An Update On Our New Gym!

Hello to the ARC community. I am Tom Chambers your new gym and fitness manager. Since starting at the beginning of September I have been busy designing and planning our new gym so I am pleased to be able to offer you all an update.  

The gym will be called ARC Fitness. It will boast a large functional training area and offer a top-quality range of free weights and cardio equipment. Only this week we have put plans into effect by ordering the equipment.  

The kit-out will include x17 cardio equipment options including, bikes, rowers, skiergs, a cross trainer and treadmill. A full range of free weights including barbells and plates, dumbbells, kettlebells and slam/sand/medicine balls. We also have a few fixed weight machines such as bench press, leg press, cable column. 

The gym program will offer open gym access throughout the day. In addition, we will start with several classes running each day including our signature functional fitness class, HiiT and a tennis specific class.

The current timeline is for the gym to be opened by December. I hope that you find it as exciting as we do to welcome the latest offering to the Centre (as well as finally getting changing facilities!)

I will be looking to hold some free taster sessions in the time between now and opening so please get involved.

Finally, do get in touch with any gym related questions, I will be providing more updates and details of memberships shortly!!

Tom Chambers
Gym & Fitness Manager
Mobile: 07833797531
Email: gym@atlanticracquetcentre.co.uk

View fullsize

View fullsize

View fullsize

View fullsize

ARC Awards Evening 2021

Saturday 27th November 2021 - 7.00pm - 8.00pm

We’re excited to be hosting the first ever ARC Awards Evening on Saturday 27th November at 7pm. The event will take place here at ARC, so wrap-up warm as we can’t promise the heating will be ready by then!

The evening is open to ARC members of all ages and their families to get together, have a drink and celebrate a successful year of racquet sport across Tennis, Badminton and Table Tennis. Awards will cover everything including most improved players, volunteer of the year, club championship winners, special recognition awards and many more.

We’ll be running a small bar selling refreshments and nibbles to keep you going through all the clapping and cheering and the centre will stay open until 9.30pm for those wanting to continue to socialise after the awards have finished.

We’ll look forward to seeing as many of you there as possible.

First Badminton ARC Club Championship

---

Two new events were held as part of the ARC Club Championships. For the first time there were Badminton Competitions. Members enjoyed 2 nights of doubles and Singles for both Ladies and Men. 15 people entered each event. Large amounts of matches took place in the doubles but the singles took a more traditional format. Great fun was had by everyone and the competition was fierce. Lots of trophies were won and these will be awarded at the ARC Awards night (details to follow)

We look forward to having more in the future!

We're Hiring - Gym & Fitness Manager

Atlantic Racquet Centre (ARC) are seeking to appoint a Gym & Fitness Manager to be accountable and responsible for all gym and fitness activities involving ARC, ensuring that the facility is sustainable, fully functional and operational on a day to day basis and delivering a user experience of the highest quality.

ARC is a brand new community racquets & fitness centre where everyone can exercise, socialise and learn together. The centre currently boasts over 850 members regularly accessing our 10 tennis courts, 3 badminton courts and table tennis tables. The next phase of the project is the addition of a brand new purpose built Gym space and fitness studio in late 2021.

Our vision is to create a gym for local people who participate in community sport. Our unique, inclusive, and accessible gym space will provide a multi-purpose, functional and spacious full body workout room for people across North Devon who regularly participate in sport or who are looking to improve their health & wellbeing through fitness and exercise.

The Gym & Fitness Manager will take responsibility for the design, implementation and ongoing management of the brand new Gym & Fitness offering. Responsibility for the profit and loss of the Gym & Fitness programme will sit with this role, including the preparation of monthly financial information for the general manager. They will have overall programming responsibility within the gym & fitness operation including gym timetables and classes and will recruit and manage the team of staff & volunteers required to operate the gym, ensuring they deliver a high standard at all times. The successful applicant will  be key in ensuring the success of the gym & fitness arm of the business.

The Gym & Fitness Manager will be answerable to the General manager and will work closely with the General Manager on the delivery of the long-term objectives of the charity. As well as focussing specifically on the Gym & Fitness offering, they will take an active role in strategic decision making, business planning, and will ensure the ARC Vision, mission and community values are represented in everything they do. They will work alongside the General Manager to ensure the smooth running of the facilities on a day to day basis and deputise for the General Manager is his absence.

The Gym & Fitness manager will take an active role in the sales and marketing of the whole centre and the continued growth & development of our community focussed membership scheme.

