Dear New Member,

Welcome to Hockley Lawn Tennis Club!

Thank you for choosing to join us. We value your membership and our aim is to provide you with many years of enjoyment both on and off court.

On court we offer a variety of different formats to suit your ability and preferences.  Whether it is singles, doubles, competitive or just simply social tennis, we will have something to meet your needs. Our fully qualified coach, Royston Kymberly is also available should you like some help to improve your game.

Away from the courts, the clubhouse offers excellent facilities with a friendly social atmosphere we hope you will enjoy. There are always various social activities being arranged which we hope yourself, family and friends will want to come along to.

Our aim is for new members to feel fully at home as soon as possible and you probably have a few questions regarding membership and what it offers. Paul Reeve is our primary contact point for new members and he will be in contact with you very soon to provide details of what goes on and when. In the meantime, the following pages in this welcome pack will hopefully answer some of your likely queries but if not, please feel free to give me a call.

Thanks again and welcome,

Yours faithfully

Paul Reeve
Membership Secretary
Tel (01268) 770324

New Members FAQ

'When can I use the courts?'
As a full-playing member you are entitled to use the courts at any time, up until 10.00pm, when they are not allocated for a specific activity such as Club matches, coaching, or tournaments. A court allocation schedule is displayed at the club and on our website and provides day-by-day details.

'Do I need to supply my own balls?'
Balls are supplied by the club and are available from the rack by the court doors. Please return the balls to this rack after use.

'Can I get access to the clubhouse?'
A clubhouse key can be obtained from Paul Reeve upon deposit of £5. Keys may not be handed to any non-member or to any member aged under-18.  Please make sure all external doors are locked if you are last to leave the Club.

'How do I find out about club activities?'
Advertisements for club organised activities, whether tennis or social, are posted on the various Notice Boards in the clubhouse.  Each is labelled: Committee, Tournaments, Social, and General. (These distinctions are not always observed, though, so it is as well to check all the notice boards from time to time)

'Where can I find the club rules?'
Club rules displayed on the Committee Notice Board.  You can also see them by accessing the HLTC website at www.hockleyltc.co.uk. Please ensure that you are familiar with them. A personal copy may be obtained from the Club Secretary if desired.

'When do the Social Tennis sessions take place?'
Regular sessions take place throughout the week (please see the enclosed social tennis posters).  Please come along and meet other club members. Additional sessions take place on some weekday evenings in the Summer months when the courts are not booked for tournament or inter-club matches. Please refer to the Court Allocations sheet and check the notice boards for these times.

'I’ve heard about Fixed Fours. What are they and how can I join in?'
Fixed Fours take place on weekday evenings from October until March with sessions starting at 7.00pm and 8.30pm. They allow a group of four or more players to have their own fixed playing sessions. You may form your own four or seek to join another one as a player or reserve.  A booking sheet for winter fixed fours is posted on the tennis notice board at the end of the summer.

'Does the club have its own internal tournaments?'
We currently run three tournaments throughout the year, Summer, Winter and an Autumn Handicap tournament. The tournaments offer a variety of formats, singles, doubles, U21, etc. Please see the club notice board for more information.

'Can I book a court in advance?'
Advance bookings can only be made for tournament matches. Please use the court booking sheets in the Clubhouse, and avoid any times set aside for social or other specific tennis activities.

'I would like to get involved in inter-club matches. How do I do this?'
The Club enters a variety of teams at various levels in summer and winter leagues. If you wish to be considered then speak to the Leigh & Westcliff Match Secretary or the Men’s/Ladies Team Captains.

'When can juniors use the courts?'
Junior members have an equal right to use the courts when not specifically set aside for Senior play. Junior Coaching has exclusive use of the courts on Saturday mornings year-round and on Monday evenings from 5.00 pm in the summer. Juniors also have exclusive use of the courts on Summer Wednesdays from 4.30 pm to 6.30 pm. and when junior inter-club matches are to be played (see court booking sheets). Mini Tennis courses also run from 4.00 pm on some weekdays. Between 4.00 pm and 7.00 pm some Junior/Mini tennis activity may be expected. Refer also to the Court Allocations sheet displayed in the clubhouse and our website.

'Can I bring a non-member along to play or just to socialise at the bar?'
Non-members are always welcome as social guests but must be signed-in our visitors book located in the bar area. Likewise tennis visitors are welcome subject to the restrictions placed upon the number of times they may play and payment of the Visitor’s fee (see Rules). A £5 fee (£2 for juniors) should also be collected in the case of playing visitors and passed to a committee member as soon as convenient.

'How do I find out about the organised social activities?'
These are regular, and advertised on the `Social` notice board. All are welcome. Details may also appear on our website.

'I would like to get more involved in the club and help out?'
As a members` club, all the tennis and social activities are run by volunteer members.  Your support will always be appreciated.

'Who are the committee?'
Please see the committee members page. Please feel free to contact anyone on the list. We are here to help you.

THE HLTC COACH - Royston Kymberly 

Royston has Fully Certified Qualifications from:LTA, RPT, ITA, MTCA, ICI, and the famous Bollettieri Academy in Florida.

Royston has over 20 years experience in coaching and has coached players from all levels of the game.  He is Executive Director of The ITA (International Tennis Academy UK) and he Heads the Elite Tennis Academy UK at the Deanes Sports College, Benfleet. These two organisations play a big part in the directive of HLTC’s Junior Coaching and player development program.  Our coaching uses a system that nurtures natural ability and also offers a progressive pathway to whatever level the player wants to achieve.  Please see chart below:

All levels are addressed at HLTC, and although the coaching places its emphasis on the clubs juniors, Royston has put together a full coaching team that caters to junior beginners, improvers, high performance players and adults alike.  He can be contacted on 07886457378 for more information.