Largs Tennis Club gave an ovation at their AGM to long serving coach Fiona Page on the announcement of her retirement from the game.

Following a recent knee operation, Fiona informed the club’s annual general meeting at the Woodhouse Hotel in Largs last Tuesday that she had to finish her popular coaching programme for primary and secondary school kids after school.

Douglas Park Secretary Alan McEwing described it as a ‘huge loss to the tennis club’ and described her as ‘irreplaceable’, while long serving member Anne Armstrong, a colleague of Fiona’s in the Largs tennis team for many years, said that it was a ‘massive’ blow after the many hours of work she had put in at Douglas Park for a generation of youngsters.

The hunt is now on for a new tennis coach. Coaching practice takes place after school during week days, but this may be flexible. If you can help, contact Alan McEwing on 01475 675909, or email alan@renniemcinnes.co.uk Due to the wealth of her knowledge, Mrs Page has agreed to stay on as President of the club, despite her non-playing role.

During the President’s report, Mrs Page revealed that adult membership had shown an increase, but junior attendances were on the decline. Mr McEwing said that there was an Ayrshire wide initiative to promote open days at clubs to encourage new membership.

It was also said that North Ayrshire Council were willing to give Largs Tennis Club a long term lease which would allow the club the opportunity to pursue grants to improve the surface. It was agreed that this should be made a priority of the committee. Mr McEwing said that efforts had been made to contact the council in terms of pursuing an all weather surface, but emails to leisure officers had not been responded to. Mr McEwing expressed frustration, and there was a feeling from club members that professional assistance was necessary, to help make a Largs community tennis club, in order to apply for funds, and bring about an all weather surface, which has been a long term goal of the club. It was agreed that the new club committee would attempt to gain a meeting with North Ayrshire Council at the earliest opportunity.

Both Alan McEwing and Lesley MacLellan have agreed to be club competition convenors for the season ahead, with proposals of having tournaments lasting over two successive weekends, and the possibility of an American tournament proposed.

Congratulations were given to both Largs Gents and Ladies first teams who were promoted last season, and to the Largs Masters team who won the Ayrshire wide competition.

A call was also made by various members to support the Monday night club evenings at Douglas Park. Fiona Page offered to help set up a rota system in the opening weeks of the season to make selections for the Monday night doubles pairings at club nights.

Concerns were raised about the poor quality of the weed killer used on the Douglas Park surface. The weed killer now has to be watered down due to environmental issues, and does not have the same strength. In recent seasons, the Douglas Park courts have not been ready in time for the new season, and it was agreed to pre-book Inverclyde Sports Centre for the Scottish Cup matches and the first few weeks of the league season which start in mid-April.

The club has received three pairs of tickets for Wimbledon which will be allocated randomly, including tickets for Gents semi-finals day on centre court.

Secretary Alan McEwing made an impassioned plea to attract new members to the tennis club, and for further interest in club committee affairs from within the club, as important positions within the club would need to be filled in subsequent years.

The new club committee includes Fiona Page (chairman), Alan McEwing (secretary), Andy Jones (treasurer), Anne Armstrong and Derek Ballantyne, and the club captains are Gents 1: Andy Auld, 2: Andy Jones, Ladies 1: Sue Wilkie, 2: Linda Cowden.

A buffet was also hosted at the Woodhouse Hotel which was enjoyed by all, but the club have plenty to chew over as they look towards the year ahead.