Heswall Rackets Club
Gayton Playing Fields, 12A Brimstage Road • Heswall, Wirral • CH60 1XG
Tel: 0151 342 2817
Heswall Squash Rackets Club
Presidents Report 2025 AGM
To Be Held on 25.2.2026
The year 2025 has marked a significant chapter in the history of HRC. Following the mandate from the 2023 AGM, the committee was tasked with introducing Padel Tennis to Heswall. There were numerous challenges throughout the process; however, with the committee's collective support for Roger Hughes and a steadfast commitment to success, these obstacles were effectively addressed.
I am deeply appreciative of the committee’s dedication in bringing Padel to fruition.
The open day on 31st January, which launched Padel, was an outstanding accomplishment despite inclement weather. The event attracted many newcomers who experienced Padel for the first time. The concerted efforts of The Bar, The Juniors, as well as those responsible for food and entertainment, fostered an exceptional community spirit, undoubtedly encouraging many visitors to consider membership or make further enquiries.
I would like to take this opportunity to express my gratitude—without specific order—to all committee members and volunteers who dedicated their time and contributed both to the Padel project and to the club as a whole.
Julie Griffiths
Leah Barker
Brian Carter
John Dunne
Paul Smith
Chris Sheppard
Jeremy Heywood
John Williams
Ben McSkelly
Roger Hughes
Ged Clarke
Keith Armour
Shaun Holgate
Thank you as well to the Trustees, many of whom participated in several committee meetings during the early stages and showed confidence by supporting the committee’s efforts.
We are also very grateful to our members for their ongoing patience and encouragement over the past two years.
Because of this collective support, the club continues to thrive: every area is improving, from the Junior Section to events, as well as both Padel and bar functions. Sections Jules has continued to lead the ladies’ teams with increasing ambition and expectations, and we anticipate welcoming additional members in the near future.
It is expected that more new female members will participate in padel, with Julie actively encouraging them to explore squash as well. With Paul assuming the role of squash captain, supported by Keith, we have consistently fielded five teams in the league, with the potential for further strengthening through the addition of new members. Both Paul and Keith have managed a challenging year with commendable composure. Chris has elevated racket ball within the club significantly. Should this progress continue, there is every reason to believe that Heswall Rackets Club could become a regional centre of excellence for racket ball. Chris’s dedication to organising and developing racket ball activities has been truly exceptional, and we greatly appreciate his contributions.
The junior section continues to thrive, now boasting over 25 regular attendees and a waiting list of aspiring young players. Sincere thanks are due to John, Mike,Rob and Dave for their outstanding work in nurturing this vital part of the club.
Leah and the bar staff have exceeded expectations this year, providing support not only on team nights and at various functions, but also by frequently opening the bar outside regular hours to promote the club. Their commitment was particularly evident during our successful open day. Leah’s enthusiasm and drive—both for increasing event numbers in 2026 and for her broader input on the committee—are greatly valued.
Going Forward Membership has nearly doubled in recent months, presenting an opportunity to sustain this momentum. Over the past year, the current committee has developed valuable initiatives designed to further advance the club’s evolving structure, which can be implemented as revenue grows.
The club’s immediate objective is to build upon the achievements reached in 2025. There is significant interest in the club, evidenced by over 40,000 Facebook interactions. We are confident that a strong foundation exists for continued growth and prosperity.
Padel at Heswall Rackets Club owes its inception to Ged Clarke, who originated the concept, and Roger Hughes, whose leadership with the committee helped bring it to fruition.
We also wish to acknowledge John Dunne, whose diligence and commitment in the role of Club Secretary have been invaluable. His daily presence at the club, whether fulfilling secretarial responsibilities, maintaining padel courts, or organising junior programmes, exemplifies exceptional dedication. While there have been notable individual contributions, these accomplishments could not have transpired without the outstanding collective effort of all involved.
Here’s to the next 50 years of Heswall Rackets Club.
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