by Aimee Richards | Nov 8, 2018 | Community Events, News - General, Social News, Squash News, Tennis News
A popular sports club in Wolverhampton is welcoming Grand Slam tennis champion Frew McMillan to help mark a special 80th anniversary taking place this weekend.
The Wolverhampton Lawn Tennis & Squash Club is holding an anniversary dinner, with special guests including the five-times doubles Grand Slam champion, who played – and won – several tournaments at the club during its history.
The club is marking 80 years on its present site, having started out in 1885 on the premises, moved to Albert Road in 1913, before purchasing the ‘Neville Lodge’ building and returning in 1938.
Saturday night’s event is part of an overall celebration of the 80th anniversary, including long-serving club member Rod Willetts producing a history of WLTSC from its inception to the present day.
“There is a gang of us who play racketball on a Monday and Friday night and have a pint in the bar afterwards,” says Rod, who has been a member at WLTSC for 42 years.
“One of the guys Roger Malpas, who has since been helping me with the project, was asking if anyone had ever done a history of the club and that sparked my interest.
“We found some boxes of minutes, including one which had been brought in by the family of the former secretary Mike Tomlinson, and the information blew my mind.
“There were minutes books all the way from the year 1905 to the present day – all in beautifully kept books and beautifully written in italics.
“Roger and myself have been going through those books and I have also been up to Wolverhampton Archives, where I have found some fantastic photographs.
“It is very time consuming but has been great fun and amazing to see how the club has progressed through the years.
“The idea now is to turn the work and the research into some form of publication to mark this anniversary and the club’s history to date.”
Rod has discovered there were three main reasons why the club moved back to Newbridge Crescent from the 12-court site on Albert Road eight decades ago.
The lack of parking at their previous home, the need for a venue for more ‘winter’ sports, and a more substantial property, with Neville Lodge being purchased for £2,000.
And so it was that the new and current home not only housed tennis courts at the start, but also two squash courts and separate rooms for billiards, table tennis and cards.
WLTSC also hosted a top class tennis tournament over the years which included ranking points towards events such as Wimbledon, and attracted competitors from as far afield as South Africa and Australia.
It was that event which McMillan won on three separate occasions, in 1962, 1963 and 1970, and why he is delighted to be returning this weekend, along with other guests including former British number one squash player Anna Bullock (nee Craven Smith) and another top tennis player in Ted Beards.
“We are delighted that Frew and all of our guests will be joining us and are looking forward to a nostalgic night,” added Rod.
by Aimee Richards | Sep 27, 2018 | News - General, Social News, Squash News
This week is Women’s Squash Week across the country, and therefore no better time to shine a light on some of the ladies who enjoy playing the game, and to a high standard, at WLTSC.
And in particular two who boast a combined 84 years of taking to the court, and who last weekend took part in the West of England Masters on home soil.
Cathy Grinsell and Jane Hatton are well versed in league squash having both turned out for WLTSC in the Shropshire League, and many other leagues in the past as well.
Entering the Masters was perhaps motivated partly by the event taking place so close to home, but both enjoyed the experience, with Cathy finishing the round robin tournament as runner up.
A great achievement for a player who first set out playing the sport over four decades ago!
“I first played at the age of maybe 22 or 23, when I was working at Goodyear, and they built a sports centre with a squash court,” Cathy recalls.
“Quite a lot of us started playing and I ended up captaining the ladies’ team.
“It all progressed from there and I have played in many different leagues, joining here at Wolverhampton about 18 years ago.
“I remember the day I joined – I became a member at 5pm and was playing my first match for the club at 7pm!
“I’m 62 now, and am still playing a lot of squash, three or four times a week, and still taking on a lot of the young men…and beating them!
“We are fortunate here to have quite a strong female contingent of squash players, but it would be good to get some more youngsters coming through.
“Both my daughters play – they have been brought up on it! – and for me it is the best game in the world!”
Jane is also hugely experienced in the world of squash, having been playing the game for almost four-and-a-half decades!
“I always wanted to play squash, and when I went to Newcastle University, I had the opportunity to do so,” she says.
“I have been playing at WLTSC now for about 24 years I think, and still play a bit of team tennis in the Shropshire League.
“I probably only entered the Masters event as it was here at the club, and the others were probably a bit better than us, but it was still good fun!”
