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Updated 5th February 2024

A brief history, mainly of the early years

1981/82 Glebelands Sports Association founded
March 1984 Glebelands Tennis Club formed inspired by Sue Bach together with Carol Edwards & Ken Jones. Initially no courts and no funds. A committee was formed and would be members hired courts at Rowley Park and Lilleshall National Sports Centre.
June 1985 Tennis Courts laid and opened with the help of Glebelands Sports, a low cost loan from the LTA and 2 bank loans. (Loans repaid by Feb 1991)
Jul 1992 Courts Repainted to prolong life
Aug 1993 Club name changed to Church Eaton Tennis Club
May 1994 Game Set & Match Volume 1, Number 1 club magazine produced.
During 1994 Fundraising activities to obtain funds to resurface the courts: BBQ, Skittles Night, Italian Evening, Wimbledon Sweep, Tournaments (various), Quiz Night, Xmas Draw, Cookery Book, Selling Club Sweatshirts, Prize Draw
Dec 1994 Malcolm and Marcelle Bennett take over the coaching from Ken Rose.
Jan 1995 Grant applied for to augment the club funds to resurface the courts.
1995 Women's 1st & men's 2nd teams both champions of their league division.
Sept 1995 £6,750 lottery grant awarded towards resurfacing the courts.
Oct 1995 Courts resurfaced. To be ready for play by 4th November. Commended by the lottery for the speed of implementation. Painted Apr '96
Apr 1996 Courts painted following the resurfacing the previous Autumn.
May 1998 Fire destroys pavilion, new pavilion ordered April 1999
Apr 1999 Lease for 25 years on the sports field offered to GSA
May 2000 Club participated in LTA "Play Tennis 2000" scheme.
May 2001 Game Set & Match Issue Number 11 club magazine produced reporting Rachael Brown to represent Staffordshire in regional mini tennis event.
Oct 2008 Courts resurfaced using money saved, painted Mar '09.
May 2010 Malcolm and Marcelle retire from coaching and Jon Ashby takes over.
AGM 2011 Marcelle retires as Chairman and Betty takes over.
2011 Men's team, captained by Jon, come top of their league division.
April 2015 Betty retires as chairman and Mike Sedgley takes over.
April 2016 Courts repainted - look good as new!
July? 2016 Jon retires, regular coaching sessions stop, a sad day.
March 2017 inspire2coach start coaching at the club
April 2018 new lease signed on 13/4/18 by GSA
Oct? 2018 Steph takes over the coaching at the club
2022 2023 Bench placed by the courts in 2023 to remember founder member, Sue Bach, who died in 2022. In March 2023 organiser of the morning groups, Betty Metcalf, also died. Betty was a one time chairman of the club.
Oct 2023 Courts repainted
Dec 2023 Mike retires as Chairman in October, Phil takes over in December at EGM.

Court Opening Party - June 1985

 

The new pavilion for the Glebelands members, but that is a house behind - not a second storey!

 

Making contacts at a fund raising event

 

Play Tennis Event