I've realised that I've been on here for the best part of a year and yet to introduce myself!
I'm 32, live on the Wirral and, as you already know, I'm that annoying git that works for Tennis For Free! I'm a lousy player (does that make me British number 14?) and have been a tennis fan for 15 or so years.
In addition to this I'm also an umpire If I can do it, anyone can!
Tennis For Free is a charity that aims to ensure that tennis courts in UK parks and open spaces are free of charge to use, rather than pay £10-£12 an hour as some places do charge.
In addition to this we also provide free coaching at a couple of these sites and are looking for funding to expand this and try to make arrangements with charging councils to make their courts free. Fundraising initiatives include TFF Dreamteam for the grand slam events (which I've plugged here since we launched it) and now through easyfundraising (see General Tennis Discussion board).
The umpiring is through the LTA.
But thank you for the welcome and liking my avatar! :o)
Just before I got made redundant a couple of years back, I saw an advert on the Wimbledon website saying if you're interested in becoming an umpire "click here" and it lead to the LTA Officiating section. I expressed my interest to them and it went from there. Start off doing a line umpires' course and then, after a while, you get invited to go on a second course to become a chair umpire.
Unfortunately, we have no current vacancies at TFF.
Will do, and it will also be on our website www.tennisforfree.com
I did the course at Queens. Was meant to have been at Roehampton this weekend for the chair umpires course but I had to drop out because of family illness.
I've umpired events ranging from regional juniors and veterans events up to Eastbourne. If it wasn't for illness in late spring and most of the summer I'd have been at SW19 this year.
I've umpired events ranging from regional juniors and veterans events up to Eastbourne. If it wasn't for illness in late spring and most of the summer I'd have been at SW19 this year.
Hopefully I'll get selected again next year.
You would be totally biased towards the British players I hope?
Oh I am sure if Murray had Championship point Federer hits a shot that you thought might have just clipped the line, but you weren't sure of, you would said OUT.
If I can do it, anyone can!
