Lynne is the provider of all things active and fitness related in the Chew Valley. She refers to herself as being a ‘retired’ L2 Badminton Coach but as she falls back in love with badminton so regularly I wouldn’t rule out a return to coaching just yet
Lynne’s role in the development of the Junior Club and Senior Club has been pivotal. We wouldn’t have been able to achieve what we have as a club without her tireless hard work and creativity over a long period of time.
Shortly after the Junior Club was set up in 2010 and Gene was required to work in Cornwall, Lynne took her L2 Coaching Qualification to ensure the continuation and development of the Junior Club. After encouraging me to pop my head around the corner a few seasons later, whilst my daughters went to a gymnastics club on Tuesday evenings, the Junior Club grew to such an extent that an additional training day was required on Saturdays. After we sadly lost our then Chairman, Rob Newmarch, Lynne oversaw the club’s growth from around 10-20 members to around 150 members, the increase from 1 or 2 teams to 18 teams, as we are today. At the same time Lynne was instrumental in starting up the Ladies Social Club. The size of the overall task was enormous. Lynne completed all of the hard work required to make this happen for several seasons until she finally tired of my dodgy banter and needed a break so she could keep the rest of Chew Valley fit and healthy
Lynne has played for our top Mixed teams for many seasons and in our ladies teams since their recent inception, being involved in multiple promotions as our teams climbed through the leagues.
A big thank you from everyone to Lynne for everything she has done for the club, encouraging so many young people to play, compete and develop as players and coaches over the past decade.
Racket
Gene’s cast offs
Right/left-handed
Right handed
Coach
Retired (ish) L2 due to pressures of work
Number of seasons Coaching –
Same as Gene apart from last year! Around 10 years
Chew Valley teams played for
Mixed A, B, C, D and Ladies Team
Other clubs
I have played for Yate, Bristol and District, Parkside and Mangotsfield
Best achievement as a player
I played county third team – when they only had 3 teams and Gene was in the Seconds
Best achievement as a coach
Hard to quantify – nice to see the development of the players – I had to get a level 2 to keep the club going while Gene was working in Cornwall – it helped me as a player too – who knew you could change grips!! and climb over elephants for the lunge!
Which players you’ve particularly enjoyed coaching and why?
I particularly liked coaching the ladies at the Social Club
Comedy Moment on court
Each time I step on court is comedy in itself! Paul Gardner remarking on how much I talk on court!
Favourite player
Mark Cochram was a showman on court
Sporting Heroine
Jessica Ennis
Other sports
I enjoy tennis, and everything fitness related. Used to play county netball at school – that was fun
Non sporting
Singing with Vox in Frox
Football Team
It has to be Liverpool in this house
Band
Soul 2 Soul
Favourite Quote
‘If you have an issue in your tissue then motion is the lotion – rest is rust’
What have you enjoyed about coaching at Chew Valley
I enjoyed coaching alongside Will and then being able to take part in the sessions and learn more myself. Most of all I enjoyed watching the progression of the players and the fun/camaraderie of the session