Joining a club

eager tortoise

Hello all,

This is my first time posting here. I have played tennis very casually over the years, and would still class myself very much as a beginner. However, it's something I come back to again and again and so I've been thinking recently about joining a club and getting some coaching. I've visited a local club and spoken briefly with the manager.

Basically I was wondering if anyone here has joined a club as a more-or-less total beginner(adult)? I know it's not that uncommon, I just was wondering how you got on settling into the club, taking lessons and getting involved. I've never been a member of a sports club before so it seems really scary to me!

Thanks in advance

Rob2D

Have you any friends that would consider joining with you, or do you already know anyone there? It'd be better to play a couple games with them first to get to know the place. If not, I would suggest starting lessons straight away as you'll certainly meet a few people that way.

eager tortoise

Thanks for that! No, have no friends willing to join and don't know anyone there! Think that's why I'm a bit nervous about taking the plunge I suppose coaching would be the way to go so...might contact the coach and ask about the type of classes they run. If it was a group thing with people of the same level I think I'd feel more at ease!

Rob2D

Theres group coaching at my club and it is a nice way to meet people. I wouldn't worry about skill level as there are probably 2 or 3 different classes and you'll be put in the right place.

Tin_Cup

Hi eager. Have been thinking the same thing myself for the last year or so but haven't taken the plunge to join anywhere yet. You might keep us posted on how you get on!

Floppybits

eager tortoise wrote: »

Hello all,

This is my first time posting here. I have played tennis very casually over the years, and would still class myself very much as a beginner. However, it's something I come back to again and again and so I've been thinking recently about joining a club and getting some coaching. I've visited a local club and spoken briefly with the manager.

Basically I was wondering if anyone here has joined a club as a more-or-less total beginner(adult)? I know it's not that uncommon, I just was wondering how you got on settling into the club, taking lessons and getting involved. I've never been a member of a sports club before so it seems really scary to me!

Thanks in advance

Hey tortoise,

I was in your position in May. I hadn't played tennis in about 15 - 20 years (jaysus that makes me feel old). I'm glad I joined now, they have coaching for all level on Tuesdays and they have a club night on thursdays when anyone can come down and play, its usually doubles but its a good way to get to know people in the club and a lot of the players in the club are good enough to help out other players with their shots. My advice is investigate the club and see what they have for beginners and how friendly it is, I know some clubs and its really competitive, then depending on what you found out take the plunge. Most clubs are really friendly and when they see a new face are only to happy to have knock up and before long you will know most people in there.

owensomers

A lot of clubs have social nights whre you can go down and play without obligation to get a feel for the place. You also get to see what the social scene is like and if there are people in your age group etc. Leinster Tennis Club in rathmines is supposed to be very good (and I believe realtively cheap) they are based in rathmines. Have a look at their website

eager tortoise

Thanks so much for all the support and suggestions guys! I am sorry to say my efforts to join the club in my area are currently at a standstill - I was due to have a session with the coach a couple of weeks ago before finalising membership but this has been repeatedly postponed and has yet to happen So I am looking at other clubs again to have some other options. Thanks for the suggestion of Rathmines Owen, I definitely plan on persevering with my plan to join a club (now that I've built myself up to do it and am having been practicing lots in preparation )
I'll deffo let you guys know how I get on!