The Ladies Real Tennis Association

Katie Leppard, Chairman of The Ladies Real Tennis Association

The standard of women in Real Tennis has much improved over the years and the LRTA has evolved with developments in their own sponsorship, technology, website, merchandise and branding. Bring on the next 40 years!

Not mentioning coronavirus or the pandemic in a review of the last year is a big ask! It has been a difficult year for each and every one of us, but I am pleased to report that we have so many positives to reflect on too.

Strength and resilience are known characteristics of Real Tennis players. If you look back in time at some of the major events throughout history that could have put a stop to Real Tennis as a sport - wars, plagues to name a few, our sport has survived them all. We are so passionate about the game and the people involved that we always want to protect and nurture it. And we need to inspire the next generation to do just the same; to teach them all the attributes and qualities necessary for the longevity of the game and demonstrate what a fun and unique sport it is.

The LRTA has been doing just that through our junior development programme. We have recently been running some rackets clinics at The Oratory School. Designed as a three-sport taster session, the juniors were introduced to Real Tennis, lawn tennis and squash/racketball widening the potential pool of people signing up. The clinics were aimed at girls but their siblings were welcome too if it helped to encourage more participation. Our current ladies world champion, Claire Fahey, who is Head of Racquets at The Oratory School was only too happy to help run these clinics with Steve Tomlinson and Levi Gale. We are extremely grateful for the team’s energy and enthusiasm. Claire is a real inspiration and her support for these initiatives is invaluable. We look forward to working with her on more junior development during the year and we would love to replicate these clinics at other clubs around the country in due course.

2021 is a significant year for the LRTA. On 31st October we will celebrate 40 years as an Association. This is a huge milestone that we will certainly be celebrating. Lesley Ronaldson, Viv Dawes, Alex Garside and Sheila Mackintosh were the first officers of our Association and set the scene for changing the mindset of many to allow women to compete alongside men on an equal footing. Our women have come so far since that time, but it is still very much work in progress. The standard of women has much improved over the years and the LRTA has evolved with developments in their own sponsorship, technology, website, merchandise and branding. Bring on the next 40 years!

Our committee has continued to work hard throughout the year carrying out important work in the background, representing various boards and sub committees and supporting our membership. I would like to thank all of my fellow committee members for their dedication and commitment, it is hugely appreciated. We have welcomed two new co-opted members, Hannah Lucey and Jess Garside this year and we were very sorry to see our Honorary Auditor, Neil Paterson, retire after no less than 30 years

keeping our accounts in good order. He will be missed for both his humour and wise counsel!

We are looking forward to getting our full fixtures list underway in the coming season, from our junior events through to the postponed 2021 Ladies World Championships in Fontainebleau in April 2022 showcasing the very best talent we have to offer. We look forward to reconnecting with clubs, pros and members in the UK and beyond.

Juniors enjoying one of the ‘racquets clinincs’ at The Oratory School. The clinics were aimed at girls but their siblings were welcome too, to encourage more participation.

Here are a number of ways you, the T&RA membership can support us:

• Become a LRTA member for as little as £10 per annum – women and men, young and old are all welcome • Encourage all women at your clubs to sign up for our matches and tournaments • Sponsor a match, event or tournament • Follow us on social media and help to raise awareness • Make a donation for womens’ Tennis either for something specific or for general

Tennis development

• Leave a legacy • Offer the most precious thing, your time - we always welcome volunteers, good initiatives, and feedback