Earlier this month we held our AGM, which included Player Awards, recognition for our internal league winners, and more. 22 members gathered for our Big Night Out and AGM – with pizza and a committee pub quiz. 

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Changes to our committee

Departing committee members

This AGM saw the departure of two long-standing committee members, Oli Ing and Lianne de Mello, both founding members of the club. The meeting was an opportunity to thank both of them for their outstanding contributions to the success of the club over many years, with warm words shared by many. 

In recognition of their continued efforts, Lianne, Oli and fellow founding member Johnny Malynn will become Honorary Life Members of the club (granting them the rights of “Player Members” in perpetuity, to use the lingo of the constitution).

New faces joining the team

The elections for the club committee for 2024-25 saw two new additions:

• Kacper Bochen was elected as Secretary & Membership Officer
• Amy Claydon joins Hayley Cook in sharing the role of Comms & Socials Officer

The remaining members of the previous years’ committee were re-elected to their posts. The full committee lineup is available on our website.

Together we also ratified an updated club constitution, which simplified some wording and added clarity to different roles.

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Recognising player achievements

Player Awards

Congratulations to the winners of our Players Awards – players recognised for their efforts on and off the court. These were selected and voted on by the club committee:

• Darren Reynolds was our Unsung Hero, recognised as an enthusiastic and supportive club member and a highly committed team captain  
• The Spirit Award winner was Nicky Hughes, bringing a positive attitude each and every week
• Our first overseas member, Morgan Lowther, is our Spoon of the Year, retaining his club membership despite the long commute from New Zealand
• Chris Morton is our Most Improved Player of the Year

Nominations were also open for our Players’ Player of the year – recognising someone who made a positive contribution to our club community. We had two joint winners, with several others celebrated:

• Darren Reynolds and Matt Hill were voted as our Players’ Players of the Year, who both received the most nominations
• Honourable mentions go to Dan Wu, Johnny Malynn and Chris Morton who also all received nominations

Celebrating our internal league players

The AGM was also a chance to recognise those players who won their respective fields in our Summer League. Well done to the winning pairs: 

• Open Flight 1: Darren Reynolds and Diwakar Redhu 
• Open Flight 2: Peter Jones and Olivia Do
• Mixed: Xanthe Gould and Elliot Wheeler

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What’s coming up

The new committee is getting stuck in, picking up the reins and bringing a different perspective. Please bear with us during this transition period, and as things start gearing up for the new season. 

Book your place at our next social

We’ve already got our first social for the season in the diary:

SBC Social | Portsmouth’s new puzzle bar

Sat 2 Nov | 7.00pm 

7-9 Marketway, Portsmouth, PO1 4BX (top of Commercial Road)

Get ready to test your wits as you tackle mini escape-room style puzzles – while enjoying themed cocktails, mocktails or craft beers.

Brought to you by the team behind the award-winning Other World Escape Rooms next door, this new unique bar offers 15-minute escape room-style games for small groups of players.

Join our WhatsApp group chat

Anyone in our SBC WhatsApp community can join our new SBC Social Chat group chat – a place where anyone in our community can post invites to play, share ideas or news, or just casual chitchat.

As with all WhatsApp groups – including those for our Main and Improver sessions and team groups – your number may be visible to others.

We look forward to seeing you at our socials or on court soon.

SBC Committee