Chairman’s 2018 thank you message & improvements 2019

Chairman’s message,

May I take this opportunity to thank everyone who has been involved in the progression of the Club over the last 4 years as we have made significant changes which all of us have been so hugely craving.

Shout-out to Winchester House for providing the support on the major structural improvements which everyone agrees makes a considerable difference with positive sentiment already received from visiting teams, we now have an insider in the form of Kate Hardiman who now works there which is only a bonus.

This year has seen our best improvement for the Juniors and Ladies program with Martin Hall and his assistant Alistair Brown driving an amazing job including the Grand Prix events with the Northants Junior leagues starting, what a 2019 to look forward to. Note our Ladies night is every Friday at 19.20.

Both of our Oxfordshire entrant teams have achieved promotions,to Div 2 & 4, an all-time high for Brackley. Team 1 currently sitting top with 5 wins out of 5, Dave Millard leading a great captains job with stalwart Jason bringing in new blood now he has relocated to Aylesbury,our new No1, Lewis, only 17 year old having played for just two and a half years, please come down and support the teams in what is high-quality Squash viewing. Alex Bensley you better watch out next year, I know who will want the club championship cup next season!

Other key highlights include the recently-launched Club shop supported by Karakal, we're an official authorised distributor with all profits going directly into the future strength of the club as the town grows and we prepare for bigger & better thing. Payments can be made on-site via our PayPal reader or via 'A Club Purchase' online, note all products can be viewed on our HOME tab, Facebook (www.facebook.com/BrackleySquashClub) including prices upstairs inc sizing charts as well as on our noticeboard downstairs, contact a committee member for more info.

Please do 'like' our page and interact with us to help widen our online reach especially as we drive to attract millennials to our great sport, an especially difficult demographic for the sport to attract.

We have been in consultation with Squash Skills,an online platform with over 3500 how-to videos at all levels to help refine our game with advice given from the likes of Nick Matthew, Nicol David & Peter Nicol. All members will have free access providing you with the ability to learn new techniques anywhere in the world, saving you £59 p/a versus the regular consumer price, we will of course gauge feedback should we wish to continue with this beyond the next 12 months.

After several consultations with the school and our committee meeting vote we as of immediate effect will be putting the court fees to £4 & £6 given electric & gas have gone up following a 10 year fee freeze, we all agreed that this is still excellent value for money for this great sport & experience in the local area.

Finally, a special mention to Chris Foulkes who was the mastermind with all the hard graft knocking down the Court 1 viewing area wall and installing the smart-looking glass back and of course all the helpers Tim W, Ed, Martin H,Rich,Tony ,me and of course our great painter Brian C.

Here's to a great 2018/2019 season.

All the best,

Andy