The Essential requirements of the successful candidate:

·       Experiencing in managing a large Gym facility and associated fitness programme
·       Experience in growing a Gym and a programme that fits the needs of the users
·       Experience of motivating and managing a team of personal trainers
·       Understanding the charitable aims and objectives of ARC
·       Strong leadership and team management skills
·       Prepared to take on a challenge
·       Energy, personality, ambition and a passion for fitness
·       Safeguarding Level 1  

Additional skills:

·       Personal Trainer qualified to level 3
·       An interest in strength & conditioning/ physical training for sport
·       Proven track record in growing a facility programme and membership
·       Experience of grant applications and bid writing
·       Additional safeguarding training 

Position type: Permanent

Salary:             £25,000 - £30,000 + performance related bonuses

Hours:             40 hours per week with some unsociable hours being required

Employer:       ARC Centre Ltd and ARC Tennis & Sports Club

References:     2 Referees will be required

DBS:                 Satisfactory DBS check will be required

How to apply: Covering letter + CV in email format to tom@atlanticracquetcentre.co.uk

Closing date:   Monday 2nd August

Interviews:      Week commencing 2nd August

Start date:       September 2021

We're Hiring - Head Racquet Coach

Atlantic Racquet Centre: Head Racquet Coach

Atlantic Racquet Centre (ARC) are seeking to appoint a Head Racquet Coach to manage our team of coaches and lead on specific aspects of our successful coaching programme.

The Head Racquet Coach is answerable to the General Manager and will be responsible for the day to day management of a growing team of employed and self-employed Tennis, Badminton, Squash & Table Tennis coaches.

The Head Racquet Coach will work predominantly as an ‘on-court’ Tennis Coach delivering a number of hours on our adult, community, performance & club tennis programmes. They will also have a number of ‘off-court’ hours to be used for leading and overseeing the racquet programme. The Head Racquet Coach will work closely with our existing Community Tennis and Performance Tennis Leads to maintain the already established high standards across the Tennis programme and they will also oversee and organise the development and growth of our fledgling Badminton, Table Tennis & Squash programmes as part of their role.

The Head Racquet Coach will be required to report monthly to the General Manager , providing quantitative and qualitative data on the success and health of the programme.

The ideal candidate will be an experienced and confident Lead Tennis Coach with an interest in all racquet sports. They will have experience of managing a busy tennis programme and retaining players. They will be experienced in managing a team of staff. They will be comfortable with producing the basic marketing materials and web pages associated with running a racquet programme and able to produce monthly reports.

The position will be a permanent employed role for 30 – 40 hours per week with the possibility to top up income with individual private lessons on a self-employed basis.

The essential requirements of the successful candidate:

·       Level 3 LTA Accredited Tennis Coach or higher

·       Experience of working in a busy tennis coaching programme

·       Experiencing in managing a small team of staff

·       An interest in Racquet Sport in general – Tennis, Badminton, Table Tennis, Squash

·       Computer literate and able to produce the basic marketing materials and web pages associated with running a racquet programme

·       Able to produce monthly reports

·       Safeguarding Level 1 

Additional skills:

·       Experience of managing a busy tennis programme and retaining players

·       A special interest in Racquet Sport

·       Additional racquet sport coaching qualifications

Position type: Permanent, Employed

Salary:             Pay based on skills and experience

Hours:             30 - 40 hours per week with some unsociable hours being required

Employer:       ARC Centre Ltd and ARC Tennis & Sports Club

References:     2 Referees will be required

DBS:                 Satisfactory DBS check will be required

How to apply: Covering letter + CV in email format to tom@atlanticracquetcentre.co.uk

Closing date:   Friday 30th July 2021

Interviews:      Week commencing 2nd August 2021

Start date:       September 2021

We're Hiring - General Manager Role

Atlantic Racquet Centre: General Manager Role

Atlantic Racquet Centre (ARC) are seeking to appoint a general manager to be accountable and responsible for all activities involving ARC, ensuring that the facility is sustainable, fully functional and operational on a day-to-day basis and delivering a user experience of the highest quality.

 The general manager is answerable to the Board of Trustees and will be responsible for delivery of the long-term objectives of the Charity.  The general manager will take an active role in strategic decision making, business planning, will be the custodian of the ARC Vision, mission and community values, and will be responsible for all day-to-day activities.

