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Winchester Fitness and Sports Club for sociable and competitive sports and activities.
Winchester Fitness and Sports Club for sociable and competitive sports and activities.
WFSC AGM ON TUESDAY 4th NOVEMBER
All members are invited to attend the AGM at 10am in the main sports hall [for no more than 1 hour] after which all sports hall activities will proceed as normal.
WFSC ANNUAL DINNER ON FRIDAY 7th NOVEMBER
The Royal Winchester Golf Club has now been given the final numbers of paid up members and the list is therefore now closed for this function and all members attending are reminded that the dress code is a very relaxed smart casual.
WFSC CHRISTMAS PARTY ON TUESDAY 16th DECEMBER
All club members are cordially invited to the annual Christmas party to be held in STUDIO ONE from 13:00 to 14:30 when seasonal food and drink will be available for everyone to enjoy free of charge.
This party will be the only one subsidised by the club this year so whatever your club activity, please come along to join with other club members for a seasonal celebration.
Please also remember to pay suitably for your parking during the party.
PICKLEBALL
In recent months there has been little interest shown for this activity in the sports hall, however with the influx of new members this year, this activity will remain available for the immediate future so please come along and contact Mike Morris if you are interested.
EXTRA MEMBERS WELCOME
WFSC activities for outdoor tennis and indoor/outdoor bowls at River Park would welcome some extra new members so please contact the club email address if you are interested.
SHORT TENNIS COACHING
As in previous years, coaching for beginners and improvers is being considered to run on suitable dates in January/February 2026 subject to interest from new and existing members. Please contact the club email address if you are interested.
GENTLE REMINDER FOR ALL WFSC MEMBERS
All club members are reminded to show due respect to their fellow members when participating in all club activities and to avoid any inconsiderate behaviour that may spoil the friendly atmosphere that is reasonably expected at all times. Any reported inconsiderate behaviour is likely to give rise to a suitable caution from the committee and repeated unacceptable behaviour risks cancellation of club membership.
NEW WALKING FOOTBALL SESSION
EA are running WALKING FOOTBALL sessions.
Every Thursday 1pm – 2pm at a reduced rate of £4.50 – our lovely instructor Aaron would love to get a few more people involved.
There’s no pressure to be a pro at football it’s just as much about the social side as being active! Male and female players are welcome. Sessions currently consists of some fun drills but would love to introduce a short walking football match at the end of the session with enough attendees!
on Tuesday 4th November 2025 at 10am
Main Sports Hall at Winchester Sports and Leisure Park, Bar End, Winchester
General welcome to all from Mike Thomas (Chair)
1. Attendance and apologies
60+ attendees
Apologies from:
· Ronnie Bull
· Penny Holder
· Susan Thwaites
· Jayne Deacon
· Susan Reeves
· Carol Peck
· Bob Armstrong
· Nicky Morris
· Lynda Cantello
2. Approval of 2024 AGM minutes
Approved unanimously.
3.The Chair’s report
· Welcome to all existing and new members.
· Approximately 580 members renewed.
· Approximately 68 did not renew.
· Up to 60 new members were invited from the waiting list.
· The maximum amount of members remains fixed at 645.
· As of today the waiting list stands at approximately 93 and will close when it reaches 100.
· A big thank you to the Membership Secretary (Hilary Walton) and all who helped with the renewal process during August / September.
· A big thank you to our Club Secretary (Karen Hart) who has efficiently managed all email correspondence, monthly newsletters, committee meeting minutes and everything else.
· A big thank you also to our Everyone Active liaison team (Tony Cantello / Mike Morris). During this year there have been many frequent problems with the sports hall:
o Cleaning;
o Court layouts;
o Booking system, etc.
Which have required frequent coordination with EA to chase solutions. The building problems continue with window blinds, acoustic curtain repairs, etc. which are the responsibility of Winchester City Council and are shared EA / WFSC frustration.
· Thank you also to the Club Treasurer (Penny Holder), assisted by Tony Cantello (accounts for the year later in this AGM).
Club Activities
· During this last year most club activities have happily flourished although some classes have been undersubscribed and with EA agreement these have been opened to the public in order to maintain their viability. These include: Tuesday Aqua (11.45am); Thursday Tai Chi (12.40pm); and Thursday Keep Fit (9.05am). This shared WFSC / EA arrangement is for a trial period and will be reviewed in February 2026.