As Cathy mentioned, there is also a strong group of younger squash players enjoying the sport at WLTSC, many of whom – such as Aimee Jones – were showing their support for their club colleagues, also including Elaine Radcliffe and Kate Fuller, at the Masters.
“I am 27 now, and was 13 when I first started playing squash,” says Amy.
“My brothers played, so I picked up a racket and had a go, and ended up playing as a junior here.
“There is a good atmosphere at the club with the other female players and I really enjoy playing in the teams.”
All three ladies are very much united in terms of the overall benefits of squash as a sport, whether played for fun, or competitively.
“For me personally I can’t believe more women don’t get into it,” added Cathy.
“Particularly for the calorie burn…you can burn 600 to 650 calories in a 45-minute game which is better than most training sessions!
“It was great to be involved in the Masters tournament because it promoted our club and will hopefully help expand our membership base to get more squash players coming through the ranks.”
“Aggression within rules” – that is Jane’s description!
“And you can play indoors, 45 minutes of intense exercise, and you only have to organise two people to play!”
For Aimee, squash has also helped her in many other ways apart from just the game itself!
“It is a sport which keeps you fit and active, and is also socially good with meeting new people,” she says.
“I used to work at the bar here, then got a job with one of the guys I played squash with, and I also met my husband here as well!”
*A female interested in playing squash? Why not give it a go and pop along to one of the regular sessions. Click here to view more details.
by Aimee Richards | Sep 24, 2018 | Gym News, News - General, Social News
Former Wolves and England Under-21 goalkeeper and lifelong fitness enthusiast Matt Murray has returned to one of his former haunts to open a new and improved gym facility.
Wolverhampton Lawn Tennis & Squash Club have added to their existing gym facility by expanding their functional fitness area to be known as The Pit.
Murray used to spend plenty of time at WLTSC when Wolves’ first team squad used the changing and catering facilities for several years whilst training at Compton Park and before the building of the Sir Jack Hayward training ground in 2005.
“We always used to enjoy coming here after training as we would always get a great welcome and we were well looked after,” says Murray.
“There was also the opportunity for plenty of banter with players, coaches and the staff which was always good fun.
“The facilities are fantastic, and, given how everyone knows how much I love working out in the gym, this looks like it is going to keep the members really busy with their fitness sessions.
“Anything that pushes people to keeping themselves fit and in good condition is always important, and I am sure The Pit will prove a valuable addition to such a great club with so many different sports on offer.”
The additional Strength & Conditioning area has been decked out with new equipment and will add even more variety to the sessions put on by the System Energize team of personal trainers at WLTSC.
“This new facility will allow us to prepare our elite athletes for competition using the latest techniques,” said Paul Fothergill, Head of System Energize.
“This will add a positive knock-on effect not just to our aspiring athletes but all our regular gym users, as personal trainers will be able to deliver fitness programmes using up-to-date, functional equipment.
“Members will benefit from being able to follow the training techniques used by professional athletes and celebrities as they too aim to reach their goals.”
Marc Hughes, Operations Manager at WLTSC, added: “We were delighted to welcome Matt to the club to officially open the new and additional Strength & Conditioning facility.
“As a club we are always keen to keep moving forward and making progress, whether it is in our tennis, squash and racketball programmes, but also with fitness and the social side of the club.
“It will be great to see members able to work out in The Pit as well as our existing top quality gym, and we are also holding discussions at the moment with a view to bring in even more exciting developments in the future.”
https://www.expressandstar.com/news/local-hubs/wolverhampton/2018/09/24/matt-murray-kicks-off-new-fitness-area-at-wolverhampton-club/
*Fancy giving ‘The Pit’ a go along with all our other excellent facilities for tennis, squash, racketball and social events? Pop in to the club or call (01902) 755265 to discuss membership options.
by Aimee Richards | Aug 15, 2018 | Gym News, News - General, Social News
A pair of fitness fanatics from Wolverhampton Lawn Tennis & Squash Club have chalked up a hugely impressive 80 years of combined circuit training – and have no intention of stopping just yet!
Chris Law, aged 64, from Codsall, and Paul Davies, 69, from Wheaton Aston, still put their bodies through the intense conditioning and endurance training several times a week at the club, based in Newbridge near Tettenhall.
Chris has now been taking part in weekly circuit training sessions for some 48 years, and Paul for 32, making it an impressive eight decades of fitness work between them!
“I first started back in 1970, at Wulfrun College, and from the moment I got started, it became addictive,” says Chris, who retired two years ago after a career spent with British Gas and in IT withTarmac.