 Overall responsibility for the operational profit and loss of the centre will sit with the general manager including monthly reporting to the Board of Trustees, together with overall programming responsibility including coaching programmes, court hire and the outreach programme.  The role will involve directing and overseeing all racquet sport activity and ensuring our coaches deliver a high standard at all times.

 The general manager will also oversee the activities of the gym manager and contribute to the successful operation of the gym and fitness activities at ARC.

 The general manager will oversee all bar and catering activities.

 The general manager will also take on direct responsibility for site health & safety, statutory obligations, upkeep/maintenance & safeguarding. Also ensuring staff and contractors are appropriately trained and that rotas are in place for all key activities.

 The Essential requirements of the successful candidate:

 ·         Experiencing in managing a sports facility that operates with a mix of membership and general users

·         Experience in growing a centre and a programme that fits the needs of the users, understanding the mix between competing revenue streams

·         Experience of motivating and working with volunteers

·         Understanding and delivering the charitable aims and objectives of ARC

·         Strong leadership and team management skills

·         Prepared to take on a challenge

·         Safeguarding Level 1

 Additional skills:

 ·         A special interest in Racquet Sports

·         Proven track record in growing a facility programme and utilisation

·         Experience of managing a volunteer programme

·         Experience of delivering a charitable vision and ambition

·         Experience of grant applications and bid writing

·         Additional safeguarding training

Position type:  Permanent

Salary:             £30,000 - £40,000 dependent upon experience

Hours:             40 hours per week with some unsociable hours being required

 Employer:        ARC Centre Ltd and ARC Tennis & Sports Club

 References:     2 Referees will be required

 DBS:                 Satisfactory DBS check will be required

 How to apply:  Covering letter + CV in email format to info@atlanticracquetcentre.co.uk

 Closing date:   Sunday 27 June

 Interviews:      Week commencing 28 June

 Start date:       September 2021

Try Tennis For Free!

Fancy trying something new in 2021? Come along to our fantastic open day event and try tennis for free. We've got sessions for all ages and abilities so whether you're a rusty racquet or newbie swinger, its a great day to come and get involved.

The Cat That Loved Racquet Sport

In February 2021 we were very sad to have to say goodbye to our beloved Tennis Cat. The third Covid-19 lockdown was a particularly cold and wet one and whilst he was cared for fantastically by our amazing volunteers who visited him every day for a feed and a cuddle, it was decided that now was time to find Tennis Cat a more permanent home. During his entire life with us he’s been extremely well cared for, not least due to the amazing support of Gareth Cross and the team at Witten Park Vets in Northam. However, with his age unknown, and his future uncertain with the opening of our full facility later this year, we decided that it was in his best interests for us to find him a retirement home. It was during the process of getting him formally adopted by one of our lovely Tennis members, Lynn, that the full details of the mysterious ‘Cat that loved racquet sport’ came to light. As a final farewell to our long serving mascot, we wanted to share his story.

Tennis Cat keeping an eye on the Davis Cup Trophy tour at ARC in 2016

Enjoying one of his favourite sun bathing spots!

When the first balls were hit on the brand-new outdoor tennis courts at ARC in spring 2015 the elated members & coaches of ARC believed that they were the new lords of the land in this beautiful new countryside setting on the edge of Bideford – how wrong they were. From the very first time the courts were used there was a quiet by curious presence on the site. The biggest Tabby cat you’ve ever seen stood guard over the land which he had owned before us, staking his claim to it on a daily basis.

In the early days people were unsure of how to react to the feline figure who greeted them as they arrived for their afternoon game. He did after all resemble more of a puma or cheetah than a gentle house cat. However before long his temperament shone through – always willing to stroked, never scratching, and always begging to be fed! The anonymous cat went through a sundry of names during this period – Roger (Federer), Socks (due to his white feet) and Catlantic (A pun on the ARC brand) to name a few. However, it wasn’t long before his final name stuck. He was never far from our coaching team, two of whom have always been referred to as ‘the Tennis Tom’s’ by the younger members of ARC, and so the sidekick nickname of Tennis Cat became the chosen title.

