Nailsworth Tennis Club

The club was formed back in 1989 by taking out a 21 year Lease with the then Nailsworth Boys’ Club to convert a patch of semi-waste ground behind the club into two quality courts. Over the years, thanks to grants and members’ own fund-raising activities, many improvements have been made – floodlights have been added, a small clubhouse constructed and the facilities maintained to a high standard. In 2010, a new Lease was signed, giving the club stability for the foreseeable future.

From the start, the club has been as inclusive as possible and it currently has over 60 members from a wide variety of backgrounds – united only by their love of playing tennis. From humble beginnings, the club is now very well-represented at different levels in the Gloucestershire League with 3 Men’s and 3 Ladies’ teams and also Mixed teams in the Stroud Winter League, the Sunday League and the Painswick League. From a competitive point of view, the club’s finest achievement perhaps came in 2009 with the winning of the County Men’s Premier Division trophy.

Junior tennis has also had its successes. Many teenagers have graduated to playing in the senior teams and some have gone on to greater things elsewhere. Phil Sims, the Club Coach, runs very popular coaching classes for young people and teams have been successful in the Mini-Orange League for 9 – 10 year olds. The next potential improvement - to create a Kidszone with mini-courts on the hard-standing area next to the current courts – is hindered only by the lack of available funding.

Socially, the club is a great way of meeting other people. Club tournaments take place and social events such as dinners, theatre-visits and other fund-raising activities are arranged. In 2009, the club took part in the Nailsworth Festival, celebrating its 20th Anniversary by staging an ‘Edwardian Wimbledon’, an event that attracted large numbers of spectators. The club’s contribution to the community of Nailsworth was recognised in 2010 when the Mayor’s Sporting Achievement trophy was awarded to the Club Chairman, Mark Peer.

The club is affiliated to the Lawn Tennis Association and is non profit-making, with subscriptions being kept as low as is feasible and in line with other tennis clubs in the area. Though completely independent from NYCE, the two organizations share the general aim of encouraging the development of young people through their participation in worthwhile physical activity. A representative of the club sits on the NYCE Committee and junior members of the club are affiliated to NYCE. All members have access to the newly refurbished toilets in the Subscription Rooms.

The club always welcomes new members of whatever age and whatever playing standard. From March until September, Tuesday is Men’s club night, Wednesday Ladies club night and Thursday mixed club night. In the summer Tuesday and Wednesday are often used for league matches but Thursday is always a club night and the courts are well-used at weekends. From October to February, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday are all mixed club nights. Every weekday afternoon 4 – 6 pm, priority is given to juniors.

Adult player enquiries to Sarah Rind (Secretary), Windrush, Hay Lane, Horsley, GL6 0QD
Tel: 01453 832964
Email: srind84620@aol.com

Junior player enquiries to Phil Sims (Club Coach), Bankhouse, 13 Whitecroft, Nailsworth GL6 0NS
Tel: 01453 834903
Email: sims123@btinternet.com