Fun had by all!

The Open Day at Almondsbury and Bradley Stoke Tennis club, “Avon County LTA Club of the Year 2023,” was attended by approximately 150 adults, parents and children. It was a great fun day for all, made even more enjoyable with the sun out all day. It was a mixture of free play, coaching for all age groups – juniors to adults and a wonderful demonstration from our strong 10&U junior players. It’s astonishing how well they play, definitely on their route to Wimbledon! In addition, there was Cardio tennis, an exercise route for adults of all ages using tennis equipment accompanied by lively music. If you are trying to boost your fitness and mental health this could be for you. And to top everything off there was also a BBQ.

Toby Huddlestone, their head coach who was also awarded “Avon County LTA Performance Coach of the Year” has a passion for developing players. His team includes Dan Tonkin and Emma Nicholls both full time coaches plus a further 4 part time coaches all LTA qualified. They coach up to two hundred juniors a week: 50% club and 50% non-members. Together they have achieved astonishing results. These include having 18 players currently training in the Avon County squads with a further four players on the LTA performance pathway in the South West squads for their age.

Many of our juniors compete regularly with some even making it to national finals and we regularly top the Avon leagues in the younger age groups. Toby still plays himself in ITF tournaments in his age range (we won’t say which!) and has top 50 status in the UK.

Finaly to complete a hattrick of awards, Lifetime Achievement Award and Official of the Year went to Maggie Tyrrell who has worked tirelessly for the club for over 30+ years. As a qualified LTA referee, she also runs many tournaments each year and plays an active role within the Avon Tennis County programme. 

The club is “open to all wishing to play tennis” offering both memberships and Pay and Play. Full details of their programme which includes trial memberships see abstennis.co.uk.