· Outdoor tennis and bowls at Riverpark would also welcome some extra members. We will be interested to see which activities new members wish to pursue.
· Winchester over 50’s sports demand has increased in recent years more than WFSC can accommodate. EA would prefer that WFSC increased our membership numbers to meet this demand and has offered to take over the overall running of the WFSC operation to meet this demand. WFSC has rejected this offer and prefers to remain independent. WFSC is now completing a new Service Level Agreement with EA to confirm in writing the levels of service we expect from EA and in turn to agree how best we coordinate to resolve all members requirements. This agreement will be signed in November and will be posted on the WFSC website.
· Both WFSC and EA hope to look forward to another successful year of all of our activities.
4. The Treasurer’s report
· There is a healthy surplus. The accounts show a deficit last year of £1,200. This was due to no membership income. Insurance costs have increased with the increased number of members. The surplus was £7,000 and the bank account now has nearly £10,000 in it.
· The intention is to invest in restocking consumables, such as tennis balls, shuttlecocks, etc. and possibly new table tennis tables.
· Thanks should be given to Tricia Meads for her assistance with the auditing of the accounts.
· All sections are encouraged to attend the social events and the Christmas party this year in the sports centre is open to all members.
5. Award presentations
· The “Toogood Trophy” to be awarded to Tony Cantello and Mike Morris for their EA coordination services with a cash award of £50 each.
· The “Bob Lack Trophy” to be awarded to Anne Parry with a cash award of £50.
6. Election of officers
New Chair
· After four years Mike is stepping down. However, we have not received any offers or volunteers for the position of Chair so far. On a temporary basis Mike is offering to stand until April 2026 and from January 2026 we will pursue a replacement.
· Tony Cantello, Karen Hart, Penny Holder and Hilary Walton have kindly agreed to continue for 2025 / 2026.
· Committee members: Mike Morris, Ronnie Bull, Sandra Waterman, Meeta Pandy and Trish Turnbull are also kindly agreeing to continue.
· Adrian Reeves is retiring from the committee and we are all very grateful for his immense input over many years.
· Rob James has kindly volunteered to take Adrian’s place on the committee.
· The vote was unanimously agreed for all the above posts and a unanimous vote was agreed for the whole committee.
· Chair / committee job descriptions to be issued in January 2026 to pursue a volunteer for the Chair post.
7. Proposals for discussion
· Associate members (off site)
The proposal to amend the club constitution to create associate members was voted for by the meeting.
· EA suggestion to increase membership
The committee recommend that the proposal does not go ahead and this was voted for by the meeting with one member voting to increase the membership.
8. Any questions
· It was asked from the floor “what is to stop EA running more classes?”
The Chair replied: “EA are planning to run over 50s activities in the afternoons. Once the plan is formulated members will be informed. The fees will be different to WFSC fees”.
· From the floor it was stated “the member was very pleased to join the club but lots of friends were unable to attend and inquired if more places were going to be made available?”
The Chair replied: “Opportunities were very reduced and the waiting list was kept at 100 so people only should need to wait a maximum of two years. The committee is to review inactive members. However, there is no mechanism to identify inactive members. The club does receive data from EA regarding numbers attending the numerous activities”.
· A member asked about pickleball.
The Chair advised: “We have all the equipment required and pickleball sessions take place during the racket sessions in the main hall. Pickleball will be on offer between 12pm – 1pm each Tuesday and Thursday depending upon the numbers”.
· A member enquired as to why the newsletters were attachments and not emails.
The secretary replied: “If it was done without attachments the emails would be too long but the situation would be reviewed”.
· There was a query regarding outdoor bowls. The member was assured that the website had been amended.
9. Close of meeting (10.40am)

Winchester Fitness and Sports Club is primarily based at Winchester Sport and Leisure Park, with bowls (indoor and outdoor) and lawn tennis taking place on the River Park site. The club is for persons 50 years old and over and it provides a wide range of sporting activities and social events for people of all abilities. We encourage a welcoming environment to provide exercise for persons of all abilities.

The club uses facilities provided by Everyone Active at the Winchester Sports and Leisure Park, lawn tennis at the Winchester City Council's courts at River Park and bowls at Hyde Abbey Bowls Club (summer) and Riverside Bowls Club (winter)

At Winchester Fitness and Sports Club we offer mix-in sessions for the racket sports, and instructor led classes for activities such as Aquacise, Chair Yoga, Forever Fit, Tai Chi and Yoga. Our instructors are employed by Everyone Active and are all appropriately qualified. We also have access to swimming and gym sessions.
