Meet the Committee

I have been a Platinum member of Southdown Sports Club, playing tennis, for over 5 years. I joined the Tennis Committee soon after joining and became Tennis Chair the following year. I was predominantly a badminton player playing for the Surrey Vets, 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’ve been a member of the Club for about 35 years – most of my life! After some time away living in London and then abroad I’m now enjoying the Club and its fantastic facilities with my own children. I have seen how important the Club and playing Tennis is and has been to so many people over the years and I joined the committee to try and help with the enormous task of ensuring that the Tennis section continues to run smoothly and provides a fun and welcoming place for everyone to play Tennis.

Julian Parkin joined Southdown as a gym member in 1999, and in spring 2001 was tempted into trying out tennis. He has long regarded the club as his second home. He 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 have played tennis for many, many years at various clubs around the country. I joined Southdown 20 years ago when my wife and I moved back to Sussex. I have enjoyed social and competitive tennis here over the years, playing 2-3 times a week. Tennis is an important part of my life and, I’m sure, this is true for many others, for social, fitness and/or competitive reasons. So, by serving on the Committee, I wish to put something back into the sport that I love.