Sydenham Tennis Club

Wine Tasting Evening – Friday 14 March 2025
The wine tasting evening in conjunction with Kenrick’s Wines in Sydenham is happening this Friday, so please come along – the more the merrier. The bar/clubhouse will open from 6.30pm with the tasting evening starting around 7.00pm in the clubhouse, and there will be some nibbles available to keep you going.
Tickets are still on sale at £15 per person. Please email me if you are interested and I’ll send you full details and how to book.

Club Teams
A new feature of the newsletter over the summer will be to provide results of all Club teams from the previous week. There will be twelve tennis teams participating in Kent & North Kent leagues plus, for the first time in several years, a squash team.
The Winter season is just coming to an end – congratulations to our Women’s 1, Men’s 4 and Men’s Veterans teams, who all won their respective divisions. The Women’s team face a play-off against Bromley LTC 2 for the Kent Division 3 title this weekend. 

Club Manager Hours
I will be available at the Club the following hours this coming weekend: Friday from 0900-1800, Saturday 0900-1500, and Sunday 0900-1330. During these times you can obtain drinks & snacks from the bar, as well as balls & accessories, and hire the Slinger ball machine.

Dez Lewington
Club Manager
Contact – dez.lewington@sltcc.co.uk

Continue Reading

A few things coming up…

International Women’s Day – Saturday 8 March 2025
As part of International Women’s Day, the Club will be holding an open afternoon tomorrow from 1.00-3.00pm to encourage more female participation in our sport.
If any member has female family or friends interested in trying out tennis, please bring them along for a hit. Rackets can be supplied if required.
Some tennis committee members will be on hand too to show them the ropes. The bar will be open for refreshments, and I’ll be around to explain what opportunities are available to continue playing at the Club.

American Mixed Doubles Tournament & Burger Night – Friday 21 March 2025
A few places are now available for the rescheduled tournament. In American Doubles you will play a game of mixed doubles for 15 minutes before everything changes – the court you play on, the opposing team, and even your doubles partner! Starts at 6.45pm.
All playing categories are welcome to take part. The bar will be open for family and supporters, as well as afterwards for the competitors, and the Burger pop up will be on site from 6.00pm. Cost – £8. Please contact me to enter.

Table Tennis Tournament – Sunday 6 April 2025
We’re looking to run a fun table tennis tournament in the clubhouse hall on the above date, starting at 10.30am. Please let us know if you would like to play, as we want to gauge interest first before deciding on a format. 

Club Manager Hours
I will be available at the Club the following hours between 8-14 March: Saturday from 0900-1500, Sunday 0900-1200, Monday 0900-1800, and Friday 0900-1800. During these times you can obtain drinks & snacks from the bar, as well as balls & accessories, and hire the Slinger ball machine.

Dez Lewington
Club Manager
Contact – dez.lewington@sltcc.co.uk

Continue Reading

Entry is now open for the annual Club tournaments, which will run over spring/summer.

The Racketball tournament will also run alongside Squash and Tennis this year – Finals Day will be Saturday 13 September 2025. Please note that some tennis finals may be played on the evening of Friday 12 September.

The following tennis events will be held this year:
Men’s Open Singles
Women’s Open Singles
Men’s Open Doubles
Women’s Open Doubles
Open Mixed Doubles
Men’s 40 & Over Singles
Women’s 45 & Over Singles
Men’s 55 & Over Singles
Men’s 65 & Over Singles – new event
60 & Over Mixed Doubles
Roger De Klerk Memorial Mixed Doubles Trophy for Wednesday evening club players

Plus:
Open Squash Singles
Open Racketball Singles

Again, there will be a Plate competition in the racketball, squash and tennis Open singles events for players who lose their first scheduled match. Hopefully, this will encourage even more of you to enter!

Entry is free, but you MUST be available to play on Finals Day to enter, and also Friday 12 September evening for tennis tournaments. Remember that you can only enter events that are covered by your membership, e.g. Squash only members cannot enter tennis events and vice versa. 

You will find full tournament rules in the Members area of the website, in the clubhouse foyer, and squash court corridor. It is very important that you read the scoring format for each event.

The Club reserves the right to cancel an event if there are insufficient entries.