“Doing fitness training gives me an adrenaline rush, and, when you get into the routine of it, I also find it really enjoyable.
“It is great to have somebody like Paul to train with as he doesn’t know how to take it easy!
“We have been at the same sessions for so many years that we both know what we can do, what speed we can work at, and when we need to push each other on.”
Paul, who worked as a Materials Manager in various manufacturing industries before running his own engineering business, also started with the sessions at Wulfrun College, back in 1986.
“You really can’t beat keeping fit by doing these sessions, and if you miss one during the week you certainly feel it,” he says.
“When the gym started up here and the circuit sessions started in 1999, myself and Chris were both at the very first one.
“We know our limitations, but we never give up, and while we sometimes have to patch ourselves up with injuries the benefits far outweigh any problems!”
Both have also been involved in football in their younger days – Paul with Willenhall Town until he was 27 and Chris with Oxbarn in the Sunday League, as well as cycling.
Paul this year completed the Wolverhampton to Aberdovey ride for the first time while Chris focuses more on off-road cycling.
Chris, whose next motivation is to reach the 50-year landmark, has estimated he has been through approximately 3,500 circuit training sessions in his life so far.
“Do you think you will ever get fit?” quips Paul!
Paul Fothergill, Head of Fitness at WLTSC, is one of the Energize Personal Trainers who takes the sessions at which Chris and Paul are such loyal attendees alongside many others of a much younger age.
He says: “These guys are a true inspiration, fighting fit, never miss a class and will train with anyone.
“It just highlights what we aim to achieve here in that any age, any ability – our club is absolutely about fitness being for everyone.”
So what would the duo say to anyone else of a certain age who perhaps needs to get themselves a little bit fitter?
“Give it a go,” says Chris.
“The sessions here are very hard work but the trainers also make it fun and we have some great laughs.
“Everybody is different in what they can achieve but once you find out what you can do it is not only good for you but also really enjoyable.”
PICTURE: Chris Law and Paul Davies, and Head of Fitness at WLTSC Paul Fothergill, face the camera with the Thursday night circuits squad!
by Aimee Richards | Jul 26, 2018 | Community Events, News - General, Social News
A group of WLTSC riders who completed the Wolverhampton to Aberdovey bike ride have handed over the cheque for the money raised to Birmingham’s Queen Elizabeth Hospital.
Forty riders from WLTSC took part in this year’s event in June, and combined to raise a fantastic £8,285 which was handed over to Sophie Carroll, Fundraising Officer from the hospital, at the club on Wednesday afternoon.
“Aberdovey was a great challenge, with WLTSC putting in the team with the most riders at the event,” says Operations Manager Marc Hughes.
“It was another real show of support from the club, with the majority of the team being made up of WLTSC members, and completed by some close friends.
“There was also a lot of support from everyone else at the club, and that has seen us go past our fundraising target and donate over £8,285 to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital.”
There were many reasons why WLTSC chose the Queen Elizabeth to be the beneficiary of this year’s ride.
The hospital treated hugely popular former club member Robert Marshall in his final days before passing away last November whilst also helping Ryan Hughes, Marc’s nephew, in both treatment and rehabilitation following a brain tumour.
Ryan actually joined the cyclists for the 105-mile ride this year, along with his Dad Paul, and Marc.
Many other club members are also indebted to the care of the QEH, including Emma Tilley, who was there at Aberdovey to cheer the WLTSC group which included her Dad Dave.
“I was diagnosed with leukaemia three years ago when I was 19,” says Emma.
“For the specialist treatment that I required, I could only go to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, and I was admitted to Ward 625 where I spent seven weeks undergoing a stem cell transplant and programme of intense chemotherapy and radiotherapy.
“The hospital has done so much for me, Professor Charlie Craddock and the consultants and specalists.
“They are the reason why I am still here today – I owe it all to them – and throughout my treatment the hospital has always really helped me.
“I am now in remission, and still go in for checks every few months, and was only in last week to see the consultant.
“I saw some familiar faces from three years ago, and they can’t believe how far I have come since that time – it is amazing.
“So I was very proud that the club decided to support the QEH, and it was fantastic to see how everyone came together to do the ride to Aberdovey and raise such a large amount of money.”
*Thanks to Sophie Carroll, from the Fundraising team at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, who came over to WLTSC to receive the cheque.