Tennis Cat in his house

By early 2016 Tennis Cat or ‘TC’ for short was so much a part of the centre that he even had his own wooden house complete with name tag. Between spending hours basking in the sun, being stroked on somebody’s lap, playing tag with groups of children of varying ages and pouncing on the occasional stray tennis ball, Tennis Cat loved nothing more than to sit and watch people play Tennis; or even better - have something to eat whilst watching people play Tennis! It didn’t matter what time of day, what weather, who was playing, Tennis Cat was always present at ARC. He cheered on our league teams, supported our youngest players in coaching sessions and consoled those who had suffered defeats. He truly was the most friendly and loyal cat. He even once befriended a police officer who would come to check the security of ARC during night shifts. It had such an effect that the same officer made a special trip to ARC to say goodbye to TC before he moved to be stationed to a different part of the country! Despite his friendship with an officer of the law, he wasn’t always in the good books. In summer 2017 he snuck into the temporary clubhouse during a lady’s league game and devoured an entire quiche that had been baked freshly for the post match tea – its safe to say he wasn’t in his cat house that evening but was very much in the doghouse instead!

Tennis Cat helping to referee an indoor tournament in 2020

In January 2018, the members of ARC were kind enough to build Tennis Cat the biggest indoor cat playground ever known to felines. We called it our Indoor Tennis & Badminton Hall – TC had other ideas. Despite our best efforts to keep him outside, Tennis Cat would make daily rounds of the Indoor Tennis and Badminton courts to see the latest racquet sport drama unfolding. It was at this time that we realised that TC wasn’t just bias to watching Tennis – those flying feathered shuttlecocks proved to be just as irresistible as fluffy tennis balls! He’d often be found curled up on a comfortable chair stacked neatly behind the court curtains, hoping to go unnoticed so as to spend the night locked inside his upsized cat shed!

The cat not afraid of dogs

Not only was Tennis Cat a fierce Racquet sport fan and valued coaching assistant but he also carried out an important job for us – he kept our unwanted rodent friends at bay as well as a few more friendly species too sadly! Many mornings the staff were greeted by the results of the previous evening’s hunting – including mice, rats, birds, rabbits, and squirrels! He was also sure that ARC would not become the favoured spot of canines. Never before had anyone anywhere seen a fully grown Alsatian quiver and run from a cat. It didn’t matter what species, big or small, Tennis Cat would not tolerate dogs on his patch and would hold his ground intently until they scarpered! Whilst he was a very capable hunter, he was lucky enough to not have to rely on this for his food. A dedicated group of volunteers shared a rota to feed Tennis Cat every single day of the year – including bringing him some Turkey on Christmas Day each year! On top of this core group of volunteer’s countless other members and users would make special trips up to the centre to bring TC their tasty leftovers, donate some food to his supply, or simply to give him a cuddle. We’re really pleased that one of these volunteers, Lynn, has agreed to permanently adopt Tennis Cat at her home in Bideford where he is now living with the apt new name of Thomas!

Tennis Cat hiding in somebody's Tennis bag!

Whilst we all got used to seeing Tennis Cat every day, a huge mystery surrounded his life before ARC. Often people would ask “where did he come from?”, “how old is he?”, “does he have another home?”. Many theories were banded around about our fluffy friend’s origins. Some said he was a farm cat who had abandoned his farmer in search of a better life in the racquet & fitness industry. Others believed he snuck back to a little old lady’s house every evening for his supper and milk before returning to the courts at the crack of dawn the next morning. All of the various theories were valid – but our answer was always simple – “he was here before us and this is his racquet centre”. For years Tennis Cat’s true identity as a mystery, he lived happily under the radar leading us to believe he had always been a stray. It wasn’t until February 2021 when we took him to the Vets to arrange his adoption that the cat was finally let out of the bag - if you’ll excuse the pun.

Puck aka Tennis Cat as a kitten in 2010

This feline fugitive who had shown an uncanny love of racquet sport was actually named ‘Puck’. Puck, named after the mischievous fairy who delights in playing pranks on mortals in Shakespeare’s a Midsummer Night’s Dream, was 11 years old and as it turns out had been playing a prank on us mortals at ARC for the past 6 years, leading us to believe he was a wild stray. In fact, he had run away from his home, in nearby Moreton Park Road, 9 years ago in 2012. His owner Chloe had let him out one day and never seen him again! Little did she know that he’d been living approximately 1 mile away on the fringes of Caddsdown Industrial Estate the whole time. What he was doing for the 3 years prior to ARC being built will forever be a mystery, but one thing is certain – he is a very tough and clever Cat. We do know that before we arrived, he was often seen at the nearby Bideford Recycling Centre – maybe he decided he was more interest in sport than recycling? Or perhaps he was unaware of our delay in gaining planning permission when he set out on his journey for a new life in racquet sport and made his move too early?

