Meet the Committee

I am a platinum member at Southdown sports club and have been a member for almost 10 years. I joined the Tennis Committee soon after joining and became Tennis Chair the following year. I was predominantly a badminton player playing for Sussex Vets and representing England at several tournaments, but in recent years have enjoyed playing more tennis.

I am passionate about the club and my ambition, as our mission statement suggests, is to ensure we provide a first-class tennis facility for all ages and skill levels, with a focus on offering a friendly environment for competitive and/or social tennis, where enjoyment of the game is enhanced through skilled coaching to encourage junior and adult development for all members in a safe, friendly and supportive club environment.

I joined Southdown as a gym member in 1999, and in spring 2001 was tempted into trying out tennis. I have long regarded the club as my second home. I was co-opted onto the committee in late 2022, in particular to help with growing the tennis membership.

I moved to Lewes in the second half of 2021 and quickly discovered the impressive Southdown Sports Club. Joining the club has been important to me, I’ve met some lovely people who have helped my wife and I integrate and settle into Lewes life and feel privileged to have found somewhere that really feels like home so quickly.
In my youth I played tennis at a reasonable club level but then fell out of love with the game for 30 something years. Of course, I now regret not picking up a racket sooner but like to think with the guidance of the coaches and the high standard of play at the club, some of my earlier skills will return. Whether the body allows me to fulfil that aspiration, that’s another thing.
I am pleased to volunteer my time to the tennis committee, if nothing else I will bring enthusiasm to the role hoping to enhance everyone’s experience at the club.
Feel free to come and say hi to me in the clubhouse bar, mine’s a pint….

I joined the club in 1976 when I moved to Lewes !
Playing Squash at first and then switching to tennis in the early 80’s. I have captained and played in the 1st, 2nd and 3rd teams over the years and now captain the 2nds and play for the county in the seniors. Twice I have been on the Club Council as social representative which was great fun. My two daughter have become very good tennis players thanks to the excellent coaching they have had at Southdown.

I am Sussex-born and moved to Lewes in 2009 with our young family after 15 years in London. I don’t think I’ll ever leave Lewes because it has the wonderful Southdown Club. For me, the combination of fun, friendship, and fitness in tennis there is incomparable. I started playing in my forties at Ryan’s Wednesday drop-in, have benefited from great coaching at Southdown and the many opportunities to practice and enjoy the game, and now play for the Ladies’ 3s and 4s. I joined the committee in 2024 to help with marketing and communications, and to support the hard-working Chairs and team in delivering the best experience for members. Always happy to hear your suggestions!

A multi-sport enthusiast and recent returner to tennis after major surgery and a move to England, the fantastic Southdown Sports Club became my lifeline.
So many wonderful people and fantastic Coaches patiently helped me recover and progress with enjoyment and laughter.
I am ever thankful to all, and felt I should give back by joining the Committee. Specifically, to help with new members and membership retention/growth.
I have a long background serving on sporting club committees and look forward to seeing Southdown continue to thrive.

I’ve been playing tennis on and off since I was a junior and have played at various clubs across Brighton and Sussex. After moving to Lewes I joined Southdown in 2022 following a summer open day where I fell in love with the grass courts! Since that time my wife and children have also taken up tennis and are now all active members at Southdown. I joined the committee to assist with digital marketing.

I only moved to Lewes five years ago and joined the club in 2022. Southdown has been for me a way of getting established in Lewes and because of the generous way people have accepted me, I feel that if I can give something back by serving on the committee then why not? I’ve played tennis since I was five (please don’t ask me to explain why I’m not better!) and throughout my life it has served as a conduit to meeting people and socialising. See you all at the club!