We are delighted to have a number of our club’s coaches, members and volunteers mentioned at this years Cheshire LTA awards on Monday 9th December 2024.
Terry Smith, was runner up in the Young Person of the Year award. Terry has been a member at HLTC since he was 6. He has competed in Hoylake teams and Cheshire tournaments from Mini Red right up to open age with enthusiasm and a determination to always get better. At 16 Terry completed his level 1 and soon after level 2 and level 3 coaching qualifications. As a coach Terry has instilled his passion for the game across to the mini and junior members at Hoylake, he has encouraged children to play tennis with enthusiasm, determination and enjoyment just as he did through his junior years.
Head coach Craig Longman and coach Vicky McNeight were recognised as Cheshire County champions having won in the mens and ladies singles and mixed doubles earlier in the year.
The highlight of the evening was our current club captain, Clair Miller winning the Cheshire LTA Lifetime Achievement Award. Clair has been a committed member of Hoylake since childhood. Clair’s grandfather founded the club in 1913 and since 1983 Claire has been a Trustee. She has held several pivotal roles including Club Captain on 3 occasions, Club Chairman (2009 – 2014 including the club’s centenary year) Welfare officer, Safeguarding officer and Junior coordinator. In fact, Claire has been on the committee for nearly 40 consecutive years! Clair has given her heart and soul to the club for decades. Clair handles a lot of tasks for the club: afternoon tea rota for social tennis, collecting match fees, floodlight access, ensuring score cards and balls are available, preparing match meals, manning the bar, umpiring club tournaments and she even helped to rebuild the clubhouse following a fire in 1985! HLTC would not be where it is now without the many years of dedication, hard work and love for tennis. As a Cheshire LTA Tennis Award winner Clair will go through to the LTA Regional Awards and then, if successful, to the LTA National Awards. Congratulations Clair it is a well deserved win and good luck for the regional awards!
