Rescind the OSLTC job offer

Ben and Dave are the main reason I come to Oxford Sports

Ben taught my daughter Hebe who was a very good player and competed. He gave her confidence. I think sometimes inclusivity and a more approachable approach is best to make this happen. It depends on the aims of the coaching programme . She also got a lot out of the WH Leisure Centre more intensive programme for County players but not the same confidence. It is a mental game too. I think many people appreciate their friendliness.

Ben and Dave are to OSLTC what Ben and Jerry’s are to ice-cream : quality. You don’t ditch quality, you respect it and you learn from it.

I struggle to understand the reasoning behind appointing an external head coach rather than giving our excellent internal candidates a chance. Recent email correspondence to club members suggests to me that there is a slightly toxic atmosphere in the club with unhealthy tensions between different fractions. This is not good!

Such great coaches Dave and Ben. Was surprised at the new appointment.

Started my daughters tennis coaching here with Ben which she really enjoyed but sadly then needed to find somewhere a bit closer to home. Ben’s a fantastic coach and engages the kids so well with lasting results. Reading all the comments here I felt I also wanted to put my support forward.

Sent to the Committee I am writing regarding the path being currently taken at Oxford Sports. We have held membership of the club for many years. My children learnt their tennis first with Melanie and Ed and then with Ben and Dave. Between the five of us, we have a broad experience of high-level coaching in a wide range of sporting environments. We have all been deeply and consistently impressed by the high all-round and particularly technical standard of the coaches and particularly struck by the level of care and attention to welfare provided during this period of difficulties related to COVID. I have recently learned that the Committee has rejected coaching proposals from the Club’s established coaches and proposes to hire someone from outside the Club and from outside the area. The way in which this has been done appears to be particularly authoritarian and insensitive and, the decision itself looks flawed. The gist seems inescapable and incomprehensible. For some reason, there seems to be determination on the part of the Committee to drive away dedicated individuals who have contributed positively to the Club’s development over many years, in particular, by ridding the Club of its “historic” coaches. Amateur clubs are imperfect by nature and it takes years to build them up to be popular and successful. They serve and are part of the local community and over time they develop strong ties of trust and affinity with and between their ordinary members. The Committee members of an amateur club or association are temporary custodiansof their club, their volunteers and their members. They are elected to and continue in their positions by the will of the members, who judge them on their conduct of the Club’s affairs. Part of that conduct relates to their respect for those who have given their time unstintingly over the years. Oxford Sports is very lucky to have loyal and talented people on its own doorstep who make the Club tick. Unfortunately it do

I have just enrolled my son , Ben and his Collegue have been very welcoming and helpful with lots of advices and seemed to be very professional and caring. That is what I was looking for my son.

Do everything in your power to keep Ben and Dave. They are the tennis club!

Cardio tennis participant - appreciate the good coaching I have received.

I think Ben and Dave should be given a chance. I believe they have earned a chance.

My brother and I have been coached for several years by Ben and Dave and have allowed us to grow both technically into really good tennis players, and personally, due to the nature of the sport. I could not recommend them enough. It is bizarre how OSLTC would choose someone else over them. Ben and Dave are OSLTC!

Ben and Dave are outstanding and inspirational coaches. Hard to imagine the club without them. They are Oxford Sports!

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Both Ben and Dave have coached my 4 children in squads, camps and 1:1 lessons. They are highly skilled and committed tennis coaches who provide inspirational tuition from beginner to competitive club and county level. I simply cannot understand the committee decisions to put the head coach role out to tender and appoint an external candidate rather than support Ben and Dave. They have been the driving force behind the coaching at Oxford Sports for over a decade - come rain, shine or sub-zero temperatures! For a lot of families and youth players at the club, Ben and Dave ARE Oxford Sports and we don’t want this to be destroyed. My message to the committee: please reflect upon the strength of feeling from club members and reconsider your decision.

Have only just heard about this but this makes me really sad and just seems incredibly wrong as Dave and Ben have been the leading forces behind the club for a long period of time! It certainly would not feel like the club that I grew up at for 10 years without them, I can only thank them personally for any of my passion for tennis and continued involvement in the sport now. Big role models for me and I know countless others throughout the club. Oxford sports is very much what it is thanks to these guys- I know a large proportion of members would only see the club as a club with these 2 involved!

KEEP THE COACHES

Ben and Dave are extremely respected, experienced and professional coaches who are the energy and spirit of Oxford Sports. They have made immeasurable contributions to the life and reputation of the club, welcoming and encouraging players of all ages and levels and inspiring them through their obvious passion for the game. I am baffled as to why they would not be given the opportunity to take the club forward as Head Coaches. Please reconsider.

My son has been training with Ben and Dave for more than 9 years and enjoyed every minute of the experience. They are very friendly and fun as well as professional and skilled and we urge the club to reconsider their position.

Dave and Ben have provided outstanding tennis coaching to all three of our children over the last ten years, including through holiday camps, squad and additional 1-2-1 sessions. Throughout this time, they have both demonstrated tireless enthusiasm and technical excellence, nurturing and motivating the children through rain and shine. We feel very lucky as a family to have been able to benefit from this amazing local resource and would be devastated to lose them from the club.