Please contact me for more information on any of the above

Dez Lewington
Club Manager
Contact – dez.lewington@sltcc.co.uk 

Continue Reading

Play Your Way To Wimbledon Tournament – Saturday 12 April 2025
This year’s ‘Play Your Way To Wimbledon’ tournament will be held on the above date. The event will take place all on one day from 10.30-3.30pm. There is a Men’s & Women’s doubles competition in a short set format.
Entry is open to anyone 19+ years (born before 2006) and with a World Tennis Number (WTN) between 25.0-40.9. You will find your WTN when you login to your LTA home page here by clicking on MyGame.
The LTA have adjusted the WTN bandings to make the competition more appealing and inviting to recreational players, particularly those who might not normally consider entering a competition, as it restricts stronger players being able to enter.
Winners go forward to a regional event with the chance to qualify for the Finals at the All England Club! Please contact me if you want to enter, or if you have any queries about your WTN. Entry fee – £15 per pair. 

Serving Clinic – Friday 28 March 2025
Luis is now going to support Toby with the serving clinic, so we can open up more spaces. This will be another intensive coaching session to develop and practice your serving skills from 7.00-8.00pm on the above date. Contact toby.yates@sltcc.co.uk for more information.

Club Manager Hours
I will be available at the Club the following hours between 3-9 March: Monday from 0900-1030, Friday 1300-1600, Saturday 0900-1500, and Sunday 0900-1330. During these times you can obtain drinks & snacks from the bar, as well as balls & accessories, and hire the Slinger ball machine.

Dez Lewington
Club Manager
Contact – dez.lewington@sltcc.co.uk

Continue Reading

Environmental Sustainability
Many thanks to those who attended the meeting last week and have now formed the Eco/Sustainability group to look into possibilities at the Club. You will find the updated Club Environmental Sustainability Plan here.
A couple of things that came from the meeting was a reminder to members that there are two tennis ball recycling points – one in the clubhouse foyer and one outside the squash courts entrance – and a compost area to the side of the workshop by court 6, which members are welcome to take from.
We’ll keep you up to date with future developments, and any member can email me with any further thoughts.

The Forest Within 
You may remember that Club member Pete Wyer was offering a member discount to the UK premiere of his immersive sound installation last year, which had to be cancelled. He says:
Dear all – loads of you very kindly signed up for The Forest Within in the Autumn… then I went and broke a finger quite badly and had to postpone, so I’m really delighted to finally announce new dates: March 27th – April 6th 2025 at St. Stephen’s in Dulwich. I really hope you’ll pop along!

Club Manager Hours
I will be available at the Club the following hours between 24 February – 2 March: Monday from 0900-1030, Tuesday 0900-1200, Friday 0900-1500, Saturday 0900-1500, and Sunday 0900-1500. During these times you can obtain drinks & snacks from the bar, as well as balls & accessories, and hire the Slinger ball machine.

Dez Lewington
Club Manager
Contact – dez.lewington@sltcc.co.uk

Continue Reading

American Doubles Tournament & Burger Night – Friday 21 February 2025
Unfortunately, due to the weather forecast, the above events have been cancelled. The bar won’t be open now tonight so the table tennis won’t be available in the hall.
The American Doubles is rescheduled for Friday 21 March, so let me know if you’re interested in case anyone drops out. We’re hoping that the Burger pop up will be available that night or, if not, for the Serving Clinic evening below.

Wine Tasting Evening – Friday 14 March 2025
Remember to let me know if you want more information about the wine tasting. We need at least 20 people to make the event work. The evening will start at 7.00pm in the clubhouse – organised in conjunction with Kenrick’s Wines in Sydenham.
Tickets will go on sale at £15 this weekend. Please email me if you are interested and I’ll send you full details and how to book.

Serving Clinic – Friday 28 March 2025
There are still a couple of places left for Toby’s intensive coaching session to develop and practice your serving skills. Session runs from 7.00-8.00pm. Contact toby.yates@sltcc.co.uk for more information.

Dez Lewington
Club Manager
Contact – dez.lewington@sltcc.co.uk

Continue Reading

Burger Night – Friday 21 February 2025
A reminder that the MEAT+BREAD burger pop up will be on site Friday evening from 6.00pm. The bar will be open serving a fresh batch of Xtra Pale Ale from BR3WERY, as well as our usual refreshments. Table tennis will be set up in the hall too, so why not make an evening of it at the Club.

Wine Tasting Evening – Friday 14 March 2025
For the first time in a while, we’ll be holding a wine tasting evening in conjunction with Kenrick’s Wines in Sydenham. The evening will start at 7.00pm in the clubhouse.
Tickets will go on sale at £15 this weekend. Please email me if you are interested and I’ll send you full details and how to book.

