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Leagues

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Leagues

Competitive tennis is an important part of our programme

Over the years we have been very successful. The club enters teams in the Belfast & District Mixed League, Singles League and Winter League, as well as the Evergreens League.

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INTERNAL CLUB LEAGUES

These are for members who enjoy the social aspect of the game as well as the tennis. They are open to all Senior members, and every level of play is catered for. Organised social play happens throughout the year - just check the noticeboard or your email newsletter for regular information.

LETTY’S LEAGUE

MONDAY - (ONE HOUR PER WEEK BETWEEN 6-10PM) DURING OCT-NOV & JAN-FEB.

Mixed doubles for all levels, usually involving around 50 players in mixed teams of six, including many new members. The league ends with dinner and an awards ceremony on the 8th week. £25 per term covers post-match refreshments, new balls, floodlighting, prizes and the fabulous end-of-league dinner.

STEWART CUP

EIGHT WEEK TOURNAMENT FROM OCTOBER TO NOVEMBER.

Eight week tournament from October to November. Each player plays a total of five matches with different partners (ladies, gents and mixed doubles). Each game counts as a point for the winning pair. The leading eight individual men and ladies, from a pool of around 36 players, qualify for finals night - a knockout mixed doubles competition.

FORMULA 1

RUNS DURING MARCH AND APRIL

This team event is open to all senior players, with around 10 mixed teams of 6 people. The top two teams per group qualify for finals night, which is a knockout competition.

External Leagues

Members are welcome to nominate themselves for selection for external leagues played against other clubs.

External club leagues

We encourage as many players as possible and practical to represent our club. Opportunities are open to you at different levels of play, and the club selection committee will keep all members informed about upcoming team selection. Only members who have paid their annual fees are eligible for selection.

Many of Downshire’s players have competed at Ulster and Irish representative level from Juniors to Veterans. As a club we were particularly proud to see Peter Bothwell fulfilling a long held ambition in March 2016 of becoming the first Ulsterman to play a Davis Cup Singles match for Ireland in 42 years. Peter was subsequently joined for Davis Cup duty with his brother Sam and both boys have enjoyed playing on the ATP Tour until recently taking up coaching positions at Downshire Tennis Club.

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JUVENILES

Nursery and primary school members aged 3-11 years old

Juveniles

FREE ORGANISED SESSIONS

  • 10 weeks of free coaching from April to June on Saturday mornings.
  • Summer scheme – three weeks in the summer holidays when Juvenile members can enjoy free, supervised play on Fridays.

COACHING

  • Weekly coaching classes, including potential selection for performance squads.
  • Easter and summer coaching camps.
  • Private lessons, by arrangement with coaches.

COMPETITIVE PLAY

Jamborees are held on the third Saturday in each month from 12-3pm. These are fun, team tournaments with short matches, and an introduction to competitive tennis, allowing Juveniles to keep their own scores and make line calls in match situations.


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JUNIORS

Members aged 11-17 years old

FREE ORGANISED SESSIONS

  • Summer scheme – three weeks in the summer holidays when Junior members can enjoy free, supervised play for three hours per day from Monday to Thursday.
  • 10 weeks of free coaching from April to June on Saturday mornings.
  • The club also encourages Juniors to get involved in helping coach the Juveniles – a good experience for both parties, and a chance to give back to the club.
  • Club night on Saturdays from 6-8pm, with organised games, table tennis and tuck shop.

COMPETITIVE PLAY

  • Junior league teams play in various age categories and divisions. We ask parents to support with transport and refreshments.
  • Junior Captain’s Day in June, with closely contested age category prizes, as well as the famous one-point tournament, where victory can be unpredictable!
  • Junior Club Championships at the end of August, with singles, doubles and mixed doubles over a number of days, from which age category victors emerge on Finals Day.

COACHING

  • Weekly coaching classes, including potential selection for performance squads.
  • Easter and summer coaching camps.
  • Private lessons, by arrangement with coaches.

SPECIAL TRIPS & EVENTS

  • Recently included a day trip to the Davis Cup tie in Dublin, and a residential trip to Ballycastle

Join the club

Love playing tennis? Become a member!

At Downshire we are passionate about tennis and have an ethos of being friendly, welcoming new members and serving the community. Our membership age ranges from 3 to 83 and all with varying abilities. You can be sure there’s something for everyone.

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