President's Blog - April 2023

The hockey season has ended on a general high with celebrations for the Ladies 3, winning the league and U12 boys are Cheshire champions, to name just two. There has also been a wealth of county and national representation by our Juniors. I was delighted to be invited to the End of Season Dinner, I’d describe it as a “lively” event. Roy Rodgers and Ian Marsden-Beckett were joint winners of the Hockey Chairman’s cup “for an individual who goes out of their way to support the club….. who supports all teams in all weathers every week….who help everyone keep updated with general hockey news and scores”. For all other information on awards, representative honours and end of season results, please see the hockey page on the website.

Tennis practices have started and I don’t think I’ve seen so many social players at the club for years. A big hand to Simon Spiers for his part in organising some of this. In fact Simon received the Cheshire LTA Award of the Year as recognition for his considerable work in all aspects of the Tennis Section.

This year the section have entered more leagues, including mixed and mens league. This then offers match experience for the many players we have. Frankie has the diary set for the Thursday Friendly mixed matches with other clubs across Wirral. This is a good way of learning match play before entering one of the league teams - it’s how many of us started. For all details of results of winter league and junior achievements, please see their webpage.

Justin Hussey won the Racketball Tournament, beating the mighty Nick Mason in the final. We held the first Neston All Sports Stars Academy (NASSA) squash coaching in February. A big group of 28 turned up for the six weeks free coaching as part of their membership deal.

Neston Cricket Section gave a very warm welcome the Australian Overseas Player, Chris Dixon, from Perth. We thank Constables once again for their generosity in providing accommodation for him for the season. Friendly matches were held on both pitches on sunny Easter Saturday and the bar was buzzing, bulked up by the original Riff Raff tennis group.

The Ladies Cricket Team were proud winners of the Winter Indoor League, and the first practice for the Summer ladies team (aged 13+) is on Monday 17 April at 6.30pm.

We are awaiting planning permission for flood lights on the bottom tennis courts and you’ll know as soon as we get approval.

The project to revive the Old Tennis Pavilion has taken off with a successful grant from Sport England. Bern Thorne has great passion for the club and to make it the best we can for all members and has managed to get this project of the ground. You will be aware that he was the founder of NASSA which brought 90 children and their parents to the club to play sport outside in COVID times and the following year 160 children joined. It was an ingenious idea to help these families but also to maximise our use of facilities and gain new members. This years Summer NASSA starts on 21^st April.

Thursday Group will be moving outside for Summer Sports when the weather is good. They have a full calendar of events which is on the website. Jenny Woolley is back in the kitchen on Thursday 20th serving lunch at the Charity Day for 120 people, assisted by Pam, Barbara and Hilda.

Keep your eye out for bowls/croquet tournaments which Emma Nokes is organising. Emma has also set up the new Neston Golf Society and have over 30 members signed up. Their next away day is at Hawarden GC. LASTLY, be quick to book one of the tables left for St George’s Day Sunday Roast on 23rd April.

Looking forward to seeing you at The Club soon.

Best wishes,

Deb

Debbie Mason-Smith – Neston President.