Returning to Tennis

hardybuck

Hi folks,

Further to some time away from the game (10 years since playing regularly, 5 years since last sporadic activity) I'm planning my big comeback!

I'm the fairly common case, the guy who played to a pretty good standard until his mid teens, and returning to the game in his early 30s. I hope to return to play maybe at Class 5, hopefully moving towards Class 3.

I'm not from Dublin originally, so I'd greatly welcome any general advice I can get, but a couple of specific areas I've currently got questions:

1. What clubs should I consider?
- I live in Dublin 14 currently, but I'd have no problem driving to Dublin 6, Stillorgan, Blackrock etc. for the right option.
- My club at home has 9 savanna courts, good ladders, competitions etc., so I'd be hoping for something similar
- What sort of ballpark fees could you expect up this neck of the woods?

2. Where is a good place to get kitted up?
- My rackets were cutting age at the time, but that's a while ago now!
- Looking for racket, shoes, clothes etc.

Greatly appreciate any advice you may have folks.

Thanks.

Johnmb

hardybuck wrote: »

Hi folks,

Further to some time away from the game (10 years since playing regularly, 5 years since last sporadic activity) I'm planning my big comeback!

I'm the fairly common case, the guy who played to a pretty good standard until his mid teens, and returning to the game in his early 30s. I hope to return to play maybe at Class 5, hopefully moving towards Class 3.

I'm not from Dublin originally, so I'd greatly welcome any general advice I can get, but a couple of specific areas I've currently got questions:

1. What clubs should I consider?
- I live in Dublin 14 currently, but I'd have no problem driving to Dublin 6, Stillorgan, Blackrock etc. for the right option.
- My club at home has 9 savanna courts, good ladders, competitions etc., so I'd be hoping for something similar
- What sort of ballpark fees could you expect up this neck of the woods?

2. Where is a good place to get kitted up?
- My rackets were cutting age at the time, but that's a while ago now!
- Looking for racket, shoes, clothes etc.

Greatly appreciate any advice you may have folks.

Thanks.

Can't really recommend a club, there are loads of them in the area you mention, and I'm not sure how active they are for ladders etc. Your best bet would be to go down to a few and get a look round. Prices vary from about €300-500, with a few much more expensive ones.

For shops, I'd recommend Martyn Evans Sports in Fitzwilliam LTC on the Appian Way. There's also a pro shop in David Lloyd Riverview, but my experience is that Martyn Evans is both cheaper and more knowledgeable.

Best of luck!

MrKingsley

I recently returnded to play League tennis for the first time in 10 years aswel.

I also live in Dublin 14 and play in Glenalbyn beside the Stillorgan shopping centre. The senior set-up used to be excellent but they have really been struggling for numbers the last 5 or so years.

Its a friendly, family orientated club though

hardybuck

MrKingsley wrote: »

I recently returnded to play League tennis for the first time in 10 years aswel.

I also live in Dublin 14 and play in Glenalbyn beside the Stillorgan shopping centre. The senior set-up used to be excellent but they have really been struggling for numbers the last 5 or so years.

Its a friendly, family orientated club though

That's particularly useful. I'm not too far from Glenalbyn, and it's one I would have considered.

It's a fine balance between having enough members to ensure a bit of a buzz and sufficient depth in the different levels of standard, without being too busy to get court bookings etc.

MrKingsley

hardybuck wrote: »

That's particularly useful. I'm not too far from Glenalbyn, and it's one I would have considered.

It's a fine balance between having enough members to ensure a bit of a buzz and sufficient depth in the different levels of standard, without being too busy to get court bookings etc.

There's a group of 12-15 senior members that would've played class 2-3 in the past anyway.

The club has just got stuck in a rut for numbers though between younger players giving up the sport and older players stopping.

One thing you wouldnt have a problem with is court time. Only a couple of evenings a week the place would be full because of club tournaments

They are doing a deal where it's 100€ to join up until the end of the year though I think. I signed up for that in January

Ludikrus

Check on club web sites and Facebook pages for club nights, or social tennis mornings at weekends. Basically where members and non-members can just turn up and play (usually a few euro for non members). Games are organised by someone supervising. It's a great way to try out a club's facilities and a great source of new members for clubs. You'll meet people who play at the club and you can ask what kind of things competitions etc. are organised by the club.

ballyk

Mount Pleasant in Ranelagh is worth looking at since you mentioned you would be willing to travel to Dublin 6. I'm living in D14 myself and can be down there in no time. There's also the possibility of using the Luas to get there.

It's a great club, very friendly with a good mix of standards. They do social tennis on a Friday night which is a good way to get a feel for the club. If you check out the website you will see there is currently an offer going where you get a 2 month trial for €80. http://www.mountpleasantltc.ie

A full year's membership is €485 as shown at http://mountpleasantltc.ie/club-information/membership.html

I would recommend Martyn Evans as well if you are getting gear.

Any questions feel free to drop me a pm

Bonnie63

I live in Longford and I have to say the attitude to tennis there is kinda stuck in the dark ages! they view tennis the way it used be viewed in the UK in the 70's 80's. They see it as a status thing and the worst part of it is most of them literally have no clue about playing the game! I need to leave this place!

TennisLad

+1 on Mount Pleasant ... excellent club, I play there when I visit Ireland.