Either way its fair to say that Tennis Cat was universally adored by the members and users of ARC and will be fiercely missed. Whilst we’re extremely sad that he won’t be around anymore we’re really pleased that he’s found a loving home with Lynn and are looking forward to receiving updates and hearing stories from the next chapter of his life. We’re sure he’ll have a purrrfect retirement.

Written by Tom Vinall 24/02/2021

Turkey for Christmas Dinner every year since 2015!

Always time for a nap!

A regular sight on the decking next to the outside Tennis courts

TC with his racquet & bag!

Curled up for the night

We all know who was really in charge at ARC…

Closed For Now

We’re very sad to be closing the centre once again as part of the nationwide England lockdown. Whilst its a shame to close our amazing facility we completely support the government’s action and are proud to be supporting the national effort to protect the NHS and save lives.

During this period the majority of our staff will be furloughed but our Centre Manager will be available for some limited hours to respond to emails/voicemails so if you have any questions please do get in touch but expect a delayed response.

We’re looking forward to seeing you all back as soon as possible to share in the physical and mental health benefits that we know sport provides.

Find Your Fit This January

ARC has partnered with G4 Gym in Bideford to bring you a programme of great fitness sessions here at the centre. Whether you’re looking to improve your fitness or build up your strength & flexibility to prevent injury we’ve got a brilliant range of sessions for you starting from January 4th 2021.

ALL SESSIONS MUST BE PRE-BOOKED IN ADVANCE USING CLUBSPARK - OUR ONLINE BOOKING SYSTEM

FULL BODY WORKOUT

Tuesdays 6.45pm - 7.30pm
Saturdays 8.00am - 8.45am
£6.00 Members / £7.00 Non-Members

Our full body workout is a great session for anyone wanting to lose weight, get toned or improve their general fitness. Each session will include a mixture of cardio, strength and flexibility exercises focusing on different muscle groups. You’ll improve your overall fitness whilst developing your strength, balance and co-ordination. The session will be delivered by a friendly and experienced expert instructor from G4 Gym in partnership with ARC, and will take place on one of our Indoor Tennis Courts. All equipment is provided so you just need to come along with a drink, sports clothing and be ready to get moving!

BOOK YOUR SESSION

BEGINNER FULL BODY WORKOUT

Mondays 9.30am - 10.15am
£6.00 Members / £7.00 Non-Members

Our full body workout is a great session for anyone wanting to lose weight, get toned or improve their general fitness. Each session will include a mixture of cardio, strength and flexibility exercises focusing on different muscle groups. You’ll improve your overall fitness whilst developing your strength, balance and co-ordination. The session will be delivered by a friendly and experienced expert instructor from G4 Gym in partnership with ARC, and will take place on one of our Indoor Tennis Courts. All equipment is provided so you just need to come along with a drink, sports clothing and be ready to get moving!

BOOK YOUR SESSION

CARDIO TENNIS

Tuesdays 10.00am - 11.00am
Saturdays 9.00am - 10.00am
£6.00 Members / £7.00 Non-Members

A fun, sociable group fitness class set on a tennis court and open to people of all ages and abilities. Supported by music and qualified instructors, you'll get to hit loads of tennis balls during your class and have a great cardio workout at the same time. No Tennis skills required - but you’ll definitely pick some up along the way! All equipment is provided so you just need to come along with a drink, sports clothing and be ready to get moving!

BOOK YOUR SESSION

ARC Players Smash Up A Storm in October!

October saw many of our junior players in action. The U12 Nexus Tennis tour at ARC was won by Nick Beer (his first LTA Tournament win) Seb Robinson won the consolation event. Well done to Freya and Ebon also for entering their first Nexus event.

James and Michael Lethem Gent have been on tour, playing at Exeter, Yeovil, Martock and Ivybridge. James was RU in Exeter and Michael was 3rd in Yeovil.

Friday 30th October saw ARC host our new Junior Boost tournament for all junior players currently on the tennis and badminton programme. 73 ARC players took part throughout the day in both Tennis & Badminton. Everyone played with fantastic enthusiasm and showed brilliant sportsmanship throughout the whole event. In total 222 matches were played over the event.

The inaugural adult ARC Winter Open attracted some of our older juniors. Special mention goes to Katie Rowe for winning the Ladies Singles and 16 year old Matt Daniel for winning the Men’s B draw.

