Message from the Chair, Sarah Wierszycki – 14th September 2020:
We are now starting the autumn with a new committee and I hope we will serve the Club well and as you would want. I would like to thank, formally, the outgoing Committee members for all their hard work over many years, for everything they have done to build the Club and support and develop its members as well as, this year, in dealing with all the Covid-19 related challenges. Mary Evans, in particular, has worked tirelessly for the Club for decades. We owe them a great debt of gratitude and acknowledge their commitment to Oxford Sports. Thank you.
The new Committee is much larger than it has been in recent years, with a great range of skills, and I hope we will be able to build on the strong foundations of all the good work done up to now. We are all volunteers and most are new to the Committee, so please bear with us as we settle in. Change is often challenging and unsettling in some ways but, happily, we have Ann Tuck and Neil Shirley who will help us bridge between the old and the new Committees, and who will hopefully keep us on the right track.
As I said on my Nomination Form and in the recent Zoom meeting, I want to help grow the club, attracting more players and members to it by building on the coaching programme with our excellent coaches, providing comprehensive match playing opportunities, improving communication including social media, and by holding fun social events. I also would like to improve processes and transparency and be thoroughly inclusive. I will be happy to listen to your thoughts and ideas and answer any questions that I can.
The new Committee has yet to meet but will be in touch after we have, with what we see as the priorities for the Club. In the meantime, we trust everyone will work together to ensure a smooth transition. I have already been so impressed by the numbers of people who have said they are willing to take on jobs or be involved in any way that helps, and not just from Committee members. That is brilliant and just the attitude and energy that will further build Oxford Sports and make it a great and fun place to play tennis.
I look forward to working with you.
With best wishes
Sarah Wierszycki