ABOUT FITZWILLIAM LAWN TENNIS CLUB

Fitzwilliam Lawn Tennis Club was established in 1877 and is one of the oldest Tennis Clubs in the world.

• 5 Tigerturf Advantage Artificial Grass Outdoor Tennis Courts, 4 Greenset Trophy Rubberised Indoor Tennis Courts, 2 Har Tru American Clay Courts, all floodlite
• 6 Squash Courts
• Fully equipped Gym, a 17 meter Swimming Pool, together with a Snooker Room.

TCB: LTC is listed on your website as a PRIVATE MEMBERS' CLUB - do the members own it? Like an equity membership? What does the structure look like from a tax point of view?
HS: Fitzwilliam LTC is a Private Members' Club with the assets held in trust by the Trustees. We are a 'not for profit' sporting organisation and as such the members cannot benefit financially from any surpluses or profits the Club may achieve.

TCB: Who are CLUB MANAGER, CLUB PRESIDENT, AND SPORTS COORDINATOR? Are there photos available for these people?
HS: The Club Manager is Peter Moran, the Club President is Martin Macdonnell, and the Sports Coordinator is Ciarán Murray.

TCB: Assuming the Sports Coordinator has a tennis profile? What is his/her background and qualification?
HS: Ciarán doesn't have a tennis background. He has a degree in Leisure Management.

TCB: How many tennis professionals work at FLTC? What's the ratio male to female?
HS: We have two approved tennis coaches and two approved squash coaches in the Club. Fitzwilliam LTC does not directly employ the coaches, rather it approves coaches for members to engage. We have one female and three male coaches.

TCB: What kinds of certifications do these tennis pros have? What is required by FLTC?
HS: Currently the tennis coaches are Owen Casey, Level 3 Tennis Ireland Coach and former Davis Cup player, with highest ATP ranking 228 ( singles) and 210 (doubles) and Lesley O'Halloran, Level 2 Tennis Ireland Coach and former Fed Cup player, with highest WTA ranking 113 ( doubles) and 402 (singles).
Our two approved squash coaches are Derek Ryan, Level 2 Squash Ireland Coach and former PSA world number 7. And Elva Da Costa, Level 3 Squash Ireland Coach.

TCB: Until 1996, FLTC used to be a men only club. What is the ratio male to female members nowadays?
HS: We currently have a ratio of 77:23 male to female. Given that the Club was founded in 1877 it will understandably take some time for the numbers to even out. Our current membership applications would be more evenly split.

TCB: You were the first female President of the club from 2017 until 2019. Are there more qualified females in the pipeline for this post?
HS: The membership elect the Club President at the Annual General Meeting for a two year term following a nomination process. The Presidency is open to all members. Nominated Presidents would normally have been involved on Club Committees or other Officer roles in the Club for a number of years. While I was the first female President elected in December 2016, there would now be many possible female candidates for the role.

TCB: What are your functions now at FLTC?
HS: I don't have any formal function in the Club now. Presidents normally serve for two years as Deputy President and then two years as President, once elected. Once you have finished your term, the Deputy President is more than ready to take the helm, and having spent four years in these roles you are ready to step down. I do get to attend the Past Presidents' Dinner!

TCB: How many members does FLTC have?
HS: The current membership is 2210.

TCB: What are the challenges for FLTC nowadays?
HS: Like most sports clubs one of the biggest challenges is attracting and maintaining our younger members. We have worked hard over the last few years in particular to improve offering to all members in this regard.
We are currently in the middle of a major club house redevelopment project, due for completion in early 2020, which has also been challenging, but which will transform the Club and deliver a very attractive, enlarged and improved facility.

TCB: Does the club have an opinion about Dave Miley unfortunately not being voted in as new ITF CEO?
HS: We were very disappointed for Dave at not being elected as the new ITF CEO. Dave put a lot of time, effort and his own resources into running for the position and had the backing of both Tennis Ireland and Sport Ireland. As an Irish person and a lifelong member of Fitzwilliam LTC we would have been very proud.

TCB: Have you heard of pickleball? Does the club offer it? Are you thinking about it?
HS: Yes I have heard of pickleball, but the Club does not have it.
We have been examining the possibility of introducing Padel tennis to the Club. It is popular with many of our members and we are considering a proposal to lay two Padel courts on a trial basis in the near future, once the Club house project is completed.

TCB: Do you still play tennis yourself? What is your racquet of choice?
HS: I still play tennis regularly in the Club, but more socially than competitively! Tennis would definitely be my racquet of choice, but I'm very happy to play Padel and Squash when invited!

TCB: Thank you, Helen Shields.