Tennis: Roland Garros 2026 ticket ballot - apply before 15 May

Dear members,
We are delighted to announce this year's ticket ballot for the 2026 Roland Garros tennis tournament.
The tickets are for the day session Thursday, 28 May, on the centre court - Philippe Chatrier.
To enter the free draw to buy one of two pairs of tickets (244 euros ner pair), please follow this link to HelloAsso website (or use the QR-code below).
https://www.helloasso.com/associations/standard-athletic-club/evenements/sac-roland-garros-ticket-ballot-2026
The draw closes at midnight on 15 May. We will announce the winners on Saturday, 16 May, before the May round-robin tennis tournament.
One entry per adult member.
Good luck!
The Tennis Committee

Football News - Sunday 19 April Final game of season

On Sunday, 19 April, the adult football team played its last 11-a-side game of the season (we lost 2-3 vs Kerala Tuskers, click to see photo of the team).
Looking back at the season, it was great!
The team is young, happy to play and really shows football skills.
We often had 6 to 8 subs, which means that everyone had to get out on the pitch for 30 minutes or more, but everyone accepted it without complaining.
Last but not least, we won the large majority of our games, which had not been the case for years.

Tennis News - Summer is here - the clay courts are ready!

We are happy to announce that you can book and play on our magnificent clay tennis courts.
Courts 1, 2, 4 & 5 are playable, and we hope to have Court 6 ready for play this week.
Please make the most of the excellent tennis weather in the days ahead.
But remember these important rules:
- Sweep and water the courts after you play.
- If the courts are very dry, water before and after you play.
- Wear tennis shoes for clay courts (no running shoes) to avoid damaging the surface.
- When the weather is wet, do not play on the courts even if you find the doors unlocked.
- If you do play on the courts when they are soaked, you risk damaging them by leaving deep footprints in the clay, which creates an uneven surface, leading to bad bounces and the risk of twisted ankles and knees.
- The courts are expensive to repair. Please treat them - and your fellow tennis players - with respect.
- And remember, white tennis attire, please.
We look forward to seeing you all on court soon!
The Tennis Committee

Tennis News - SAC Spring Tennis Tournament 2026

It's tennis tournament time again. Players should have signed up for our annual internal tournament by Sunday, 27 April. 
Play will run from 28 April to 27 June, when we will host Finals Day -- and the White Dinner in the Rose Garden. 
We will be strict in scratching players who do not play their matches on time. 

The Tennis Committee

Exclusive Snooker Evening - Friday 29 May 2026 - Book Now!

For the first time in France, Shaun Murphy, World Champion and Triple Crown winner, will cross the Channel for a truly exceptional private exhibition at the Standard Athletic Club. (See poster in main article)
On Friday, 29 May 2026, from 7:30 pm, this black-tie evening will blend refinement with world-class sport: a cocktail reception, a seated dinner, and an intimate exhibition led by one of snooker’s greatest names, in the presence of Eurosport.
With 50 places already reserved by the French Billiard Federation, principal partner of the event, attendance will be limited to around 90 guests, ensuring a rare and exclusive atmosphere.

A decade after hosting Steve Davis, the Club once again prepares for one of its most prestigious evenings.

We are now approaching capacity for the snooker event, with tickets selling quickly and only a limited number of seats remaining. We recommend reserving soon to avoid disappointment. Final tickets are now on sale: so book now (€80) on HelloAsso: Shaun Murphy - Black tie - Snooker Exhibition 2026!

Golf News 2026 April, May, September

• Golf Weekend Belledune 17-19 April: 3 excellent days of golf with wonderful weather on a beautiful course. The individual Stableford was won by Ebba Dean with a score of 38 stableford points, followed by Paul O’Mahoney and best gross by John McCallum. The scramble team competition was won by Ebba, Joyce & Claude Jacques and Ian Jones.
• Golf Spring Cup at Villarceaux, Saturday, 30 May, for information contact .
• The next weekend will be at Hardelot on 26, 27 and 28 September. For details, please contact

See the main article for some photos.

Golf News 2026

Please read the main article for full details.
Key points:
* Annual Section Subscription Rates remain unchanged for 2026
  Please pay asap by transfer or cheque
* AGM/Prizegiving/Dinner was on Friday 20 March
* Golf Weekends Spring Weekend at Belle Dune 17-19 April, Autumn at  Le Touquet on 25-27 September
* Spring Cup on 30 May and the Autumn Vase on 10 October.
* See a full calendar of Section and Villarceaux events in the main article

SAC Squash News - The best-kept secret in sport

The Professional Squash Tour Finals is coming to Le Centquatre-Paris (104): world-class squash in one of Paris’ coolest cultural venues, just as the sport heads toward the Olympics.
Bring friends, spread the word, and keep an eye on the club squash WhatsApp group…. flash promos and group deals may be appearing very soon 👀.
If you can't get tickets for Roland-Garros, why not try Squash ? Close to the action, immerse yourself in a new Squash experience at le "104". From 17-20 June. Tickets here: https://www.parissquashproject.com/

Bridge News - 16 December Tournament & Quiz Results

Please read the main article for the Handicap and FFB results of the December tournament, featuring a huge score for Anne (R.) and Naomi (who very kindly joined us at the last minute to make up the numbers) in North-South with 67.5% and another big score for Christine and Marie-Claire in East-West with 63.83%! Also in the 60s, Patrick and Luc, 2nd in EW with 60.67% and 2nd in NS, Nicole and Jean-Paul with 55.83%. The nationwide results will be sent out in due course by the FFB. The answers to the quiz are also in the main article.

