## Annual General Meeting, Rhondda Lawn Tennis Club ## 28th February, 2025 ## Chairman's Address At long last, putting pen to paper or even computer typing is required to provide an update on the period since our last AGM. I am confident that the Club members are generally very pleased with the continuing progress that is being attained. Naturally, the emphasis is on the amount and quality of activity on court. In addition to the League matches and coaching progresses, thanks to the commitment of Michael Denton and Callum Searle, our Level 2 coaches. Unfortunately, we have lost the support of our Level 1 coach, Mansoor Faiz, who has had to move to another home, and Tennis Squad, who have moved on to pastures new. Fortunately, I am pleased to say that Tim James has attained his LTA Level 1 qualification and is fulfilling the role as coaching assistant. He has also taken on the responsibility for Mix-In Evenings, in addition to his role as Clubhouse Manager. Thank you, Tim. There has been a positive reaction to these sessions, where beginners have the opportunity to play with more experienced players. In addition to the coaching, Tennis for Free sessions are held by our Head Coach, Mike on Saturday mornings. These sessions have attracted a large number of participants of all ages. The atmosphere on court during the sessions is wonderful. Mike's interaction with all age groups makes sessions very enjoyable. For example, a visitor from England, Deb Louise, and her daughter took part in a session. She told me that it was her best time ever on court and that it had been great fun! Callum has undertaken responsibility for coaching during an Advanced Training Hour, details of which will be provided soon. In June 2023, a Tennis Squad Festival was held in which some 160 children from local schools took part. In April 2024, the coaching roles of Mike, Callum and Mansoor were recognised, with them receiving a certificate, thanking them for their awesome resilience despite the Rhondda weather! With regard to our local schools, the aim is to provide taster sessions at the schools during the coming months with a view to attracting more youngsters to the game. One cannot ignore the fact that our Club Captain, Paul Davies, received the Tennis Wales, Lifetime Achievement Award in August 2023. Well done Paul and countless thanks for all your efforts on and off court down the years. The Club has not only been served by the efforts on court. Work has continued in and outside the Clubhouse which has been completely transformed. In addition to the interior refurbishment, exterior work began in May 2023 to lay the decking and the lawn, with the decking having a ramp for access for the disabled. This has been a considerable addition to the Clubhouse. So many people enjoy sitting outside on the decking so that they can enjoy the splendid views, weather permitting! Regarding the Clubhouse, since the kitchen has been fitted to provide sustenance, helpers have had to attend Hygiene Training Courses. Well done to John Denton, Tim James, Lindsay Cook and Elaine Francis for passing their Level 2 Hygiene Certificates. In August 2023, Rhondda LTC was awarded a Level 5 Food Hygiene Rating. In addition to members, the general public have made use of the Clubhouse which provides meals on Saturdays and Sundays. The local ramblers have visited, and they praised the Club re. the service and the quality of the food and drink provided. Thanks to Claire Samuel and Elaine Francis for their work in the kitchen, to Bailey John and Tom Lusty, and to all who have helped from time to time, namely Ann Einon, Florence Hau, Lyndsey Cook, Anny Chong and Merril Davies. Thanks also to the time and effort that Wayne Francis has put in, enhancing the decking with solar lighting, providing kitchen and hall repairs, upgrades and improvements, and keeping the roof from leaking! Of course, to cap it all, it is none other than Mr. John Denton who stocks up with food and drink, travelling to Bookers in Nantgarw and Cardiff to purchase goods. John spends hours at the Club ensuring that everything is spotlessly clean. This is to ensure that the Club keeps its Level 5 Rating! Despite his efforts. John would not be able to maintain the clubhouse without the help of Tim James, our Clubhouse manager. Who is always on hand to open up the clubhouse in the mornings and when John is in work, and to remind John of what he should have done and forgot to do! Forgive me if I've forgotten someone! The Clubhouse has been a huge asset to the local community. Pen y Cymoedd Wind Farm and RCTCBC have held Board Meetings here and will be using the clubhouse in the future. On the 28th of June 2024, Rhondda Arts Festival (RAFT) was held in the Ystradfechan Park with some 24 outdoor events followed by the Main Festival on 29th June. The Club facilities were used by Treorchy Primary School on 18th July for their Sports Day. Also Pop Up in the Park on July 24[th] , organised by the North Rhondda Fawr Neighbourhood Network and RCT Together, promoted all of the services available to residents of the Rhondda. The Clubhouse has also been used for a Halloween Party, Father Christmas and the Grinch and for a number of children's and adult Birthday Parties. NeuroBusiness has also used the clubhouse for weekly interviews and assistance for start-up companies. This underlines the clubhouse as an important asset to the local community! However, regardless of the time and effort contributed by those who have worked or helped in the Kitchen/Clubhouse, the cornerstone to everything has been John Denton, Treasurer and Membership Secretary. Evidently, as a founder member of the Club, it means so much to him. He continues to put in countless hours of effort to obtain grants for work in and around the Club. As a result of his labours, he has raised well in excess of £200,000 in recent years which has paid for many improvements to the building, its interior and exterior. Solar Panels and energy storage batteries have been fitted with the help of grants from Sport Wales, through Tennis Wales, and The Coalfields Trust. We are now looking towards the extension of the Clubhouse for a bar and storage facility. A changing room