ARC players did well in other events too with Lewie Parker gaining the Men’s Title, Rupert George winning the Men’s Doubles, Tom Poole was RU in the Mixed, Men’s Singles and Men’s Doubles with Lewie. In the Vet’s Men’s Doubles Andy Koval and Ian Leonard claimed the title. The final event saw Gerald Sussex winning the Vet’s Mixed Doubles, with his partner Teresa Poole.

It was great to see so many ARC players enjoying the tournament (some for the first time) despite all the Covid rules. Look out for this event next October! 

WANTED: Freelance Fitness Instructor

Freelance Fitness Instructor – Atlantic Racquet Centre – Bideford

Atlantic Racquet Centre is looking for a freelance fitness instructor able to deliver some form of fitness sessions on one of our outdoor or indoor tennis courts. We are open to ideas and willing to explore multiple formats, session options and times, as a way of kick-starting our fitness offering at the centre before our purpose-built fitness facilities are completed in 2021.

The centre is an exciting new community racquet & fitness facility in Bideford which currently has 6 outdoor tennis courts, 4 indoor tennis courts, 3 Badminton courts and 2 table tennis tables. Once completed, the facility will also offer squash courts, a café area, 2 fitness studios and a large gym.

The successful applicant will work closely with our Centre Manager to design, promote and deliver a small programme of new fitness sessions at ARC.

The ideal candidate will have a clear idea of the type of session they could deliver on either an outdoor or indoor tennis court and will have experience of doing sessions in similar environments. They will be a confident, approachable, and professional fitness instructor with relevant qualifications. They will have a passion for community participation and be committed to our vision & mission.

We are essentially looking for applicants to come to us with a proposal for what they could deliver at the centre.

Start Date: January 2020.

Acceptance will be subject to satisfactory references and a DBS check.

If you are interested in applying, please send a covering letter briefly outlining your proposal, your CV and names of 2 referees to tom@atlanticracquetcentre.co.uk.

Applicants who meet the criteria will then be invited to interview to further discuss their proposal.

If you would like any further information regarding the position, please contact Tom Vinall – tom@atlanticracquetcentre.co.uk

Application Closing Date: Friday 18th December 2020 at 12pm.

Nexus Tournament Win!

ARC Junior, Nick Beer won his first LTA Tournament of his career last weekend. The Nexus 12 & Under for girls and boys attracted 12 players to ARC from around the county. Nick had a tough match in the semi-final, coming through 11-9 in the Championship tie-break. He went on to beat the No 1 seed (who was ranked higher than him) 4-2 4-3. As well as gaining points for his LTA Rating, he won a Nexus goody bag of tennis accessories. Nick is one of our U12 Performance players and hits regularly with his Dad. Nick has been playing since the age of 8.

Junior Tennis Tournament Success!

Over the past month ARC has hosted several LTA sanctioned junior tennis tournaments at weekends. The events have been really well supported with around 16 players competing in each event. For us the highlight of these events has been seeing so many of our own Junior players representing ARC and competing against players from across the county.

We’d like to say a huge well done to Matt, Oli & Adam who played in the 16&Under Nexus Event, Nick who took part in the 12&Under County Tour and to Troy, Jack, Olivia, Noah and James who are all set to take part in the Mini Orange Whirlwind event this Saturday. We’re so proud of you all for stepping up, taking part and setting an amazing example to the other players on the programme - keep up the good work! We’re looking forward to more of our players competing in the coming months including many ARC adult players in the ARC Winter Open in October.

It's one thing to have so many players competing in external tournaments held at ARC, but when one wins one of them its even better! A MASSIVE congratulations to 16&Under player Matt who managed to fend off 15 other players to win the 16&Under Nexus event held at ARC last weekend. Matt has trained with us here at ARC since age 9 and its amazing to see him finally getting the results he deserves!

We’d also like to say a huge thankyou to the ARC referee’s and volunteer court umpires who have given up many hours of their time to make these events happen!

#TeamARC!

Eric’s National Series Success

Eric Lorimer, who trains at Atlantic Racquet Centre, Bideford, won the LTA National Series held in August and will now go on to play the National Finals on 26th September at facilities located near Derby, against seven of the other National Series finalists.