We aim to have fun in everything we do.

Join Winchester Fitness and Sports Club Sports Club for a fun and active experience. We offer a wide range of sports and activities for those 50 and over and all skill levels:
Aquacise
Badminton
Bowls
Chair Yoga
Forever Fit
Gym
Lawn Tennis
Pilates
Racketball / squash
Short tennis
Spinning
Swimming
Table Tennis
Tai Chi
Please speak to one of the committee members:
Mike Thomas (Chair)
Karen Hart (Secretary) secretary@wfsclub.org.uk
Hilary Walton (Membership Secretary) membershipwfsclub@gmail.com
Tony Cantelo (Vice Chair) wfsclub.ea@gmail.com
Penny Holder (Treasurer)
Michael Morris wfsclub.ea@gmail.com
Meeta Pandy
Adrian Reeves
Trish Turnbull
Sandra Waterman
50 / 45 minute session - Tuesdays 11.45 - 12.35 and Thursdays 13.00 - 13.45
55 minute session - Tuesdays 10.50 - 11.45
45 minute session - Tuesdays 10.00 - 10.45
55 minute session - Thursdays 10.00 - 10.55
45 minute session - Tuesdays 11.00 - 11.45.
We're trying our best to get it reinstated.
55 minute session - Thursdays 12.40 - 13.35
55 minute session - Thursdays 11.15 - 12.10
Badminton, racketball / squash, short tennis, table tennis - Tuesdays and Thursdays 10.00 - 13.00; short tennis only Fridays 10.00 - 12.00
55 minute session - Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays 10.00 - 13.00
55 minute session - Tuesdays and Thursdays 10.00 - 13.00
2 hour mix-in session on Mondays and Wednesdays 10.00 - 12.00 (using Winchester City Council's Love Tennis Card £39.00 for a year (per family))
Contact Sandra Herron ( sandraherron@ntlworld.com )
Contact Sandra Herron ( sandraherron@ntlworld.com )
WINCHESTER FITNESS AND SPORTS CLUB CONSTITUTION[ revised 2023 ]
1. The club shall be known as ‘The Winchester Fitness and Sports Club’.
2. A committee consisting of the Chairperson, Honorary Secretary, Honorary Treasurer and eight members, all elected at an Annual General Meeting shall manage the club. The committee shall appoint a committee member as Vice Chairperson. Additional members may be co-opted to the committee to avoid its total number falling below eight.
3. The Club’s financial year shall end on 30th September.
4. An Annual General Meeting shall be held in November. The quorum for this shall be a minimum of 20 members.
5. An Extraordinary General Meeting may be convened at the written request to the Committee or of not less than 20 members.
6. The committee shall arrange procedures and guidelines for the implementation of the Constitution.
7. The Constitution may only be altered by a majority approval at a General Meeting.
1. NUMBERS. The number of members paying subscriptions shall not exceed 600, except at the discretion of the Membership Secretary with the approval of the Club Committee can accept extra members over the 600 limit on condition that the extra members are not considered to represent a capacity overloading of any of the available WFSC classes or activities.
2. Any person over the age of 50 may become a member of the club subject to:
a) any limitations or restrictions that the committee may impose
b) the right of the committee to refuse or to terminate the membership of any person whose conduct is deemed to be unacceptable, or who is found to have not accessed any Club facilities for over one year
3. NEW MEMBERS. Shall be accepted at any time, with priority being given to partners of existing members and past members wishing to rejoin.
4. The club membership year shall commence on 1st October.
5. Members shall pay an annual subscription approved at the Annual General Meeting. This subscription shall become due immediately after 1st October. New members shall pay their membership subscription on gaining membership. Membership fees will be collected by the Club Membership Secretary on behalf of the club and paid into the club’s bank account at least monthly.
6. Members shall pay Everyone Active for each session they attend at River Park Leisure Centre or its successor at Winchester Leisure Park,, except
a) The three officers of the club, and
b) The Membership Secretary.
7. HONORARY MEMBERSHIP may be given to members deemed by the committee to have given outstanding service to the club. They are not required to pay an annual subscription nor pay an entrance fee to the Leisure Centre. Their number shall not exceed six active members.
