About the club

Shooters Hill Lawn Tennis Club (SHLTC LTD) is a member’s club providing social and competitive tennis for all levels and abilities. The club has four floodlit macadam courts and two floodlit Tiger Turf courts available throughout the year. The club is a key asset to the local community and offers a friendly and professional service to members and non-members.

The club was formed in 1927 and was initially part of the Shooters Hill Golf Club before becoming independent in 1967 when it signed an agreement to lease the land. The club became a limited company in 2006. A community grant from the Lawn Tennis Association (LTA) funded the installation of floodlights on two courts, and 2010 saw the other courts having the floodlights updated.

2014 saw exciting new developments within the club. The club received an LTA financial grant and loan and with a new 25 year lease the club built 2 new floodlit courts which opened in summer 2014. This has enabled the club to expand membership and further develop its coaching programme.

2016 saw the building of a disability entrance giving wheelchair access to 4 courts but not the club house. The club engaged an architect to look at building a disability friendly club house. The plans were submitted and approved by the council in 2018. Unfortunately, the funding from the LTA has changed so the plans for the clubhouse are on hold as we seek further funding opportunity.

Early 2020 saw courts 1 and 2 converted to a new Tiger Turf surface which were ready for members to use in March 2020 just before the first COVID lockdown.

Due to COVID restrictions a lot of 2020 and early 2021 the club was extremely disrupted, but we still had many new and old members enjoying playing tennis and enjoyed.

In the summer of 2021, Phil Layfield our head coach for 14 years moved on. Tom Warburton is our head coach now and has developed the workforce and the club is thriving.

The Board has been successful with planning permission and LED lights for courts 1 and 2 are to be put in in Spring 2024. Hopefully the other courts will also be changed gradually.

The club continues to develop partnerships with local primary and secondary and schools along with the University of Greenwich.

Club aims

The club aims to provide a tennis and social centre for local people and their families regardless of age, ability, gender, religion and ethnicity. The club also provides opportunities for people to participate in competitive and social tennis, coaching and social events.

The aims are achieved by the club working in partnership with the LTA and the community to continually improve the club and its facilities.

The club directors work hard to improve and develop the club for the future. The club works closely with the LTA and ensures all its policies and coaching requirements are kept updated.

Any member wishing to become a director may be voted on to the board at the club AGM.

All ideas welcomed. The club is a keen supporter of building and maintaining strong links with the local community.

In spring 2007 the club joined forces with the Eaglesfield Park Neighbourhood Watch Scheme (EPNWS) to build bonds in the neighbourhood and the partnership continues.

The club supports the EPNWS by hosting the co-ordinators meetings and AGM as well as inviting them to the yearly Open Day

Competitions

The club participates in various LTA interclub competitions and each year many men’s, women’s, mixed doubles, Vets (daytime and weekends) and junior teams are entered at different levels. A club tournament for all categories (mixed, doubles, singles and vets) for adults and many junior competitions are held in the summer with a final’s day in July.

There is now a ladder league for all members and a WhatsApp hitting group for people to meet others to play tennis. Social sessions are Wednesday and Friday evenings and Sunday afternoons.

Our Head Coach works with Kent LTA to introduce levels of competitive play for all junior and adult members.

Club activities

The club offers many events and activities throughout the year which are advertised inside the clubhouse and on our website. Members can register to receive email alerts weekly when the website has been updated so they are aware of what is happening at the club as well are getting links to tournaments and social play.

SHLTC Ltd is run on a voluntary basis and all the directors are volunteers. The club welcomes the support of its members in helping to run the club. Working parties are arranged to complete various jobs around the club and we appreciate members sparing a few hours a year to help

If you have any questions about the club email the Club Secretary. For information about coaching, email the Head Coach or call 07815 927767.