Avenue Tennis Club in Burnham-On-Sea is celebrating this week after committee member Pippa Lawton was named Somerset LTA Match Official of the Year.
The award marks the second Somerset LTA honour received by the club this year and reflects the growing strength and reputation of the Avenue within the county.
Pippa joined the club after returning to the UK nearly three years ago, bringing with her a wealth of international sporting experience.
She spent 25 years living abroad across Asia, Switzerland and the United States, where she developed a deep passion for youth development through sport.
Much of her time overseas was dedicated to coaching netball at international schools and clubs, with her teams competing across Australia and Southeast Asia.
She became widely respected for her emphasis on teamwork, discipline and creating positive, nurturing environments for young athletes.
Her coaching philosophy has always centred on enjoyment, inclusion and personal growth. When she returned to the UK, she initially wondered whether she might be “a little old” to continue with netball, but soon found a new sporting focus in tennis—encouraged in part by her youngest son, who competes at county level for Somerset and recently won the Avenue Men’s Singles title for 2025.
Joining Avenue Tennis Club proved to be a turning point. With the support of Head Coach Tim Seymour, Pippa completed her basic coaching qualification along with court supervision and refereeing certifications.
Over the past two years, she has taken on a wide range of officiating duties at Somerset LTA competitions, steadily building her experience and confidence in competitive settings.
Alongside her refereeing work, she has played an important role in organising junior competitions at the club, including helping to deliver the successful August 2025 County Championships, hosted at Avenue Tennis Club.
Speaking after receiving her award, Pippa said she feels fortunate to be part of what she describes as “the friendliest club in Somerset”, recently recognised as the county’s best.
She praised the club’s thriving competitive scene, which supports seven men’s and four ladies’ teams across all divisions, and expressed her gratitude to Somerset LTA for their continued support. She is pictured with Avenue Tennis Club Ambassador Barry Ramsden.
Avenue Tennis Club continues to offer a wide range of opportunities for players of all ages and abilities. Membership runs annually from 1st April and includes free use of four floodlit astro‑turf and four floodlit hard courts, advance court booking, free floodlights, access to the clubhouse and bar, use of the ball machine, discounted coaching and a busy programme of social events.
Social tennis sessions take place throughout the week, and courts can also be booked via LTA ClubSpark for those wishing to try the club before joining. Competitive players can take part in the club’s men’s and ladies’ teams, which compete across Somerset, while an internal singles ladder provides regular match play for members.
Coaching at the Avenue is led by Head Coach Tim Seymour, who offers group and individual sessions for adults and juniors, along with popular cardio tennis classes and school holiday camps. Pickleball is also thriving at the club, with organised sessions on Wednesday evenings and Saturday afternoons led by Club Captain Sam Goodhew, with equipment provided for newcomers.
Junior members can enjoy free Friday night tennis sessions run by qualified LTA coaches Vinny Duddy and Megan Rundle, with age‑group sessions running from 5pm through to 8pm. The bar is open throughout the evening for hot and cold drinks, creating a lively and welcoming atmosphere for families.
The club’s well‑loved Wednesday Night Suppers continue on a fortnightly basis, offering a three‑course meal with cheese and biscuits for £13.50. The next supper on Wednesday 25th March features beef bourguignon pie or a vegetarian butternut squash, spinach and feta tart, followed by a selection of puddings. Bookings can be made at the clubhouse or by contacting Jose on 07919 116912 or sjhyde27@hotmail.com by midday on Sunday 22nd March.
The clubhouse and bar are also available for private hire, with enquiries handled by committee member Dianne Kilmartin on 07803 172301 or diannekilmartin@outlook.com.