Nailsea Lawn Tennis Club is planning for a bright future after celebrating their 50th anniversary last year.

The committee has developed a new five-year plan and appointed a new chairman in Jackie Thompson, who succeeds Mel Thomas at the Mizzymead Recreation Centre-based club.

And Thomas will become closer involved in driving the growth initiatives, with the plan intending to deliver 60 per cent growth in membership by 2023, across junior, day time and adult groups.

Justin Smith has been appointed as Junior Representative and taken responsibility for implementing a new coaching platform, having joined the club to rekindle a sport he played at school, following a 20-year-break.

He said: “Our vision is to help children of all ages and ability in Nailsea access healthy, outdoor sport, create friendships and have fun.

“I was keen to play a sport with my daughter and son that we could all enjoy and where we could all develop our game as a family.”

Lead coach Tom Fowler, schooled and mentored by Ben Tilling Tennis Academy, has created a junior group coaching programme that is open to all juniors of all abilities.

And the club have also launched a new men’s competitive and social evening on a Monday night. It started out as four like-minded players and has quickly grown to 14 regular players and continues to go from strength to strength.

This has led to the resurgence of a league team who have entered North Somerset Summer League in 2019. Monday players are mostly made up of past players who have been encouraged to return to Tennis with the main aim of enjoyment.

Chairman Thompson is also keen the club continues its heritage of a strong ladies section and two of the four recent juniors to join have been girls.

Nailsea Tennis Club is running an Open Day on Sunday May 19 (10am-5pm) and all are welcome to come along and explore the facilities on site and to have a go at tennis.

No prior playing experience is required but trainers are recommended for comfort.

As part of the Junior programme, Tom Fowler will also be launching a new LTA Tennis for Kids Programme, to help children trial sample coaching as beginners. Details will be made available on the Open Day.

Thompson said: “We’re looking forward to welcoming friends, families and any potential new players to our Open Day and to learn more about our exciting plans.”

For more information contact Justin Smith via nltcjuniors@gmail.com.