Hello to the Members of Sea Point Tennis Club.
My name is Michelle Whitehead and I am the new Marketing and Facilities Manager of the Sea Point Tennis Club.
A little background on who I am:
I have been a Professional Tennis Coach for the last 28 years - specialising in Beginner players of all ages. I have also had the privilege of taking a top Junior through the ranks and she is currently in the the top 3 players of her age group in the country. You will no doubt be introduced to her at some time at the club. I have headed up the WP Coaches Association for many years and have been very involved in Tennis Western Province.
I still play actively as the number one player for Gardens Tennis Club and have recently won the 45+ Vets Nationals which were held in Cape Town and am currently ranked number 3 in the country in that age group.
Over the last 14 years I have built my little empire of Guest Houses in the Gardens - called Mountain Manor - which now consists of a 13 bed roomed Guest House, luxury and standard self-catering apartments as well as a Boutique Back Packers Lodge.
18 months ago I started the GROWING SPORTS FOUNDATION which is Mountain Manor's Corporate Social Investment programme and we currently teach 1600 Disadvantaged children in the City Bowl tennis at their schools, every week. We use Volunteers to come in and assist with the coaching as well as paid coaches whom are also PDI's and whom we are teaching and nuturing to be good Tennis Trainers.
I am now taking on the challenge of making Sea Point Tennis Club function to its fullest capacity.
My main focus will be on developing the Social aspect of the club.
We will be offering eats and drinks in the form of a small coffee shop in the premises so that you can pop past at any time to enjoy a relaxing time at your club.
We will also be offering fun evenings of Gourmet meals and get togethers by our new resident Chef, Ms Adrienne Southey. Please feel free to ask us for anything special that you might want to eat or drink when you are at the club and Adrienne will be happy to oblige (within reason)!!
We will be introducing Social Tennis every Sunday morning at the Club. Each weekend will be allocated to a different Network of players so as to attract a variety of visitors to the club. ALL members are more than welcome to come and play at these days and meet new, different players. These days will be packaged with either a breakfast or HIGH tea or a light lunch - so watch the boards for details.
We would also like to start a Corporate under lights league to be played in summer months.
When Wimbledon comes around you will ALL be invited to come and enjoy Strawberries and cream - Divine Pimms - and to watch the games together.
And of course, we will be contracting a few coaches to work at the premises as part of the team.
The Challenge:
At this stage the Facilities at Sea Point Tennis Club are sadly lacking in vibrancy and energy and we will be needing some serious fund raising activities in order to achieve the following:
1. Create a shop area within the club to host our resident stringer, Mr Cyprian Martin, who will also offer Tennis Balls, stringing, Racquets, grips and a variety of accessories for Club members to purchase.
2. Create an eating area inside the club with tables and chairs and of course the necessary catering equipment to go with this.
3. Create an outdoor lounging area for members to sit and relax, unwind and enjoy their club facility on those balmy evenings.
4. Connect up speakers to our TV, move it to a more suitable position in order for better viewing on our Promotional Sports Days at the Club.
5. Create a lovely bar area for Members to enjoy and host their visitors at.
6. Connect a Wi-fi bubble over the club so that members and their visitors can come and work from the premises should they so wish.
7. Hook up internet stations at the Club and have an online booking system for all members to book the courts so that they are constantly used.
If ANY of the current members have ANY contacts who can assist us in purchasing / sourcing / installing ANY of the above items - or if you have ANY fund raising ideas - or if you are able to make a financial Donation - we would be extremely grateful as we wish the club to be ready for Action by Spring Time - 1 September 2010.
I can be contacted on 083 274 8682 or on email michelle@growingtennis.co.za.
Here's to some FUN and Social Involvement for the entire Sea Point / Bantry Bay community because The Sea Point Tennis Club COULD BE the ultimate Tennis and Social Club in Cape Town.
I thank the Trustees for their support and I thank, in anticipation, the current members of the club.
Please email me any ideas or requests that you might have for the Growth of your Club.
Yours in Growing Tennis
Michelle Whitehead
