DO you fancy playing tennis in the top Devon divisions?
Look no further than Newton St Cyres Tennis Club! Despite the village having a resident population of under 1,000, its tennis club is thriving.
The ladies’ and mixed teams have been competing at the very top of the Devon leagues in recent years, with Ladies’ A narrowly missing out on winning the Division 1 trophy in 2021, and Mixed A nearly clinching the Division 1 Winter trophy in the same year.
The club then, unfortunately, lost a number of their key players and even had to withdraw their ladies’ and mixed A teams from the leagues altogether.
However, they are back and climbing through the ranks once again. The Mixed A has just been promoted to Division 1 of the East Devon Tennis League, the Ladies’ A has won Division 4 of the Exeter and District Tennis League and will play in Division 3 next summer, and the Men’s A team has been promoted to Division 4.
This year’s success coincides perfectly with the club’s 50th anniversary celebrations next June.
Newton St Cyres Tennis Club was started in 1975 by a small group of enthusiasts, though it wasn’t until 1977 that the courts were built and play could begin.
The two years between the first committee meeting on March 3, 1975 and the grand opening of the courts on June 21, 1977 was spent actively sourcing funds, applying for grants and coming up with all sorts of fundraising ideas.
These ranged from a sponsored ‘Knit In’, a discotheque, a jumble sale and a barbecue to a bingo, a wine and cheese evening and a stall at the local flower show.
All of this was carefully minuted in neat handwriting and stands as a witness to the community’s efforts as well as a historical record.
“Bingo to take place on Monday, April 5. Prizes were suggested as follows: 11 ducks, 11 chickens, 11 beef joints, 11 ribs of beef. The cost is estimated in the region of £20.”
“Flower Show: Mrs. L. to walk around with a doll, and people to guess the name for 5p a try. The winner will have the doll.”
Today, Newton St Cyres Tennis Club has 84 adult members and 32 juniors.
It boasts two recently resurfaced high-quality hard courts and a serene rural setting in the grounds of the Recreation Club.
There are several club sessions during the week for all levels, along with various regular group sessions organised by members. The junior coaching programme runs on Wednesday afternoons.
The club is affiliated to the Lawn Tennis Association, which means members can register for free British Tennis Membership, giving them access to the LTA ballot for Wimbledon tickets.
The club also has a ball machine, available to all members free of charge following induction.
More information can be found on the club’s website: www.newtonstcyrestennisclub.co.uk
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