Bright Future at Knutsford Tennis Club
We’re always looking for ways to improve our member experience, and after feedback on our current floodlight system, the Tennis Committee have agreed to change the way in which we charge for lighting the courts at the Club. From SUNDAY 1st DECEMBER 2024 there will be NO CHARGE for FLOODLIGHTS. (A full copy of this article with instructions is available on this link).
From that date, members will be able to turn on the lights for their court and won’t need tokens. There will be no light charge for attendance at Club Nights or other events that require lighting on the courts.
It is important that all members respect this very positive change and the Committee ask that they make every effort in keeping our electricity costs to a minimum by not leaving the lights on for longer than necessary on any court.
REMEMBER TO TURN THE LIGHTS OFF!
Members will be able to use the system by accessing the floodlight control box in the Club House. You’ll need the code 4587 to access the door. There are instructions above the box, and here’s an overview of how to work the system
• Select your court (see the diagram above the floodlight box)
• Add the time you think you need to your court by pressing the + button gently on the touchscreen
• At the end of your game, return to the control box and remove any time by pressing the – button in the same way. This will turn the floodlights off on your chosen court
• Remember Courts 6&7 only have one control for both sets of lights.
If anyone feels they need any further instruction Head Coach Mark will be happy to take you through it.
WHAT IF SOMEONE ELSE HAS THE COURT BOOKED AFTER YOU?
This applies to Courts 3, 4, 5, 6 & 7.
If you can see that someone else is about to use the court that you have just vacated (you can check on the Booker App), you’ll need to leave the lights on. If they are turned off, then the next members to use the court won’t have lights for 15 minutes as there is a WAIT TIME before they can be used again (these courts use older technology lighting). So, it’s important for everyone’s playing experience that we all work together on this!
The WAIT TIME does not apply to the lights Courts 1 & 2 which have newer LED lights. These court lights can be turned off without affecting any following booking.
It’s also important that members CANCEL COURTS at night that they are not using – otherwise we might be in a situation where we could waste valuable resources, costing the club money if the lights are left on and no one turns up. If you see a lit court with no players, please check this out!
The Committee decided that this is a positive change for the club, which will support our members to play even more tennis, and get the most out of their membership - but we absolutely need your support to ensure that we keep waste to a minimum if we are going to succeed and make this a more permanent part of how we run the Club.
We’d also like to stress that this is a trial, which we will monitor and review in April 2025 before the next AGM.
I’VE GOT TOKENS, WHAT DO I DO WITH THEM? We’d love them back! Any unused tokens remaining at the 1st December, Head Coach Mark will exchange them at the rate of £1 per token. This exchange service will be available for the month of December.
TOM JONES - COACHING
Tom Jones, a coach at Knutsford Tennis Club, has achieved his Level 4 Coaching Qualification with the LTA, passing with merit to further cement the quality of coaching available at Knutsford Tennis Club.
With the recent increase in popularity of the sport, Knutsford Tennis Club supports over 340 adults and juniors at a local level with its seven all weather floodlit courts and all year playing opportunities.
The growth has demanded an expansion to the coaching team at the club, led by Mark Airey and his Tennis Aces Team. Tom is a hugely popular and accomplished part of the coaching squad, and this qualification only emphasises his talent.
Tom joined Tennis Aces in September 2020 after playing competitively as a junior and decided to make tennis coaching in Cheshire his career following his A Levels. After starting at David Lloyd’s in Cheadle, Tom, having been coached by Mark as a junior, was an immediate choice when Mark was looking to expand the coaching provision at the club.
Tom said, “It was always my ambition to achieve my Level 4 Qualification, and now with Mark, we’ll be able to offer both members and non-members a great range of tennis opportunities at the club – from group sessions to one-to-one coaching”.
Mark Airey, who is the Director of Tennis Aces and Head Coach at Knutsford Tennis Club, added, “This is my 16th year at Knutsford Tennis Club, and I look forward to working with Tom on devising and offering new coaching and fitness sessions at the club for all levels of play.”
Bill Jackson, Chair of the club said, “As the only members-led tennis club in the town, we’re pleased that we can offer our members great coaching – allowing them to improve their game and enjoy their tennis.”
Knutsford Tennis Club continues to develop and implement the Club’s ambition, by offering excellence in every area of the tennis pathway to all ages and abilities in Knutsford and surrounding communities.
For more information on any aspect of Knutsford Tennis Club, please contact Jo Dooley at membership@knutsfordtennisclub.org.uk and for Coaching opportunities Head Coach - Mark Airey at tennisacesltd@gmail.com
NEW COMMITTEE MEMBER
The tennis committee are pleased that Sandie La Porta is joining our committee as Social Secretary. Over the coming weeks Sandie would welcome ideas on how we can boost our group social activity so please reach out to her in person or by email.
GUESTS
At Knutsford Tennis Club, we are keen for our members to bring guests onto the courts. It's a good way to get people playing and encourage new members.
All guests must be accompanied by a playing member and pay a £5pp visitor fee (£3pp for Juniors).
Payment can be made to club coach Mark Airey, a committee member or paid by direct bank transfer.
Due to our insurance requirements, we kindly ask that you email Membership@Knutsfordtennisclub.org.uk with the guest's details.
No one may be admitted as a guest on more than four occasions in any calendar year.
New prospective adult members are invited to play a couple of times without charge - please contact coach Mark Airey (07787 510702) to arrange the best session in which to participate.
The full conditions related to guests can be found on the following link Inviting Guests to Play Tennis and we ask that all members introducing guests read these conditions before they allow them to play.
