I’ve always liked playing tennis, ever since school, but with 3 boys growing rapidly and time being precious, I never thought that I’d take tennis up as a regular thing. So I was really pleased when my eldest, announced one day that he’d like to learn tennis. Brett made a tough decision 3 years ago to trade sports as he wasn’t getting the game time he needed at his football club.

We joined Chadwell Lawn Tennis Club and I re-found some youth by just playing Brett before and after his lessons. The old cliché of time flying rings true and it wasn’t long before he was teaching me (and still does). Mum and I were very proud when Brett won the club’s u16s title in 2014 and most recently the u18 title last year – so looking back it was a great decision.

The club has also been a great place for personal development as between A level studies, Brett also assists the club’s resident coach for a few hours week, teaching mini-tennis to the younger children, and has since earned his level 1 coaching assistant qualification last December.

Last year we were invited to take up social membership and I’m really glad we did. A quick word of thanks here to all who’ve taught us doubles. It’s been a great way to improve our games and make new friends.

I really enjoyed the club tournaments last year and am looking forward to this years. Thanks also to a few of the more advanced players who often take time to play a set with us (and often coach us through it).

Tennis to me is a great sport for increasing confidence in kids and promoting fair play at an early age. For anyone out there looking to get their kids into tennis, or just looking to join a club themselves, you’d be hard pushed to beat this club in terms of fun and value for money.

Craig Lawrence

"I’d sooner lose a game and have played well than win a game but have played poorly."

                                                                                                (Craig Lawrence  April 2016)