JAMES'S BLOG FROM SPAIN - WE DON'T KNOW HOW LUCKY WE ARE!

If anyone ever thought that Queenstown Tennis Club is expensive (and I'm not sure if anyone actually did), then I can categorically assure them that we are the luckiest tennis players in the world.

I have recently come back from 2 months in Spain. I took my racquet hoping to be able to join a local club and enjoy some social tennis, in the same way that we have many temporary members at QTC. But I should have remembered that nothing in Spain is easy. Having being knocked back by 2 clubs in San Sebastian and told that no club existed in Pamplona, I made my way to Valencia, where I already knew form the Internet that a fine looking club existed.

So on my first day in Valencia I happily made my way to the club expecting a warm welcome. No. I never even made it through the gate. I was informed by the security guard (yes, security guard!!!) that this was a private club and uninvited guests were not allowed. Not only that but they had a 5 year waiting list. He did however direct me to another club not far away.

At the second club they had a gatekeeper as well though he was a bit more friendly, especially when he found I was from NZ (as was his girlfriend). Even so, he informed me that I could not join as a temporary member as it was an exclusive club. I must have looked crushed because he then took pity on me and said he would give my number to a member that he thought might like to have a game with me.

Fortunately that member, Tony, did call me and we enjoyed quite a few games on the red clay. However, it cost me about $20 each time we played and that was only for an hour. Tony explained that in order to join this club he had had to buy a shareholding in the club which had cost him 30,000 Euros (NZ$52,000). That entitled him, his wife and kids to play, but on top of that he had to pay 750 Euros (NZ$1,300) management fees every quarter! And there were court fees too of about NZ$3 every time he played. The club had good facilities and is constructing a fantastic looking new clubhouse but there was no social side to speak or and no mixed or social sessions. You simply had to organise your own games with other members that you already knew. Most members seemed to play with the same people all the time.

It was great fun playing and if it hadn't been for Tony I wouldn't have played at all, but they certainly lack the social side of tennis that we enjoy so much, and it costs about 100 time more!

 

James Penwell, posted 23.9.11