GENERAL MEETINGS.
1. NOTICE OF MEETINGS. Members are to be advised of the date and agenda of any General Meeting by a notice displayed on the club’s website not less than three weeks before the meeting. A copy will be emailed to all members who have supplied an email address out of courtesy; the notice on the club’s website shall be deemed to be the official version. No other notice to members will be given.
2. VOTING PROCEDURE. Only members attending a meeting may vote. Following a seconded proposal voting shall be by a majority show of hands.
3. COMMITTEE ELECTION PROCEDURE. Committee members are normally elected at the Annual General Meeting. Nominations for election to the committee are to be invited from members by a notice on the club’s website not less than three weeks before the meeting. When nominations match vacancies the Chairperson of the meeting may accept a seconded proposal to vote for their collective election. If there is more than one nomination for any of the three officers and/or more than eight nominations for the other members the elections(s) shall be decided by ballot. In the event of a ballot the committee shall appoint an Election Officer to issue voting papers to members attending the meeting, to arrange to collect the papers and to supervise the counting of the votes in the same room and at the same time as the meeting is taking place. If there are insufficient nominations to fill the positions of the three officers and at least four other committee members the Chairperson shall convene an Extraordinary General Meeting to decide the future of the club.
1. FREQUENCY. There shall be at least one meeting every quarter.
2. QUORUM. At least half of the committee including two officers.
3. NOTICE of meetings for the year shall be circulated to the committee members, by the Secretary. Notice of changes or additional meetings to be notified to committee members in writing or verbally.
4. MINUTES of meetings shall be recorded by the Secretary and copies circulated to the committee members. Any decision minuted and approved shall be deemed to be the decision of the committee whether or not a vote was taken. Committee minutes shall be available to any club member on request.
5. VOTING where necessary shall be by a show of hands, and approved by a simple majority, the Chairperson having a casting vote. A committee member may ask for a vote to be taken on any matter and that their vote be minuted.
1. THE COMMITTEE. To ensure that the objectives of the club, which are to provide the facilities and organization for members to enjoy healthy exercise, sport and social recreation, are maintained.
2. CHAIRPERSON. To ensure appropriate management, organization and administration of the club. To chair all club meetings, unless (s)he delegates this to another committee member.
3. SECRETARY. To advise members of forthcoming meetings, arrange accommodation for the meetings, and record and distribute minutes. Act as liaison with the management of River Park Leisure Centre, its successor at Winchester Leisure Parkand any other clubs or bodies. Deal with club correspondence.
4. TREASURER. To maintain an adequate record of club finances, administer cash and bank details, produce financial accounts of the club’s financial year, and, after independent scrutiny and approval by the committee, and arrange presentation of the accounts to the members at the Annual General Meeting. Arrange appropriate insurance.
5. EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE. The Chairperson, Secretary and Treasurer, as the officers of the club have collective authority to decide any urgent matter occurring between meetings.
6. EIGHT COMMITTEE MEMBERS. Each member to have responsibility for one or more of the regular activities of the club. They will ensure that the activity for which they have responsibility has adequate equipment, runs smoothly, and that all new members are made welcome and given help and encouragement. They are not expected to attend every club session or to spend their time exclusively in the activity for which they are responsible. They may delegate their responsibilities to another member in their absence. They may arrange matches for club members in their activity within the club and with other over 50s clubs, but maintain the emphasis on health and fun rather than competitive sport.
7. EQUIPMENT. Committee members are responsible for ensuring that there are adequate supplies of equipment available for each activity.
8. GENERAL. Committee members are encouraged to circulate amongst the members and to offer them help and encouragement with the aim of promoting the health and fun activities of the club.
DISSOLUTION
1. If the committee of the club decide that it is necessary to dissolve the club it shall convene an Extraordinary General Meeting giving 28 days notice to members by notice on the club’s website.
2. A resolution to dissolve the club must be passed by a two-thirds majority of members attending the meeting in order to be effective.
3. Once a resolution to dissolve the club is passed the club Committee must discharge all debts and liabilities and dispose of the remaining club assets by donation to local charities selected by the Committee.
4. A final financial report detailing the settlement of debts and distribution of donations must be made available to members on request.
NOVEMBER 2020[ revised 2023 ]
Timetable & Prices.
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