Tennis

Founded in 1967, Codicote Tennis Club now has close on 200 members, a significant growth in the last ten years as the Club has sought to ‘re-invent’ itself as a Club that needs to exist on a number of levels for its members. Whilst there is a strong commitment to increasing competitive opportunities for those who wish to play competitive tennis, a separate programme exists to encourage more social members.

This policy provides a fully integrated and holistic approach to tennis rather than a fragmented and, potentially, clique forming group.

Competitions in which Codicote Tennis Club take part include:

In addition to this there are some highly participative Club Championships (Men’s Singles, Men’s Doubles, Ladies Singles, Ladies Doubles, Mixed Doubles as well as several Junior competitions) which take place from May onwards and culminate in Finals Day which is held in September.

It is in the area of junior play, however, that greatest progress has been seen (both Singles champions and at least one player in each of the winning doubles pairs was under the age of 16 in 2009!). Away from internal Club competitions, the entry of junior teams and individuals into local and national competitions has increased significantly in recent years.

SUSTAINABILITY

The sustaining and growth of Codicote Tennis Club is an absolute priority and is managed by the Club Committee that is elected every January at the Annual General Meeting.

The Committee has grown in recent years to reflect both the diversity of the membership and to provide a more focused service to both the existing membership and the village in general. Equally, effective delegation of responsibility has led to a club that is seen by its membership as pro-active, responsive to need, creative and focused on the improvement of opportunities for all.

The physical infrastructure of the Club has improved considerably in the last few years with a third court being built and floodlights being provided - both with the support of the Lawn Tennis Association with whom the Club works very closely. However, the Club also has to make use of other club’s facilities (courts are hired on a weekly basis at Gosling Tennis Centre in Welwyn Garden City) to ensure that the demand for competitive tennis is met.

Consequently it is likely that there wil be increased pressure for a fourth tennis court in the short-to-medium term to satisfy demand for both social and competitive play.

Of equal importance in sustaining the Club, and indeed growing it, is the existence of a comprehensive coaching programme which exists with a strong working relationship with Over & In, a coaching organisation that provides overall infrastructure at all levels for smaller clubs.

EXCEL

In the last six years Codicote has seen considerable success winning numerous leagues as well as the men’s First Team having been promoted for four successive years in the Hertfordshire League. In addition, there are three nationally ranked junior players.

In 2009, the Club formally achieved Clubmark status, the LTA badge of tennis excellence, and this, together with a social outreach programme into local schools and the wider community, provides a particular emphasis on the ongoing development of junior players, notably in the provision of Mini-Tennis which identifies and ecourages players from a very young age.

It would be fair to say that the overall aim and objective of the Club is to ensure that it can be, as much as possible, all things to all people, being proactive in providing an infrastructure within which the Club can grow, develop and excel whilst also being reactive to both the ongoing needs and wishes of new members.

This encompasses competitive players of all standards, those who wish to take part in more social play, those who wish to increase their skills as part of either team or individual coaching programmes and, of equal importance, to provide a valuable social and sporting alternative within the village community.

Of course, the attainment of all of these goals essentially are reliant on a number of key factors, namely management, finance, enthusiasm and partnership. We believe that the current Tennis Club Committee is a vibrant and proactive body who have the necessary drive to attain these objectives although it should be equally stressed that, as mentioned, the Committee is also an evolutionary body which is electable on an annual basis to allow ‘new blood’ can be appointed at regular intervals.

Ultimately, Codicote Tennis Club see itself at the beginning of the next phase of development in terms of facilities, infrastructure, skills and growth and looks forward to the challenge that these aims will bring.