Welcome to Flitwick and Ampthill Lawn Tennis Club

Annual membership fees are renewable on 1 April 2012.

Existing senior members are entitled to a discount when annual fees are renewed by 1 April 2012.

Click here to download the 2011-2012 membership application form.

To make a membership enquiry or apply for membership by email please click here.

USEFUL CLUB INFORMATION

NEW MEMBERS….

When you join the club you will be issued with a shoe tag -  please wear at all times.   Colour of the tag will change each season.  Season runs from 1st April – 31st March each year.  A list of current members is updated regularly and located on the internal notice board.   The club aims to produce a monthly newsletter and important information and notices are sent via email.   If you do not receive such information please advise the membership secretary.

FLOODLIGHTS (Seniors Only)….

We have introduced a booking schedule for the use of the floodlights.   This diary (located in the Clubhouse) will operate on a 2 weekly basis indicating matchplay and regular events.   You can purchase tokens from Robert Smith (07748 332623),  Peter Worth (01525 402834) or Terry Mabbitt (at Topspin Racquets Ampthill) 01525 406695.

Cost £1.50 per ½ hour

Visitors ….

Please note that only Senior Members are allowed to bring guest(s) to the Club.   You should not bring non-members on more than 3 occasions. 

Members bringing guests to play tennis at the club must sign them in before taking them on court in order to comply with insurance requirements and the rules of the club. 

A non-members signing in book is kept in the clubhouse for this purpose.

A fee of £3 per person per visit is payable to a committee member and an entry must be made in the non-members signing in book stating the visitor's name & address, the member's name and the name of the committee member to whom the payment has been made.

Be honest when bringing visitors.  If they wish to play regularly, encourage them to join. We still offer extremely good value for money tennis facilities compared to other clubs of a similar size.

It is not fair that visitors use our facilities for free and potentially take up member’s court space. The club is losing revenue which it cannot afford!

LITTER…. 

All Club members are asked to assist with the task of keeping the clubhouse, court areas and surrounding grounds tidy and free from rubbish.  This is your club please make the personal effort of placing your rubbish in the bins provided, picking up rubbish you see or taking it home with you. 

If you notice that the bins are full, don’t just leave it to one or two members to clear up, new sacks are under the kitchen bar and our local tidy tip is in Ampthill!

DRIVING… 

We are always being reminded by local residents to ask members to show caution when driving to and from the Club.    Please remember there may be young children playing in the roads approaching the Club. 

SMOKING….

As you know the Government brought in a “no smoking” ban in public places with effect from 1st July 2007. 

The committee have agreed that inside the Clubhouse is a “no smoking” area.   

We also remind the membership that no smoking is allowed on the carpet courts.

ADULT Social Tennis….

Summer club sessions for seniors and good juniors will commence early April each year.

Sunday morning from 9:00 - 13:00 hrs

Tuesday evening from 18:00 hrs onwards

Thursday morning from 9:00 hrs

(Please be aware that there will be league matches occupying 2 and occasionally 4 courts during the summer season).

Winter Tuesday Evening Floodlit session will revert back to 18:45 - 22:15 hrs.    The cost of this session is £2.50.

COURT ETIQUETTE…. 

Switch off and do not use your mobile phone on court.

Please talk quietly when standing near tennis courts that are in use.

Never walk behind a court when a point is still in play. Wait until the point is over and then cross as fast as possible.

Make sure you are wearing appropriate tennis clothing and tennis shoes.

Notice when balls from other courts have come onto your court and return them at the end of the next point.

When sending balls back to a neighbouring court, roll them to the back of the court. Never send them back while play is in progress.

Retrieve balls for your partner and your opponent.

Call your own lines and let your opponent hear the call. If the ball is good say nothing and play on.

Always respect the line calls of your opponent.

If there is a disagreement, offer a let. In other words, replay the point, even if it was a second service.

Please ensure that all nets are not wound down after court use

Please if you have to ask juniors to leave a court do it nicely.  They are not on court to spite you – they just want to play tennis! Some of the stronger juniors will be invited to play with adult club members from time to time, again offer them help and encouragement.  Remember they are young and will improve very quickly.  When you are face to face against them in the club tournament they may remember your kindness, or avenge your disdain!

Work Parties….

General maintenance tasks are carried out throughout the year by a small group of volunteers but there are always opportunities for club members to assist with these duties.    Contact Terry Mabbitt or Chris Taylor

Match Fees…. 

All team captains are reminded to levy a £1.50 per person match fee for all matches both home and away.  This is not applicable for home matches where floodlighting is used.    This should be paid to the club via the Treasurer (Peter Worth) or Secretary (Derek Hicks).

At Flitwick & Ampthill LTC we have implemented a progressive and inclusive tennis programme that offers tennis to everyone regardless of standard and/or ambition.

Our Junior Coaching Programme follows a four stage progression where they can gain maximum improvement and enjoyment from the sport.

A note for parents

A parent’s role in their child’s development is crucial. Parental support, whatever the outcome of their child’s endeavours, is invaluable and will ensure that the child enjoys tennis and continues to play this great sport for the rest of their life.

Every child develops at their own rate. Encourage and nurture this development and your child can be the best they can be.

Juniors are able to play at the club at most times of the day throughout the season. 

Juniors are not allowed access to the carpet courts and clubhouse except when a senior member is in attendance. 

Please note, Adult members have priority to use the courts at all times except when Junior League Matches are being played. 

We expect our junior members to respect the club and its grounds at all times.   Please do not leave litter lying around, use the bins provided.   Please no swearing or shouting, we should respect our neighbours.

The Membership Tag you receive should be worn or carried at all times when you visit the Club. This helps the coaches and committee members identify non-members.   Why should a non-member occupy your court space! 

Junior members are not allowed to bring guests to the club, in any circumstances. 

Juniors are reminded not to bring take-away hot meals to the club.

This request has arisen from a general disrespect for the clubhouse and its tidiness, and also that it has attracted vermin around the waste bins.

Club security….

Clubhouse keys are available to adult members only from Derek Hicks  for £2.50 which is refunded if the key is returned.   Also when joining adults will be given the lock code for the carpet courts.

ADULT MEMBERS WHO HOLD A KEY TO THE CLUB HOUSE, SHOULD REMEMBER TO CLOSE THE DOOR WHEN LEAVING.   JUNIORS ARE NOT TO BE LEFT ALONE IN THE CLUBHOUSE.

When last off the carpet courts, please close the gate and scramble the lock.    This has been left open on numerous occasions!  Help us to preserve the security of the carpet courts.

CLUB POLO & T-SHIRTS….

Polo shirts are selling well and are in stock at Topspin Racquets  -  Ampthill.   Polo £11.99 and T-Shirt £5.99 and come in all sizes for both Ladies and Men.   Please contact Terry Mabbitt.

Copyright 2012. Flitwick and Ampthill Lawn Tennis Club.  All Rights Reserved.