Author: Wythall Tennis Club
Adventure into PickleBall
Currently we are offering Pickle Ball sessions as tasters. Our FREE sessions on 28th November 2025 were a great success. Thank you to everyone who attended. To follow this we have decided to provide more sessions.
Within these sessions all your equipment will be provided and a pickle ball coach will be on hand. If you would like to attend any of our sessions please book using the form below. We are offering afternoon and evening sessions, each lasting 1 Hour. The cost per session is only £5 (cash only).
Lloyd and Julian Wimbledon Champions 2025
This years Wimbledon featured Ex-Junior member Lloyd Glasspool. He played in the Men’s Doubles with partner Julian Cash. The pairing worked incredibly well within the championships this year making headline news as the first all British pairing to WIN the Men’s Doubles title at Wimbledon in the Open Era.
In the final the British pair were against Australia’s Rinky Hijikata and Netherland’s David Pel an unseeded pair. Lloyd and Julian were seeded 5th and defeated the unseeded pairing 6-2 7-6 in the final.
This WIN became historic as Lloyd and Julian became the first British pair to lift the Men’s Doubles trophy at Wimbledon since 1936! A massive congratluations to them both.
Our Chairman, Kevin Turner has recently been interviewed by The Redditch Standard about Lloyds Championship win. You can read the full article on their website: https://redditchstandard.co.uk/sport/tennis-wythall-tennis-club-chairman-hails-lloyd-glasspools-wimbledon-win-as-proud-moment/
After speaking to Kevin myself, I can say he is incredibly proud of Lloyd’s win and knew he had talent from a young age when he was a part of your junior coaching programs.
Open Day and Spa Day WINNER!
We held an open day on Sunday 22nd June 2025 during the Wythall and Hollywood Fun Run. We hoped to raise awareness of our tennis club and attract new members. Thank you to everyone who attended our event and entered our Spa Day competition.
Our head coach, Les was on hand to provide all things tennis as well as a demonstration of VI (visually impaired) Tennis from Stewart Flisher (LTA coach, in wheelchair and visually impaired tennis) in support of ‘Sight Concern Worcestershire’.
This morning we have conducted the prize draw and a winner was picked at random. CONGRATULATIONS to Pete Williams, you are our WINNER. Hope you enjoy your relaxing Spa Day on behalf of WTC.
Lastly, we would like to say a HUGE THANK YOU to our amazing volunteers for giving up their spare time in helping our tennis club. We appreciate your time and effort made. Also, to WCA for hosting such a brilliant Fun Run event for all to attend.
Charity Tournament 2025
Our Charity American Tournament dated 13th April 2025 was a brilliant day. We raised a total of £95 for Wythall Animal Sanctuary. Thank you to all the members who took part and donated.
Wythall Animal Sanctuary are a registered, independent charity who have been looking after and rehoming animals for over 50 years. They are a non-destruct sanctuary, keeping animals for as long as is needed until they find their forever homes, or occasionally for the entirety of their lives. They rely solely on donations and are grateful to all of their supporters who regularly donate funds, goods and their time to help the cause.
Wythall Animal Sanctuary was founded by Dave and Kath Davies, a couple who devoted their lives to caring for animals in need. They moved to this Wythall site in 1963, when needing more room after rescuing a horse who was found to be pregnant. They then started taking in and helping more and more animals, and in 1968 they applied to become a charity. The Sanctuary has now been running for over 50 years and still works to the same values: “to shelter and help rehome as many animals as we can”.
Over the years there has been many different species come through their doors, though now they primarily focus on dogs, cats, rabbits and guinea pigs, and they also have their 2 resident ponies.
You can donate to Wythall Animal Sanctuary on their website: https://www.wythallanimalsanctuary.org/wythall-donations
Our finalists for the Charity Tournament were James and Susan Vs Ethan and Jo. This was a close match and it’s lovely to see our intermediate/improved juniors taking part. The Winners were James and Susan (Score: 6-5). Congratulations 
Car Parking Changes at Wythall
As some of you may have heard, a new parking system will be starting from 31st March 2025 onwards. This is implemented by Wythall Community Association. Please see below the changes and benefits for the tennis club:
The information communicated to the tennis committee explains that they are removing the £0.50 charge for 2 hours. They are keeping the £1.00 charge for 4 hours. The parking system will be operating in a 24/7 format. Within Wythall Community Club there will be tablets to enter your vehicle registration number if you are using their facilities within the bar area.
