TENNIS
A big welcome awaits you at Ilminster Tennis Club with tennis available for players of all ages and abilities, from beginners to experienced competitive players. There are many activities to choose from including social sessions, in-house tournaments, league tennis, and coaching for everyone from 4 years upwards. The tennis you play at Ilminster Tennis Club is entirely up to you, whether it is at a competitive level, club session or gentle hit with other members.
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Ilminster Tennis Club can be found on the west side of the town behind Tesco and has views over the nearby countryside. The Tennis Club joined forces with the Bowling Club in 1957 and since then has gone from strength to strength with a current membership of well over 110 members. We play all year round on three all-weather floodlit courts which were resurfaced at the beginning of 2021. The Club has its own Pavilion with changing rooms and a social area for players to socialise.
How to Join?
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The Club’s membership year runs from 1 April – 31 March with a 50% reduction on the annual membership from 1 October. A Tennis membership entitles you to not only play Tennis but to play Bowls (indoors & outdoors), Pickleball, Snooker, Table Tennis, Darts and be a social member.
Ilminster Tennis Club offers an induction programme where you have the opportunity to attend 3 FREE SOCIAL TENNIS SESSIONS before becoming a member. As well as playing tennis, a Committee member will be delighted to show you around the facilities and introduce you to other members of the Club. The social sessions are a turn up and play activity held on:
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Monday, Wednesday and Friday mornings from 10 am – 12 noon (from 9 am in the summer)
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Thursdays from 4 pm onwards
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Saturday afternoons from 1 pm onwards
There is also an on-line booking system for you to choose when to book a court to play with other members outside of the above times.
Whether you are new to tennis or have played before, the Club has the services of a Level 4 and PTR registered coach, Rachel Apsey, to arrange private lessons or join in one of the group coaching sessions. Rachel’s details are provided further down the page.
To come along and have a look at what we have to offer in person, please email Ilminstertennis@gmail.com for further information or make contact via this website.
Ilminster Tennis Club is registered with the Lawn Tennis Association (LTA).The club is committed to meeting the LTA standards for safeguarding children and vulnerable adults.
All we ask is that you respect the club rules, its members and enjoy yourself! We look forward to seeing you.
Tournaments & League Tennis
There is scope for everyone to be involved in competitive tennis whatever your level of play.
The Club enters teams in the following leagues.
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Yeovil and District Summer League – 3 men’s teams, 2 ladies teams and 2 mixed teams competing in the top division and below.
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Yeovil and District Winter League – 2 mixed teams competing in the top division and below
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We also run internal club tournaments during the summer season where you play against other members of the club in:
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Men’s singles
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Ladies’ singles
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Men’s doubles
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Ladies’ doubles
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Mixed doubles
We are also privileged to host junior LTA tournaments at the courts.
Ilminster Tennis Coach - Rachel Apsey (Ace Tennis)
Ilminster Tennis Club is pleased to introduce Rachel Apsey (Ace Tennis) as the Club coach. Rachel comes to the Club with many years’ experience as an LTA Level 4 and PTR registered professional coach. She has played tennis at local, county, national and international level for over 40 years. In addition to her county tennis, recent successes include winning the Over 55s Ladies Doubles category at the ITF World Tennis Masters Tournament in Marjorca in September 2023, being crowned 2024 ITF World Tennis Masters Ladies 60+ Singles Champion in February 2024 and a member of the GB Team at the ITF World Tennis Masters Team Event in April 2024 in Mexico City where GB finished in 6th place out of the 16 countries competing.
Rachel provides coaching for all ages and standards, groups and individuals to suit your needs. These include:
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Rusty Racquets - a fun introductory course for those new to tennis or returning to the court after a time away
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Individual lessons
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Group coaching for juniors and adults
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Junior camps during the school holidays
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League team coaching
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Cardiac tennis
Please contact Rachel as follows:
Mobile: 07583 092811
Email: rachelatennis@gmail.com
She is also qualified to restring your racquet and will advise you on the type of string and tension you need. If you require a new racquet, Rachel's experience will help you to select a racquet and grip best suited to you.
SAFEGUARDING POLICY
Policy Statement
Ilminster Tennis Club acknowledges the duty of care to safeguard and promote the welfare of children and adults at risk. The club is committed to ensuring safeguarding practice reflects statutory responsibilities, government guidance and complies with best practice and LTA requirements.
The club’s safeguarding policy recognises that the welfare and interests of children and adults at risk are paramount in all circumstances. It aims to ensure that regardless of age, ability or disability, gender reassignment, race, religion or belief, sex or sexual orientation, socio-economic background, all children and adults
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have a positive and enjoyable experience of tennis at Ilminster Tennis Club in a safe and inclusive environment
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are protected from abuse whilst participating in tennis
Ilminster Tennis Club acknowledges that some children, including disabled children and young people or those from ethnic minority communities, can be particularly vulnerable to abuse and we accept the responsibility to take reasonable and appropriate steps to ensure their welfare.
As part of our safeguarding policy Ilminster Tennis Club will:
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promote and prioritise the safety and well-being of children and adults at risk
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ensure everyone understands their roles and responsibilities in respect of safeguarding and is provided with appropriate learning opportunities to recognise, identify and respond to signs of abuse, neglect and other safeguarding concerns relating to children and adults at risk
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encourage and maintain a culture where people feel able to raise a genuine safeguarding concern and are confident that it will be taken seriously
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ensure appropriate action is taken in the event of incidents/concerns of abuse and support provided to the individual/s who raise or disclose the concern
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ensure that confidential, detailed and accurate records of all safeguarding concerns are maintained and securely stored
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prevent the employment/deployment of unsuitable individuals
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ensure robust safeguarding arrangements and procedures are in operation
The Ilminster Tennis Club Safeguarding Policy, Standards, Code of Conduct and Reporting a Safeguarding Concern Procedure are applicable to:
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All Committee members
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All Coaching Staff
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All Members of the club and visitors
This Policy, Standards and Code of Conduct strive to minimise risk and support our club, programmes, events and individuals to deliver a positive tennis experience for everyone. The Reporting a Safeguarding Concern Procedure outlines how to respond to safeguarding concerns/disclosures. The LTA and club recognise that it has a responsibility to safeguard children and adults at risk, including due regard to the need to prevent people from being drawn into extremism and terrorism (the Prevent Duty).
The club’s policy and procedures will be widely promoted and are mandatory for everyone involved in Ilminster Tennis Club. Failure to comply with the policy and procedures will be addressed and may result in dismissal/exclusion from the club.
Whistleblowing
Anyone who does not feel comfortable raising a concern with the Club Welfare Officer should contact the LTA Safeguarding Team directly on 020 8487 7000, the Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO) or the NSPCC on 0808 800 5000. Further details about whistleblowing can be found in the club’s safeguarding policy.
Monitoring
The club’s safeguarding policy will be reviewed every two years, or sooner in the following circumstances:
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changes in legislation and/or government guidance
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as required by the Local Safeguarding Children Board or LTA
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as a result of any other significant change or event.
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Reviewed September 2022
Next review: September 2024
Somerset LTA Safeguarding Policy and Links
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This above link will take you to the Somerset LTA safeguarding policy page which includes information about the county safeguarding officer and includes links for all the Somerset LTA policies which Ilminster Tennis Club accept and follow on:
Anti-Bullying
Diversity and inclusion
Online Safety and Communication
Photography and Filming
Safer Recruitment
Safeguarding policy and how to report a concern
Whistleblowing
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