with shower and toilet is also to be provided soon. John would not be able to maintain the Clubhouse without the help of Tim James, our Clubhouse Manager, who is always on hand to open up the Clubhouse in the mornings and when John is in work, and to remind him of what he should have done and forgotten to do! As well as John, thanks to all members of the Committee for their interest and labours on behalf of the Club The Official Opening of the Clubhouse took place on the 18th of May 2024. This was carried out by Baroness Amanda Sater, the President and Patroness of Tennis Wales. There were over 100 people present, including Past Members and dignitaries including Jamie Clewer, the Head of Participation at Tennis Wales. On October 17th, 2023, John Denton visited No. 10, Downing Street with the Tennis Wales Delegation, where they had the opportunity to state the need for investment in indoor courts and tennis court refurbishment in Wales, especially in the Rhondda. I must confess that my dream is that in the coming years, Rhondda Lawn Tennis Club will have its own indoor tennis courts, adjacent to the Clubhouse. RCT Council and the National Coal Board have agreed that it may be done, as it is in keeping with the Sports Covenant condition on the land. One can but hope that sufficient funding can be obtained. This would be a huge asset to the Club and the local community, especially considering the rainfall in Upper Rhondda. I trust I'm not living a dream! One matter I need to underline is John's request for members to enroll on "Easy fundraising.org.uk" which supports good causes when we purchase on-line. This would provide some income for the Club, especially since so many people purchase items on-line nowadays. I have tried to be as inclusive as possible. My apologies if I've omitted something that matters. So much has gone on since our last meeting. I can but hope that Rhondda Lawn Tennis Club continues to be a busy, successful, resourceful hub of the local community, and that there will be increased activity on court. Thank you to all who have contributed in whatever way. Long may it continue. ## **RHONDDA LAWN TENNIS CLUB** ## **INCOME & EXPENDITURE A/C FOR YEAR ENDING 31 MARCH 2025** |||| |---|---|---| ||**CATEGORY**|**INCOME**| ||**Membership Fees**|**£7,911.01**| ||**Grants and Donations**|**£19,223.69**| ||**Pay & Play (Court Bookings Stripe) (LTA Rally)**|**£767.40**| ||**Café Income**|**£4,250.81**| ||**Coaching Income**|**£164.34**| ||**Events**|**£169.14**| ||**Utility Bills(Water Compensation Rebate)**|**£500.00**| |||**£32,986.39**| |||**EXPENDITURE**| ||**Café Expenditure**|**£7,638.18**| ||**Clubhouse Maintenance & Upgrades**|**£3,532.86**| ||**On-Cost Maintenance and Insurance for Smart Gate**|**£801.20**| ||**Stripe Charges(LTA Rally Court Bookings)**|**£3.20**| ||**Membership Fee Refunds**|**£0.00**| ||**LTA Affiliation Registration and League Team Fees (Tennis Wales)**|**£945.00**| ||**Coaching Courses and Related Costs (Tennis Squad)**|**£1,192.40**| ||**Tennis Equipment**|**£1,535.89**| ||**Admin and Insurance(Clubhouse Building/Contents & Courts Cover), MS365 and Accounts**|**£970.98**| ||**Utilities (Water/Electricity/Mobile/Broadband)**|**£1,716.30**| ||**Grants & Donations**|**£180.00**| ||**Events**|**£1,004.47**| ||**Clubhouse Renovation(Solarpanels)**|**£27,997.71**| ||**Court Maintenance Costs**|**£519.22**| |||**£48,037.41**| ||**SURPLUS:**|**£-15,051.02**| ||**Opening Bank Balance as of 1 April 2023**|**£27,323.28**| ||**Closing Bank Balance as of 30 March 2024**|**£12,272.26**| ||**A net inflow of:**|**£-15,051.02**| ## **RHONDDA LAWN TENNIS CLUB** # **INCOME & EXPENDITURE A/C FOR YEAR ENDING 31 MARCH 2025** ***Notes to the 2024-2025 figures:** There was a £11,897.60 grant from RCTCBC There was a £1000.00 grant from RCTCBC There was a £4,138.59 grant from Coalfields Trust There was a £300.00 grant from RCTCBC ## **TOTAL GRANT INCOME: £17,336.19** There was a £1000.00 donation from USL There was a £24.00 donation from Easy Fundraising ## **TOTAL DONATIONS INCOME: £1024.00** CHARITY (OMMISSION FOR ENGLANO AND WALES Independent examiner's report on the accounts Section A Independent Examiner's Report Report to the trustees Rhondda Lawn Tennis Club On accounts for the year ended 31¥1 March 2025 Charity no lil any) 1185547 Set out on pages I report to the trustees on my examination of the attxounts of the above charity ('the Trust") for the year ended Responsibilities and basis of report As the chanty's trustees. you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in acc￿dan￿ wrth the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 ('the Act"). I report in respect of my examination of the Trusvs accounts carned out under section 145 ofthe 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination, I have followed all the apFAicable Directions given by the Charity Commission Ltnder section 145(5)(b) of the Act. Independent examiner's ststement I have completed my examination. I confim that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination which gives me cause to believe that in. any material respect.. the accounting records were not kept in accordan￿ wrth section 130 of the Charities Act; or the accounts did not accord with the accounting records,. or the accounts did not comply with the applicable requirements conceming the fomi and content of accounts set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 other than any requirement that the accounts give a 'true and fair, VEW which is not a matter cOns￿ered as part of an independenl examination. I have no concems and have come across no other matters in ¢onnection wilh the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounls to be reached. Slgned: Date: 3110312026 Name: Kirsty-Ann Standbridge LLB MS Relevant professional qualification{sl or body (if anyl: Address: 43 Troedyrhiw Terrace, Treorchy. Rhondda Cynon Taff CF42 6PG IER Oct 2018 Section B Disclosure Only complete if the examiner needs to highlight material matters of concern (see CC32, Independent examination of charrty accounts.. directions and guidance for examiners). Give here brlef details of any items that the examiner wishes to disclose. IER Oct 2018