As the new system starts on 31st March 2025, you will have to pay the new pricing communicated on the new signs if you are using their car park. If any tennis club member has a concession, this will not be continued. If you already have a paid permit, then the new price will be reflected after your current permit expiry date.
The charge rates, as of 31st March 2025 will be:
- Up to 4 hours = £1.00
- Up to 8 hours = £2.00
- Up to 24 hours = £4.00
I am pleased to announce there has been an agreement with Wythall Community Association for the Tennis Club and other constituent groups on the park to have a discounted annual rate. This is very appreciative of all and if you would like to take advantage of the Tennis Club’s discount, then your application form must be filled in full to our Membership Secretary. The form will be available upon request.
If you have any other questions please see Wythall Community Association Website here: https://wythall-park.org.uk/car-parking-charges/
2025 Membership Renewal
2025 Membership Renewal. Whether you are a full member, a junior or someone who plays occasionally, this is the club for you. Our aim is to encourage people of all ages and levels of experience to have the opportunity to enjoy their tennis.
Your committee has a new look for 2025! After 9yrs Karin Vale is standing down as treasurer and Chris Maggs resigned as chair after 8yrs. I want to express my gratitude to both Chris and Karin for their outstanding service to the club. Fortunately, Chris remains on the committee as treasurer with me becoming Chair. We welcome Bob Wright and Hilary Finnis who have joined the committee. Bob will lead the maintenance team while Hilary already has ideas in development for 2025.
One major challenge for 2025 is how we attract more members, adults and juniors alike. Les Swaby, our Head Coach is keen to partner with our local schools. We don’t only attract children from these initiatives, but it is proven parents either want to try tennis or return to the sport. My target is having club nights and Sunday afternoon socials returning to be the robust sessions we are used to.
Below is our membership renewal form for 2025. The committee have agreed not to raise fees this year, but you may be aware we have had to change the lock on the Clubhouse Door recently and that also means new keys/an additional costs for getting them cut. We have therefore added an extra £4 per key to the renewal amount as a one-off for this year. Many of you will already have received a new key but if you have not then please contact myself, Karin or Bob Wright to obtain one when you have renewed.
Please also note a slight change in the arrangements this year. As usual, we request renewal payments BEFORE 1st March as this helps the volunteers who manage the process and keep records enormously. Anyone who does not arrange their renewal payment BEFORE 1st April will be charged an additional £10 for late payment after that. Please put your email address onto the renewal form even if you think we already have it so that we can ensure our records are fully up to date.
Finally, thank you to the Committee for all your work during the previous year and to others who have contributed in different ways. I wish you all good tennis and enjoyable games.
Kevin Turner
Club Chairman
New Head Coach – Les Swaby
Its official, Les Swaby has been confirmed as WTC’s new Head Coach.
We are pleased to invite him on board again. Les has been apart of our club for many years and we are very excited to gain such an experienced coach.
Les has over 28 years of experience and knowledge of being a professional tennis coach. This will be his 2nd term as Head Coach and we are very pleased to have him back. His qualifications are: US Professional Tennis Registry Elite Pro, US PTR Pro, USTA Pro, RPT European Pro and LTA Level 4.
Les has worked as a head coach in many indoor and outdoor clubs where he has coached from development level to performance level. Also, been a Warwickshire County Coach for 15 years.
Les offers group and individual sessions for both adults and juniors. He is running our junior courses on a Monday and Wednesday evenings, and adult group sessions on a Saturday Afternoon and Sunday Morning.
You can contact Les directly on 07979965821 for any enquires.
Don’t forget he can also re-string and re-grip your tennis racket.
Good Luck Alex
Sad news… our Head Coach Alex is moving on. His last session was Mid-July 2024. Alex has inspired many juniors and adults to pick up the tennis racket. His style of coaching techniques has lifted WTC’s coaching programme to a new level and we thank him for all his hard work and commitment to our club.
We are sad to see him go but wish him the very best in his coaching career
Jane Astle, organised a card and collection which has raised over £150. With that she has bought him some presents and a gift card.
Good Luck Alex
You’re always welcome back for a game or two.
Wythall Tennis Club 
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