Patel. It is hoped that the programme will continue to develop young players and help those with "rusty rackets" to return to the game and once more enjoy both the health and social benefits to be gained from club membership.

Credit must also be given to Fash Safdari who has done all the background work for the team that often goes unseen but is always essential. Fash, whose son Tom is a member of the team, is obviously very excited by the win, but is generous in his credit to the members of the team ,under the captaincy of Pedro Ballester. The boys finished the season having won 5, drawn 2 and losing just 1 game.

When the members of the team return from holiday we will publish a photo of them on the Blog.
They will receive their trophy at the Huddersfield & District Tennis League AGM to be held on Monday 12th September at Longley Tennis Club at 7.30 pm.

Well done to all involved and hoping their performance will be matched by the men's team, who are currently riding high in Division 4 of the senior league.

Next season it is planned to enter a second team in the league, but we need a few more men players. Anyone interested please post a comment on this site and we will be in touch