It’s been one of those years for marlborough Tennis. Last year – 2025 – was a momentous year with awards for Club of the Year (Wiltshire and LTA) and Lifetime Achievement Awards (Wiltshire and LTA) for Hilda Moore. And already 2026 has started with similar levels of success and recognition. National Lifetime Award winner Hilda Moore was awarded a British Empire Medal – BEM – in the New Years Honours list, the club can now add two more Wiltshire Tennis trophies to its already over-stocked cabinet.
Roger Wheeler co-Treasurer of Marlborough Tennis has been recognized with an “Outstanding Contribution to Tennis” award by Wiltshire Tennis.
Roger’s tennis career started at the age of 10, playing with his father. He has kept the community spirit and enjoyment of tennis ever since – ‘it’s the fun friendly sporting atmosphere’ he revels in. He joined Marlborough in 1992 and was Treasurer (1995-1991), was Acting Chair, Treasurer, and Website Admin until March 2021 when he reverted to co-Treasurer.
As Treasurer his tenacity was essential in making the transformational move to a new site for the club, working with the Town Council to achieve this in 2018, and he was instrumental in securing the land located within the golf club. Roger managed endless financial challenges during the build – a hillside development in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty is no mean feat! Roger was always there – he pushed for expansion to six courts from the original planned four which helped create the foundations for the thriving membership of three hundred and twenty-five today.
Roger put in place better financial governance, including creating a new constitution, transitioned the club from a CASC (Community Amateur Sports Club)to a CIO (Charitable Incorporated Organisation), was instrumental in the financial planning needed to allow the club to invest £265k in its new clubhouse, has worked with membership teams on new ways of joining the club, has helped develop new revenue generating streams and much more. When he is not at the helm steering the club through financial waters, he is to be seen on court supporting beginners and improvers on a Monday evening.
Calm, dedicated, determined and generous with his time, Roger’s award is worthy recognition for the role he has played in taking Marlborough Tennis to where it is today. “Every club needs a Roger” said club chair Andrew Payne. “He has played a massive role in progressing this club to being in the sound financial position we are today.”
Jemma Eke is Wiltshire Tennis’ Young Person of the Year, awarded to a young individual who has made a positive impact through leading or supporting activity in tennis.
Jemma (aged 16) started at Marlborough Tennis when she was just three years old. She was just 11 when the club moved from the Marlborough College Courts where the club had 56 members to the new courts, where membership sits at 325. Jemma has progressed from simply playing to be a coaching assistant and is a very regular supporter and player at the club – at junior’s camps, coaching classes, and she made a star appearance in the club’s video submission for our Club of the Year nomination.
Head Coach Neil Watts commented on Jemma’s important contribution to the club. “She helps on pretty much every single camp through the year as well as twice a week with other children’s classes – Wednesdays and Saturdays. She still plays twice a week herself on a Tuesday evening and a Thursday evening. Jemma is a great female role model for the young girls and is key to making sure the girls enjoy themselves.”
Volunteering is in Jemma’s ethos with fundraising this year for a trip to the Gambia to volunteer to build accommodation for nurses during their long shifts. Jemma just loves the community she is part of and her determination to have fun with everyone just shines through.
Jemma is a fabulous role model for young children, for girls in tennis, and for the wider community.
Many congratulations to Roger, Jemma and Marlborough Tennis for yet more success! Roger and Jemma will collect their awards in a ceremony to be held in March.
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