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Margaret French
Fri 26 Mar 2021 10:36
Margaret French, Volunteer of the Year
Now those of you who know her won’t be surprised to be told that Margaret French (the use of her second name of Helen hasn’t managed to conceal her tracks) would have an impact on Northumberland tennis when she moved up there four years ago, would you? Well, she has and the County LTA has shown its appreciation by making her the Northumberland County Volunteer of the Year for 2020, not just the Northumberland Club which nominated her, but the County. She was of course a recipient of our May Medal for services to the S&DLTA.
As you might imagine, her entrée into involvement with Geordie tennis was through juniors and her organising of the 9U, 10U and 12U teams, but followed by taking on the Ladies 65 and Mixed teams at the other end of the scale; Northumberland run veteran leagues for the 40+, 55+ and 65+ players. A wrist injury from last year has not, due to Covid, meant her missing her own tennis which includes being a member of the County Ladies 75+. She is ranked 1 in the county, 7 nationally in her age group
John Henderson, Head Coach at this seventeen court club, tells me he refers to her as his ‘secretary’ and that she can be found at random times tidying up the premises, sweeping leaves, cleaning trophies, helping with the tuck shop and whatever. A favourite story is that when playing in a ladies’ doubles she made a volley, the ball hitting an opponent who, expecting a profuse apology, was told she shouldn’t have been standing there!
That’s our Margaret! ………… and Sheffield’s loss is Newcastle’s gain.
John Andrews