Chairman Peter White reflected on another successful season at the Clacton and District League’s Annual General Meeting.
The League programme had run smoothly with good competition in all three divisions. He thanked Coaching Officer Felipe Rodriguez and Development Officer Ferdy Rodriguez who had been responsible for introducing a number of new players.
Peter also thanked Gavin Price for setting up the TT365 system and for continuing to log the weekly results.
Treasurer Mike Hillier reported on a satisfactory financial year and was recommending no increase in the team affiliation fee for the coming season.
Tony Oswick, the League’s Press and Records Secretary, congratulated Team Secretaries for ensuring all matches were played but cautioned that the number of teams was the lowest for nine years.
In his Tournament Officer’s report, David Wilkin said the Handicap Singles, Junior Combination and Closed Championships had all been successful. He expressed special thanks to Paul Newbould for his continued sponsorship of the Closed.
Coaching Officer Felipe Rodriguez reported that the Monday night coaching had produced five juniors for the League whilst Development Officer Ferdy Rodriguez said last year’s ‘Come and Try’ had produced a number of keen new players.
The Bob Phillips Trophy for services to the League went to Ferdy Rodriguez. Ferdy had joined the Management Committee member in 2002 when he also took on the role as Junior Match Secretary. In 2005 he also became the League’s Development Officer.
He is a willing helper at tournaments, a stalwart member of the Windsor club and epitomised what the award is about – not a star player but the grafter behind the scenes.
The Brian Hogg Trophy for juniors was made to 14-year old Gracie Edwards.
In just four years, Gracie had become a good standard Division One player and, this year, had retained her Ladies Singles title, one of the youngest holders of the trophy. Gracie had also represented Clacton and Essex Juniors, and had shown great success in National tournaments.
League trophies were presented at the end of the meeting.
A new Division One shield, donated by Shirley Rowlen in memory of her late husband Brian, League Chairman from 1984 to 2014, went to the Nomads Panthers’ team of James Denyer, John Hatley, Sam Hume, Gill Locke and Colin Webber.
Officers elected for the 2016/17 season were: President, Sheila Howe; Chairman, Peter White; Vice-Chairman, Graham Parkes; Secretary, Lyn White; Treasurer, Mike Hillier; Press and Records Secretary, Tony Oswick; Tournament Officer, vacant; Development Officer, Ferdy Rodriguez; Coaching Officer, Felipe Rodriguez; Minutes Secretary, Debra Found; Committee members, Doug Green, Jenny Higgins, Tony Hooper, Kayley Lamb, Gavin Price, Dan Wright; Independent Examiner, Ray Chillingworth.
The League will continue to run four teams in the Essex Inter-League – Mens (Secretary Felipe Rodriguez), Veterans (Colin Webber), Juniors (Ferdy Rodriguez) and Super-Veterans (Gavin Price).