Thanks Miki, Welcome Jessica!
We say a BIG thank you to Miki who stood down this year as Tennis Chair, and a hello to Jessica Bavinton. Jessica introduces herself here, and provides us with some insight into what’s important to her as she takes the baton from Miki.
I’d first like to express an enormous thank you to Miki Lentin for his leadership as Tennis Chair and in particular the phenomenal work he did in improving our media strategy, website and in leading our club towards projects that matter so much to us all. A mere thank you is entirely insufficient for the hours of devotion he has shown the club, and for the constant presence, support and energy he has given to us all. We wish him well as he flies off on a round the world trip with his family.
I’m delighted to be elected as Chair because this club means so much to me. Every Chair brings something different to the club. I’ve been a tennis player since I was 6. My parents were founder members of my local tennis club, where I spent many hours finely balancing performance tennis with mischief. I played as a junior in the County team, and spent every week of every holiday playing competitively in tournaments nationally. I have an idea about what it takes to compete, and what matters to youngsters. Here at the club, I play for the ladies and mixed teams, and love hanging out on the benches chatting and soaking up the wonderful atmosphere.
I also know how precious it is to be part of a thriving, committed and fascinating community such as Highgate; a rare cohesive force not commonly found in cities. I look around me and see a core of incredibly committed people giving up their time to running this club; people who never ask for anything and just keep giving. I also see this club has energy and vision, and cares deeply about functioning as a unique community.
We have exciting times ahead. We have an extraordinary membership, and many ideas and plans ahead of us that seek to consolidate our club as not only a fabulous place to play tennis, but to live and to love life.
I’m personally committed to bringing cohesion, community, and vision to the club. I care about things running smoothly and efficiently, people loving their tennis and their club, and continuing to create wonderful and exciting projects we can all be proud to be a part of.
Watch this space: I will be communicating via this newsletter and in other ways throughout the year. In the meantime if you want to get in touch personally, please email tennis.chair.highgate@gmail.com.
Jessica Bavinton,
Chair, Tennis Committee