The Oratory Tennis Club plays on the real tennis court of the Oratory School in Woodcote, South Oxfordshire. It was the first school in the United Kingdom to construct a court for 80 years, finishing the building in 1990.
The club is primarily made up of paying members of the public, but also of Oratorians (boys from the school). Over recent years the UK Professional Singles Tournament has been held at the court and in April 2006, the World Championships are scheduled to take place there. Jonathan Howell, the President of the International Real Tennis Professionals Association is the Sports Executive of the school and the club and Mark Eadle is the Senior Professional. Bryn Sayers has recently been appointed as Assistant Professional.
The court itself is modern, fast and possesses a 'bouncy' feel to it. The school has one of the most successful school real tennis teams ever, with regular appearances in the finals of national competitions, and in recent years has produced such players as Richard Greenland and Paul Knox.
Famous quotes containing the words oratory, tennis and/or club:
“Some of the greatest and most lasting effects of genuine oratory have gone forth from secluded lecture desks into the hearts of quiet groups of students.”
—Woodrow Wilson (1856–1924)
“Writing free verse is like playing tennis with the net down.”
—Robert Frost (1874–1963)
“The creation of “strong-minded” women, so-called, is due to the individualism of men, to the modern selfish and speculative spirit which absorbs everything within itself and leaves women nothing but self-assertion for their protection and support.”
—“Jennie June” Croly 1829–1901, U.S. founder of the woman’s club movement, journalist, author, editor. Demorest’s Illustrated Monthly and Mirror of Fashions, p. 44 (February 1870)