by Ellie Longsden | Jan 5, 2024 | Community Events, News - General, Social News, Squash News, Whats on
5th January 2024
Wolverhampton hosts 191 players in the Karakal West of England Squash Masters 2023-24 The Wolverhampton Lawn Tennis & Squash Club (WLTSC) is set to host the prestigious Karakal West of England Squash Masters 2023-24, from Friday 12th January to Sunday 14th January 2024. The squash tournament features 191 competitors across 14 age categories and promises an exciting display of talent and sportsmanship as players converge to vie for top honours.
The Karakal West of England Masters has established itself as a key fixture in the squash calendar, attracting seasoned players aged 35 and above from all corners of the UK. The tournament aims to foster inclusivity and encourage participation at all skill levels within this age group, contributing to the growth and vibrancy of squash communities across the nation.
“We’re thrilled to be hosting the Karakal West of England Masters once again at the Wolverhampton Lawn Tennis & Squash Club,” said Mike Harris, Head of Squash and Racketball at WLTSC. “This tournament not only showcases the talent of our own members, with 13 players representing the club (including myself!), but also brings together competitors from across the UK, adding a unique dynamic to the matches.”
Players will battle it out on the six state-of-the-art courts at WLTSC, with the hope of securing victory and, for some, the opportunity to represent England in international matches.
“We believe in not only providing a platform for our players to showcase their skills but also in offering them the chance to elevate their game to new heights on the international stage, representing their home nation” added Mike Harris.
Spectators are encouraged to join the excitement at WLTSC, witnessing thrilling and highly competitive matches unfold throughout the weekend from 2pm on Friday. Free to attend, the club extends a warm invitation to squash enthusiasts and the local community to come and support the participants, making this event a memorable experience for both players and spectators alike.
For more information on the Karakal West of England Masters 2023-24, including schedule details and information, please visit https://www.englandsquashmasters.co.uk/Events/EventDetails.aspx?@EventID=129
Contact for more information:
Mike Harris, Head of Squash & Racketball at WLTSC, on 07826316065 or mike.harris@wltsc.com.
by Ellie Longsden | May 31, 2023 | Community Events, News - General, Social News
A big part of the WLTSC community is the inclusivity we pride ourselves on and the many activities open to all abilities at the club.
Following a previous post of WLTSC with Wolves, the images featured a frequent junior WLTSC visitor that deserves to be showcased.
๐ ๐ฒ๐ฒ๐ ๐๐บ๐ถ๐น๐!
Emily joined our mini red tennis sessions and took part in wheelchair tennis with a wheelchair that was kindly donated by the LTA. She underwent a number of weeks at WLTSC, improving on her tennis journey.
In addition, Emily was chosen by Wolves to be the โdisability mattersโ representative and recently a mascot for the Wolves at Leicester away game. Having been a Wolves season ticket holder since she was a toddler, the club wanted to celebrate how she has overcome the many difficulties and challenges that she has had. She met all the players, including her favourite Neves, and led the team out.
“WLTSC did so much for her and were all so kind to her.”-Emily’s mom, Mel.
by Ellie Longsden | May 4, 2023 | Community Events, Football, News - General, Social News
As a key part of the local Wolverhampton Community, we have always had great admiration for our successful home team. WLTSC often finds itself in a position of great links with Wolves and below is just some of the many recent success stories weโve had the pleasure to share with you:
- ๐๐ผ๐ป๐ฒ๐น๐น ๐๐ฟ๐๐บ๐บ๐ผ๐ป๐ฑ– Junior member Donell proudly waved the flag for Wolves as a match mascot during the Wolves awayย ย ย game against Leicester City at the King Power stadium. Although not the results the fans had hoped for that day, we hope Donell had a great day getting a first-hand experience of the buzz of a Wolves away game and getting chance to grab a high five with a local fan favourite Rรบben Neves!
- ๐๐ป๐ป๐ฒ ๐๐ฟ๐ฎ๐๐๐ต๐ฎ๐– A longstanding member of WLTSC Anne Crawshaw was invited to be the recipient in receiving a Wolves shirt during a special presentation in recognition of her late father Bert Williams. Bert had hit an astonishing 420 caps for Wolves and at the time of his death was the oldest living England international! Both Anne and Amber (below) attended the special evening with both earning special recognition.
- ๐๐บ๐ฏ๐ฒ๐ฟ ๐๐ฒ๐น๐น๐ผ๐๐– Our very own Tennis coach Amber Fellows has successfully made over 300 appearances on behalf of Wolves women! Herself and both former and current players who have made this honourable milestone were privileged to have been invited along to attend a Wolves 300 club event. During the event Amber was presented with her own named plaque upon a coveted honours board. Well done Ambs, amazing achievement!
After a special unveiling event last week, the 300 Club board featuring both Amber Fellows and Bert Williams now has a permanent home at Molineux!
by Ellie Longsden | Mar 6, 2023 | Community Events, Gym News, News - General, Social News, Squash News, Tennis News
February Newsletter
February was another busy month at Wolverhampton Lawn Tennis & Squash Club featuring the following events;
โข Pancake day
โข Holiday Camps. Our Easter Holiday Camps are now open for booking at; https://clubspark.lta.org.uk/everypoint/Coaching/Camps
โข February Quiz with Baggers
โข Staffordshire Tennis County Matchplay
โข JDA (Julian Dukes Agencies) Racketball Club Championships
โข WLTSC Member Survey
โข touchtennis tournament hosted by Clayton Edge
Another superb month at WLTSC.
