The Clubhouse has been closed, the nets have been lifted and the winter treatment’s been carried out. HLTC has definitely been put to bed for the winter – but what a fantastic year 2024 has been.
Following the election of a new committee in Oct 2023, a re-vamp of HLTC’s social media presence was undertaken and in Jan 2024 promotional flyers were delivered to every house in the village, detailing the plan for the resurgence of HLTC. The momentum continued with our well attended “Ground Force” day, when 25 adults & children spent the day at HLTC tidying, chopping, cutting back & cleaning – resulting in a court perimeter which was no longer overgrown, a bbq area which was weed free with repaired fencing and a gleaming clubhouse interior!
The year continued with much needed court treatments undertaken by Green Thumb and the creation of the fabulous “Mowing Men” group – who tirelessly, twice weekly mowed the courts and maintained the white lines. Well done all.
An important part of the HLTC was coaching and wanting to make sure that as many children and adults had an opportunity to “have a go”. We are very fortunate to have Kevin Tighe in the village, an LTA accredited coach, who rose to this challenge and organised and ran many, many coaching sessions for Adults & Children throughout the season. The Club Spark Booking System enabled easy access to court bookings and Club Adult sessions took place Tues/Wed/Sun with a Kids only session on Fridays.
Of course, no tennis club can operate without some form of social events and HLTC is no different! Three busy & successful socials – an Opening Social held in May, a Coaching Celebration for the children in July and a very welcome return to the Franks Annual Club Tournament held in September. It was wonderful to see the newly purchased Men’s Trophy and the original Ladies Cup being presented once more after an interval of several years.
The season ended with 48 memberships comprising 153 members (adults & children) and whilst this is a healthy number we are hoping to improve on that figure in 2025. If you sign up before the end of 2024 you will pay the 2024 season price of £40 single or £60 family but this will increase from 1 Jan 2025 to £50 single and £70 family.
It’s heartening to see the club going from strength to strength, but this has only happened due to the hard work and commitment of the small HLTC committee, chaired by the determined Lisa Johnston, the LTA and Milton Estates, who both provided HLTC with grant funding and Helpston Parish Council who gave a substantial contribution to enable us to purchase a new Men’s Trophy.
So what are you waiting for? Just visit clubspark.lta.org.uk/helpston and join us now. HLTC is a friendly, inclusive club right in the heart of Helpston. You’ll regret it if you don’t!
