Tennis club wins Sheffield club of the year

By Edward Elliot

 

A TENNIS club which provides free coaching to children capped a successful season by being awarded Sheffield’s top trophy.

 

Stocksbridge Tennis Club received the Sheffield and District Club of the Year at the district’s annual dinner on Friday, November 11, where they also collected trophies for winning the Men's Fifth Division and the Late Summer Men's First Division.
 

Martin Jackson, club chairman, was then presented with the award at his 60th birthday party the following evening by head coach Chris Annable.

A surprised and proud Mr Jackson praised club members for their role in achieving the title, as well as Stocksbridge Town Council for supporting summer schemes introducing youngsters to tennis.

“The club prides itself on playing as many adult teams as possible to give all members the opportunity to play in teams,” Mr Jackson said.

“Coach Chris Annable has inspired many youngsters to play more and helped motivate and improve older players.

“Some of those youngsters are now senior club players and are also coaching a new wave of youngsters.”

On the court, the Men’s A team strolled to the Fifth Division summer title with eight wins from nine before pipping Graves A to the Late Summer Men’s championship at the end of September.


Bob Buxton, president of Sheffield and District LTA, who presented the honour, told guests it reflected Stocksbridge’s efforts in encouraging and promoting tennis, as well as their on-court successes.

He said: “Apart from winning two titles, Stocksbridge were one of the first clubs in the area to achieve Clubmark status [a quality standard for clubs with junior sections].

“They have an extensive coaching set-up for a relatively small club, have increased the number of teams competing in the last few years, both senior and junior, and have provided free tennis for youngsters in the summer holidays by obtaining funding assistance from the local council.”

 

The club, on Linden Crescent, overcame competition from 38 other clubs in the district to secure the award at the ceremony at Baldwins Omega restaurant in Ecclesall.

 

Mr Annable, who also coaches at a number of other clubs in the region, said he was delighted to be involved with a family-orientated club that was now being rewarded for years of hard work.

 

He said: “We may not have the facilities or funding of other clubs in the area but members more than make up for it with enthusiasm and hard work.”

 

“Stocksbridge is now getting its reward for this hard work and I feel privileged to be involved with such a great little club and its equally great members.”

The club welcomes men and women of all ages and abilities. For more information visit stocksbridgetennisclub.org.uk or call Mr Jackson on 0114 288 8462.