#WLTSC #TeamWLTSC
“Keep healthy, play sport, make friends”
by wltsc | Sep 11, 2022 | Community Events, News - General
WOW! Radio speaks volumes of what WLTSC offers!
WOW! Did you hear Sports Manager Marc Hughes on Radio WM, speaking with Natalie Graham on #wellbeingwednesday last month?
The importance of personal wellbeing was discussed, not only coming from playing squash &, racketball, tennis; working out in the gym or taking part in one of the numerous gym/spin classes on offer at WLTSC, but also from the social benefits of the community of like-minded people coming together, often making life-long friendships. Listen from 1.33 to hear the full 10minutes.
The interview came about after recent successes of some of the tennis juniors and seniors at Wimbledon tournaments during August; with a member entering the 060 menโs singles (quite an achievement), Marc winning the ITF O55 British Grass Court Doubles Championships with his partner, and some juniors competing in Play your way to Wimbledon resulting in a win in the U14 boys event and another reaching the final 16 in their categoryโ ones to watch in the future!
We offer an extensive junior squash & tennis programmes and whichever sport a junior chooses to play, they will be taught by qualified and enthusiastic coaches. Marc explained that it isnโt just sporting skills that develop here, but also confidence in social interactions and team-work that sport provides juniors with.
He also commented that we now have previous juniors representing WLTSC in teams and external leagues, which is lovely to see and shows our current juniors what they can achieve. We hope that the #squashstars course will inspire the next generation of Commonwealth medallists โ we are still excited to have watched squash be showcased during the #B2022 โ catch up with our last blog for more details if you missed it.
The interview wasnโt all about elite sport, but also the numerous beginnerโs squash & racketball, and beginnerโs tennis courses that are on offer. These courses are designed to give those that come along all the racket skills they need to enjoy the sport and play games with others, helping fitness and wellbeing. For those that have played before, there is Rusty Rackets for returning tennis players and Skills & Drills for squash & racketball.
Although we are entering Autumn/Winter season, we do not stop! We have an extensive programme of squash, tennis, gym, fitness; social events in our bar & restaurant and our member walk for fun. We will also be welcoming England Squash Karakal Midlands Masters 2022-23 tournament in November.
For existing squash players who fancy testing themselves, entries close Friday 21st October so you could come and compete on one of our 6 courts! Our members and friends are looking forward to watching top class squash during this weekend โ there is something for everyone here at WLTSC!
As we move into what is predicted to be a tough winter, the warm environment provided to all members, is something we are very proud to offer, not only in temperature but also in the friendships and sense of family that our member testimonials confirm, we provide. Get in touch if you would like to join our community.
by wltsc | Aug 18, 2022 | Community Events, Squash News
WOW what an experience I had at Birmingham 2022. Iโd never been to a multi-sport event and to be a part of it has totally blown me away.
I had so much fun, inspiring, and entertaining so many young people, families, and squash fans. I truly hope the work I and the Squash United team, along with my wife AKA Mrs Squash did, and will continue to do, will eventually show in increased participation at clubs and sports centres and most importantly here at WLTSC.
I’ve had many highlights in my career as a player and coach but to get the greatest squash player of all time Jahangir Khan, along with Mohamed El Shorbagy, current World No.5, former World No.1 and World Champion on the Mini Squash Court was such a special moment and one I will never forget.
Gina Kennedy, the first English woman to win a Commonwealth Games Singles Gold Medal, also joined me on the Mini Squash Court to play the squash fans (along with her gold medal). Almost the whole England team joined me on the Mini Court as well as competitors from many of the nations, which was brilliant for all the fans.
It was so wonderful to see Declan James, who came to support the Birmingham 2022 Roadshow here at WLTSC, win a Commonwealth Games Menโs Doubles Gold Medal. I was so delighted for him but also for the whole of England Squash Team, winning 6 medals overall.
Iโve had the privilege to coach almost every player on this team, at Junior National Squads when I was an England High Performance Coach. What made it even more special, a few players now have children, and I had the chance to play them on the Mini Squash Court, I had so much fun.
I’ve always believed the Mini Squash Court would be a success and it truly has been. At the Birmingham 2022 Squash venue, we engaged with over 10,000 fans. As well as the main site, I put up Mini Squash Courts at Birmingham 2022 Regional Festival sites in Castle Vale, Yardley, and Ward End, where my team of volunteers and coaches delivered squash to hundreds of people each day.
On Tuesday the day after Birmingham 2022 officially ended, I put up a Mini Squash Court in an extremely deprived area in Birmingham at a Youth Project in Lozells to give the young people the opportunity to try Squash for the first time. The work I’m doing doesnโt end here, I will continue to champion the game of squash and go out and inspire people of all ages, to take up the game or get them back onto court. I want to continue taking squash to the people and now the real work really begins here at WLTSC.
Squash Stars begins Wednesday 14th September โ a 6 week programme for juniors 5-11yrs of age and includes a bag, racket, goggles and T-shirt for total of ยฃ42. Non-members welcome.
We will start a beginners #squash & racketball (Squash 57) course from Monday 5th Septemberย โ see timetable for details or get in touch to find out more or discuss individual coaching opportunities – 01902 755265
I hope to see you at the courts soon
Mike Harris aka Mr Squash!
