Club of the week THIS WEEK: CRAIG-Y-DON COMMUNITY TENNIS CLUB
WHEN and where was the club formed and who by?
There were tennis courts in Craig-y-Don, Llandudno as far back as 1885.
Our club was first established in 1935, and renamed in 2007 as Craig-y-Don Community Tennis Club to reflect our ethos of being accessible to all in the local community.
In 1931, James C Parke, a Llandudno solicitor, was active in the establishment of our present Queens Road location next to the Community Centre. Born in Ireland, he was a World, Olympic and Davis Cup champion no less. Even in 1920 at the age of 39, Parke was ranked No 4 in the world. WHAT are the courts like?
We have six all-weather courts, four have floodlights we play all year round. IS there any age limit for joining?
This year Walter our oldest player decided he would hang up his racket. He‘s 93 and was still playing until very recently. Our youngest player is aged four. Tennis is a great game that all the family can enjoy together. Members get a range of benefits that include free membership of the Lawn Tennis Association, equipment discounts and inclusion in the Wimbledon ticket draw – and of course the courts are free to use. WHAT sessions are available?
There are regular club sessions, on Saturday and Wednesday mornings all from 10am. In the evenings at 6pm on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday.
On Thursday mornings at 10am our seniors fight it out on court then retire to our club room for donuts and tea.
We will also be running some wheelchair tennis sessions in July and August. WHAT if you are a bit of a novice at the game? Are learners welcome and do you offer any coaching?
Our coach Craig Stock would be happy to assist any player and you don’t need to be a club member.
Craig is running junior sessions from 4pm until 5pm on Tuesdays and 4pm until 6pm on Thursdays.
Summer camps are due to start on Monday, July 20, for four weeks. DO you have teams that play in a league?
There are two men’s teams and one ladies team playing for our club in the North Wales League as well as mixed doubles cup teams. DO you offer taster sessions before I decide to pay for a membership?
It’s always a bit of a daunting prospect looking to join a club but you will find us a very friendly and welcoming crowd. We always encourage prospective members to visit our club sessions a few times first.
Our local primary schools have benefited from visits by Craig our coach to run in-school sessions. WHAT about social events?
The club has run several free family oriented open days encouraging parents and children to get hitting some tennis balls, the most recent last Sunday.
These have been an outstanding success especially Kristina’s strawberries and cream cakes afterwards. The next one takes place on Sunday, August 2. WANT to know more?
For more details please take a look at the website craigydontennis.co.uk or send an email to info@ craigydontennis.co.uk or you can follow on Twitter @CYDTennis
For more information on the coaching sessions please e-mail Craig at craig@ltctennis.co.uk
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