Eric was invited to play at the National Series U10 event held at Millfield School, Somerset, on 15th August and 23rd August, along with 11 other boys amongst the top 36 best-rated players in the country in his age-group. A similar U10 National Series event was organised in two other venues across the country each with 12 boys.  At each event each player had to play every other player (round-robin) in a FAST4 set such that every player had a minimum of 11 sets to play over two Sundays. The top two from each National Series event and the two best third placed players from all three groups would qualify for the National Finals due to take place on 26th September. Eric did remarkably well and won all of his 11 matches qualifying as first in his group. All of his match results were either 4-1 or 4-2 with the exception of one set which he won 4-3 on the tie break to 10 (11-9) having saved one match point against him at 8-9.

The draw format of the finals of the National Series is an 8 player compass draw played over 1 day (26th September).  All matches will be two FAST4 sets plus a deciding match tie-break if the score reaches one set all.  We hope Eric will enjoy playing his matches and do his very best in all aspects of the game.

NEW WEEKEND RACQUET ASSISTANT ROLE

Part-Time Weekend Racquets Assistant – Atlantic Racquet Centre – Bideford

Atlantic Racquet Centre is looking for a part-time weekend racquets assistant to help enable to centre to extend its weekend opening hours and programmes.

The centre is an exciting brand-new facility in Bideford which currently has 6 outdoor tennis courts, 4 indoor tennis courts and 3 Badminton courts. Once completed, the facility will also offer squash courts, a multi-sports hall, large gym and café area.

The successful applicant will be required to complete 3 main duties on a weekly basis as detailed below:

1.       Assist with packing up of Badminton courts on Saturday’s from 5.00pm. (Approx. 30 mins).

2.       Unlock Indoor Tennis & Badminton Hall on Sunday Mornings at 9.30am (Approx. 15 mins).

3.       Lock-Up Indoor Tennis & Badminton Hall on Sunday Evenings at 5.00pm (Approx. 15 mins).

The ideal candidate will be a reliable and trustworthy person with excellent time-keeping skills who is willing to spare an hour of their time at weekends to help our community centre continue to grow and offer our facilities to more and more users.

The position essentially covers 1 hour a week and will be paid at £15.00 per week. There will be occasional weekends where one or more of the 3 duties may not be required, in such cases the weekly pay will be reduced accordingly.

Start Date: As soon as possible.

Acceptance will be subject to satisfactory references and a DBS check.

If you are interested in applying, please send your CV and names of 2 referees to tom@atlanticracquetcentre.co.uk.

If you would like any further information regarding the position, please contact Tom Vinall – tom@atlanticracquetcentre.co.uk

Application Closing Date: Wednesday 16th September 2020 at 12pm.

NEW COMPETITION ORGANISER ROLE

Part-Time Competition Organiser – Atlantic Racquet Centre – Bideford

Atlantic Racquet Centre is looking for a part-time Competition Organiser to manage our many sanctioned LTA tournaments that take place at the centre.

The centre is an exciting brand-new facility in Bideford which currently has 6 outdoor tennis courts, 4 indoor tennis courts and 3 Badminton courts. Once completed, the facility will also offer squash courts, a multi-sports hall, large gym and café area.

The successful applicant will work closely with our Centre Manager and Coaching Team and will be responsible for organising and managing all aspects of LTA sanctioned competitions at ARC. This will include:

         Planning, applying for and creating a full programme of events each competition season

·         Booking courts, organising Referees, and purchasing balls & equipment

·         Promoting events on social media and elsewhere

·         Managing the entry process, responding to entry enquiries, and creating draws in the lead up to events

·         Managing and uploading results post event

·         Sharing and publicising the results and success stories post event

The ideal candidate will have good IT literacy and a good knowledge of the LTA competitions framework and relevant software. They will be familiar with social media platforms and confident in how to use them effectively. They will have previous experience of organising and running Tennis competitions and be able to evidence this. An ABTO referee qualification along with in date Officials Accreditation is desirable.

The position will be 3 hours per week with the timing of these 3 hours flexible. Pay will be based on qualification and experience.  

Whilst the position will initially focus on LTA sanctioned events only there is the possibility for the role to expand in future into our own internal competition programme and events.

Start Date: September 2020.

Acceptance will be subject to satisfactory references and a DBS check.

If you are interested in applying, please send your CV and names of 2 referees to tom@atlanticracquetcentre.co.uk.

If you would like any further information regarding the position, please contact Tom Vinall – tom@atlanticracquetcentre.co.uk

Application Closing Date: Wednesday 16th September 2020 at 12pm.