Serving Clinic – Friday 28 March 2025
After the popularity of the last serving clinic, Toby will be leading another intensive coaching session to develop and practice your serving skills from 7.00-8.00pm on the above date. Contact toby.yates@sltcc.co.uk for more information.

Dez Lewington
Club Manager
Contact – dez.lewington@sltcc.co.uk

Continue Reading

Meetings – Tuesday 18 February 
A reminder about two Club meetings for any interested members this week…
The Fundraising meeting will start at 7.00pm for anyone has experience of funding opportunities, or is keen to help out with ideas. We now have two projects in development – the new tennis court and conversion/updating of the squash court building – where fundraising, both externally and internally, will help us move forward.
The Eco/Sustainability meeting has been re-arranged to start at 8.30pm on the same night. This introductory meeting will discuss what things are already being undertaken and to find out what issues are of concern and interest. 
Please let me know if you want to attend either meeting and anything in particular that you want to discuss.

International Women’s Day – Saturday 8 March 2025
As part of International Women’s Day, the Club will be holding an open afternoon to encourage more female participation in our sport. If any member has family or friends interested in trying out tennis, some of our tennis committee members will be on hand from 1.00-3.00pm to show them the ropes.

Club Tournament Finals Day – Saturday 13 September 2025
Finally, a quick heads up that the annual Club Tournament Finals Day has been scheduled for Saturday 13 September this year. Full details of the events and deadlines for entry will go out shortly so keep an eye out.

Club Manager Hours
I will be available at the Club the following hours between 17-23 February: Monday from 0900-1500, Tuesday 1800-2100, Friday 0900-2100, Saturday 0900-1500, and Sunday 0900-1330. During these times you can obtain drinks & snacks from the bar, as well as balls & accessories, and hire the Slinger ball machine.

Dez Lewington
Club Manager
Contact – dez.lewington@sltcc.co.uk

Continue Reading

Fundraising Meeting – Tuesday 18 February 
In the survey towards the end of last year, several members expressed an interest in helping with fundraising at the Club. We now have two projects in development – the new tennis court and conversion/updating of the squash court building – where fundraising, both externally and internally, will help us move forward.
A meeting has been arranged for Tuesday 18 February at 7.00pm in the clubhouse. If anyone has experience of funding opportunities, or is keen to help out with ideas, let me know if you want to attend and anything in particular that you want to discuss.

American Mixed Doubles Tournament – Friday 21 February 2025
A fun tournament where you will play a game of mixed doubles for 15 minutes before everything changes – the court you play on, the opposing team, and even your doubles partner! Starts at 6.45pm.
There are still a few spaces left, and all playing categories are welcome to take part. The bar will be open for family and supporters, as well as afterwards for the competitors, and the Burger pop up will be on site from 6.00pm. Cost – £8. Please contact me to enter.

Club Manager Hours
I will be available at the Club the following hours between 10-16 February: Monday from 0900-1200, Friday 0900-1930, Saturday 0900-1500, and Sunday 0900-1500. During these times you can obtain drinks & snacks from the bar, as well as balls & accessories, and hire the Slinger ball machine.

Dez Lewington
Club Manager
Contact – dez.lewington@sltcc.co.uk

Continue Reading

Eco/Sustainability Meeting – Tuesday 4 February 
In the survey towards the end of last year, several members expressed an interest in Eco/Sustainability matters at the Club. A meeting has been arranged for Tuesday 4 February at 7.00pm in the clubhouse.
The introductory meeting will discuss what things are already being undertaken and to find out what issues are of concern and interest. Please let me know if you want to attend and anything in particular that you want to discuss.

Thursday Tennis Club Play
A reminder that there is now a regular tennis club play session on Thursday afternoon from 1.30-3.30pm on courts 3, 4 & 5, which is open to all members. Balls are provided. 

Club Manager Hours
I will be available at the Club the following hours between 3-9 February: Monday from 0900-1500, Tuesday 1330-2100, Friday 0900-1630, Saturday 0900-1500, and Sunday 0900-1500. During these times you can obtain drinks & snacks from the bar, as well as balls & accessories, and hire the Slinger ball machine.

.Dez Lewington
Club Manager
Contact – dez.lewington@sltcc.co.uk

Continue Reading