Many thanks to Maureen, Joan and Anne for their help in organising the tournament, and to Christine and Carole for their invaluable assistance with the cocktail, and to all of the players for participating and helping with the clearing away!

Bridge News - 20 January Tournament results

In the main article, you'll find the results of Tuesday's tournament (and the answers to the quiz). A huge score was made by Marie-Claire and Jane - 66.26% in NS, and an excellent score was made by Bernadette and Patrick in EW - 59.61%;  another brilliant score in NS - Joan and Ian with 57.05%. Well done to all of you!
Thank you all so much for participating! and also for helping with the clearing away. And my thanks to Carole and Tristan for their help in the kitchen and behind the bar.
The next tournament is planned for Tuesday, 24 February; the quiz (click here) will take place at 2 pm, followed by play at 2:30 pm.

Bridge News - 24 February Tournament

The next tournament is planned for Tuesday, 24 February; the quiz will be reviewed at 2 pm, followed by play at 2:30 pm. See the main article for the quiz (or click here) - "Defence after opponent's Weak Two opening".

Bridge News - 24 February Tournament Results

See the main article for the handicap results of our tournament, the quiz, and more detailed comments.
Next month, the tournament will be on Tuesday, 31 March; click here to see the quiz.
Anne and Nicolas were the big winners in NS with 66.81% and - again! - Marie-Claire and Jane in EW with 65.63%. Tied for 2nd place in EW: Jerome/Patrick and Claudie/Albert with 62.69%, and in NS Dougie/Claude with 61.27%.

Bridge News - 18 November Tournament Results

See the main article for copies of the "Handicap" and the "Nationwide" results, and the answers to the Quiz.
Warm congratulations to Jane and Françoise, 1st in East-West with 63.15%, and to Joyce and Claude, 1st in North-South with 62.05%; 2nd in NS - Joan and Ian with 60.42%, and 2nd in EW - Christiane and Claudia with 58.37%.
The final tournament of the year will take place on Tuesday, 16 December. (See the quiz here!)

Golf News: November 2025

Following the 4 Club and Putter Stableford competition held at Villarceaux on Saturday, 15 November,  please go to the main article to see the results of that competition and the current state of play in the Sue Hall Trophy for the 3 best average Stableford scores over the season.

SAC Squash News: We’re STILL on Fire!

Whilst it is getting colder out there, it's getting warmer on the courts! 4 victories out of 4 matches. Putting the SAC at the top of the league! What a start from the team! 
We also want to reiterate our invitation to all SAC members for our "Squash afternoon Challenge" on Saturday, 6 December. It will be an occasion for squash players of all levels to participate and meet some of the SAC squash (Bomb) Squad and play some fun squash formats!  Play to start from 2 pm. We will also organise a cup trophy ceremony for last year's winner of the King's Cup, Jerome Rideau.
See you on the courts!

Armistice Day Football: four family teams took part in memory of the fallen

Four teams, made up of parents and children, took part in SAC's traditional Armistice Day football tournament on a perfect autumn morning on Tuesday, 11 November.

After a minute's silence following a short speech by Matthew Curtin, it was fellow sports-section head Laurent Brault who marshalled dads, daughters and sons into a mini-tournament of finely balanced teams, matching youth and experience.

Thanks to all who turned out for a memorable morning's sport.

(Click for full-sized picture)

 

Golf News: Sue Hall Trophy - Scores to date October 2025

The Sue Hall Trophy is for the average of the best 3 net Stableford cards posted throughout the year.
The current state of play can be seen in the main article.

Golf News - 2025 Autumn Weekend Granville, Normandy - Results

The Golf Section’s 2025 Autumn Weekend took place between the 27th and the 29th of September in Granville, Normandy. Blessed with good weather, 18 participants enjoyed three days of golf and tourism in a beautiful part of Normandy, close to the Channel Islands and Mont Saint-Michel.
The Kiwi Cup (best net individual) was retained by the Jones family, this time with Ian in first prize with 41pts and Muriel in second. John Goodhardt won the Andrew Dean Trophy for best brut. The team competition on Monday was played in the Shamble format. It was won by the team of John Goodhardt, Corine Balleyguier and Jonathan Hibbs with a round of 63, followed by the team of John McCallum, Monica Greenwood and Naomi Moore also with a score of 63, but with a lesser back nine.
Thanks to all for your participation. Our next Golf Weekend will be in April 2026 at Belledune Golf Club in the Baie de Somme.
Read on for some photos

Tennis News - Ten'Up Reservation System to be updated this weekend (5/6 Oct)

The Ten’Up tennis reservation system will be updated this weekend (5/6 October). Thanks to everyone who has paid their subs promptly by the 30 September deadline. For those who have not paid, if you would still like to access tennis reservations, please ensure that your payment is received before this weekend, when the Ten’Up system will be updated for current memberships.

Swimming News - the pool was covered on Thursday 22 January

A protective winter cover was put on the pool today. Click here for a photo.