The ever-popular Chittenden Rosebowl tournament attracted more members than ever this year, with 16 pairs including several new joiners, competing for the prized trophy, named after the Club’s founder, Henry Chittenden.

After the group stage of ‘first to win four games’, the knock out event gave us our worthy winners, with Joan and Peter beating Lizzie and Henrik in the final. The third place play off went to Rebecca and Ryan.

In the final of the Plate Event, Polly and Joe beat Wiebke and Fernando, and third place went to Keira and James.

Congratulations to everyone who played and made it such a fun, competitive afternoon!

The GTC Wimbledon Tournament had all the excitement of the SW19 championships, and the tennis was pretty competitive too! Congratulations to the 2024 champions – Ana and James in the main event, Mary and Joel in the plate, and finalists, Yan and Del, Ingrid and Patrick respectively in the two competitions.

No to be outdone, our very own future champions showed off their skills earlier in the week!

It’s our 3rd Memorial Celebration Day in aid of Cancer Research UK on Sunday, 19 May. We’ll be celebrating the lives of all the people we know who’ve been affected by cancer and raising money for this fantastic charity.  There’ll be family fun and competitive tennis, tombola and raffle, sports, plants, photography and book stalls – not forgetting adult and junior cake baking competitions. With prizes! Register with Debbie at [email protected].

Last year, our incredibly generous members and friends raised a wonderful £2500 for Cancer Research UK. If you’d like to give this year, please donate at:  https://www.justgiving.com/page/gunnersbury-triangle-sports-club-1712596188529

Thank you so much!

It wasn’t our warmest ever Open Day, but there was still plenty to smile about! Hours of social tennis, coaching for every age group, table tennis, Pilates and snooker and, of course, a delicious BBQ, and homemade salads, tarts and cakes brought by our talented members. Huge thanks to everyone who made it special and a big welcome to all our new members who joined.  Take a look at Robert’s brilliant video of a great  day – https://youtu.be/Px-OpOXZBQ8

Many congratulations to GTC’s  winning pairs of Bridget and Tina and Peter and Mikael who won through a competitive afternoon of ladies and men’s doubles to secure their places in the Way to Wimbledon area play off, run by the LTA.

The afternoon was full of very close deciding tiebreaks and it was great to see everyone enjoying themselves. Well done to the runner ups, Yan and Anne and Tom and Hal, who are placed on a reserve list for the next stage.

Come and enjoy free tennis and coaching – and lots more – this Sunday, 21 April, from 12 noon! Please wear trainers and bring a racquet if you have one – though we have spares.

Congratulations to the latest karate students at GTC who have recently passed their grades with great results! They are among over 100 karate students who have trained with Senseis Dave, Gem, Mick and Frank in the nearly 30 years since they transferred karate to GTC from the former London Underground Sports Association when it was disbanded.

“We’d all worked locally for London Underground for many years and enjoyed karate, so we decided to look for a new home. We were delighted when we linked up with Gunnersbury Triangle Club and have been training students at two classes a week ever since,” explains Sensei Frank.

Dozens of their students have achieved black belt qualifications and many more have trained to other levels.  There’ve been local business people, schoolchildren, teachers, nurses – even a British Gymnastics champion. Sensei Mick explains that there are several different forms of karate, and the GTC group focuses on Seiki Juku, which translates to True Spirit.  It is not just a style of karate it’s a philosophy which emphasises safety, discipline and the building of confidence.

“It’s very rewarding to see kids start karate with no experience and train hard over several years to get their grades. A lot of them move on as teenagers but karate gives them confidence and discipline to take forward in their lives,” says Sensei Gem.

Karate training at GTC is on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 4.00-6.30pm.  However, from 6.00 to 6.30pm is dedicated to extra training for those preparing for their next grades.  The main day for training is Tuesdays as Thursdays is for the higher grades.

“Adults and juniors can train together, and we recommend family lessons.  We offer training in self-defence and urban awareness especially aimed at women and young girls,” explains Sensei Dave.Come along for a free karate session on any Tuesday and find out more.  All ages and experience welcome.   Contact Sensei Mick on 0790 8561334  or  Sensei Gem on 0750 3921592.

On a blustery and showery day, our Winter Tournament Finalists played out some great matches, providing plenty of entertainment for those who came along to support.

In the Women’s Singles, Pip came out on top in a tight three-setter against Tina (6-2; 2-6; 6-3). Rhodri defeated Casey (7-5; 6-1 ) in the Graham Carter Singles, with both players contributing to some incredible rallies. Vijay was the victor in the Invitation Singles, eventually overcoming Laura’s resistance to win 6-2; 6-3. The Women’s Doubles was another epic, with Pip and Tamlyn  emerging victorious after a real battle with Tina and Bridget (6-7; 6-3; 6-2). The day was rounded off with a very high-quality Men’s Doubles, Rhodri and Alexander prevailing over Lee and Vatche with a score of 7-5; 6-1.

Congratulations to all the finalists and well done to all who competed through the cold, dark Winter months!