AGM Nominations

I have been a member of TTFC for 5½ years, currently across both tennis and fitness, and my husband, Andrew, is a tennis member. I have three children, the youngest of whom is about to leave Holmfirth High School.

After completing a degree in European Politics, I studied for a Diploma in Strategic People Management and became a Member of the Chartered Institute of Personnel Development. During and after that time, I worked within Human Resources in manufacturing companies, before moving on to having my own HR Consultancy business for a number of years.

I have also studied German (after which I lived and worked for a couple of years in Hamburg) and am currently learning Spanish (albeit slowly) as my husband and I spend time in Spain. There we found Padel Tennis, which I think is a great sport to learn at any age but is also a good transition from tennis when you can’t get round the court as fast as you used to!

For now, I run the family home, keep an eye on my elderly mother and volunteer at the local Food Bank, whilst making sure I find plenty of time to enjoy the tennis and fitness offerings at TTFC! I am so pleased I joined the club; it is such a welcoming space with friendly people and knowledgeable staff. It is a real asset to the local community, and I would like to see it continue long into the future.

With my skills in HR (effective communication, forward planning, inclusivity, problem solving, organisation, etc.) I hope to be a positive addition to the current committee at TTFC, assisting in achieving the ongoing success of the club.

My name is Michael Culshaw and before retirement I was the Director of Pharmacy for Calderdale and Huddersfield NHS Foundation Trust from June 1998 to October 2017.I live in Upperthong and I am married with two grown up children who have both enjoyed the facilities of Thongsbridge Tennis & Fitness Club (TTFC). I have been a member of the gym at Thongsbridge ‘off and on’ for over a decade. I do not play tennis, but I do attempt to play golf with a high handicap.

We are extremely lucky to have the facilities of Thongsbridge Tennis and Fitness Club in the Holme Valley. I feel that I should do ‘my bit ‘to assist in developing the club so that we have a sustainable facility for many years to come.

My skill set as an experienced Director of Pharmacy are transferable to me becoming an effective director for the club.

I have experience with strategic leadership and business planning and have strong people management skills. I am a cooperative team player with excellent interpersonal skills and a common- sense approach to problem solving.  My main interest is good governance.

I have been a committee member at the club for the last year. I have endeavoured to understand how the board functions and have established good working relationships with directors, committee members and managers. Recently, I have assisted the General Manager and Head Coach with data collation in relation to the utilisation of courts in the club.

If elected as a director I would bring a ‘fresh pair of eyes’ approach to the opportunities and issues faced by the club with a view to seeking on-going improvements in quality and efficiency. I usually achieve results through persuasion and taking people along with me with an occasional dose of humour.

I would be joining the Board at a time when the TTFC Strategic Plan 2024-2026 has just been approved and I believe I have the skill set and leadership ability and knowledge of effective governance to assist with the successful implementation and ownership of the plan for the sustainable future of the club.

I welcome and would be most grateful for your support at the election of directors at the AGM on 6^th March 2024.

Thank you.

A marketing director of 17 years, and for the last five years, a company director, my background lends itself well to understanding the challenges many organisations face when rolling out a strategic roadmap of progression towards future security. I have a genuine and natural interest in exploring ways in which goals can be achieved when the more traditional or obvious routes are no longer appropriate or viable.  

Previously, a school governor of seven years, overseeing how non-profit organisations work to secure reputation, budgets and staff, this background feels appropriate to my application for a Board position. I am not afraid to challenge; governance requires a voice at appropriate times. I have a thorough understanding of GDPR and general use of data and the rights of data subjects. Mum to two active boys, now both at Holmfirth High School, I have had chance to experience all aspects of junior life here at the club. I am also an active tennis  (and S&C) member of the club - if you can't beat them, join them! I have been a member of the Junior Committee for the last 6 years and member of the Club Committee since the AGM of 2021. I enjoy raising funds for the club to support ongoing tennis experiences for all junior members. We are so lucky to have this facility and community on our doorstep, and I would very much enjoy being a part of its future.