Karen Mitchell and Angela Wood step down

as directors of Yorkshire Tennis

It’s with a huge vote of thanks for their superb contributions – and also with great regret – that the board of Yorkshire Tennis Limited (YTL) confirms Karen Mitchell and Angela Wood have stepped down from the their roles as directors of the organisation.
 
Karen, who continues in her role as Yorkshire Tennis President, has completed the maximum term of nine years that directors of county organisations are allowed to serve by the LTA, while Angela has taken the decision to terminate her role after eight years as a director and board member.
 
Both Karen and Angela have given tremendous service to Yorkshire Tennis and the board of YTL therefore wishes to thank them both for their tremendous contributions.
Portrait photo of Angela Crossley
As a volunteer Karen Mitchell (pictured above left) has carried out numerous roles with distinction and, as chair of the County Performance Committee, was instrumental in Yorkshire’s fantastic achievement in winning the County Cup Race in 2022. Karen also served as County Safeguarding Officer, a role she fulfilled with distinction. 
 
Karen’s contribution to Yorkshire Tennis cannot be overstated and it was fitting that in she was presented with the LTA Meritorious Award in 2019 for her contribution to tennis. She became the first female from Yorkshire to play at the U12 National Championships in Eastbourne and she has since represented the county at all age groups, including as captain of the women’s Winter County Cup winning team in 2003.
 
Further recognition followed in 2023 when she was inducted into the Yorkshire Tennis ‘Hall of Fame’ and the following year she was awarded the honorary role of YTL President which she will continue to hold during 2026. Karen’s many achievements in the sport are summarised in her profile on the Yorkshire Tennis website: https://www.yorkshiretennis.org.uk/president/
 
Angela Wood (pictured right) has also done a fantastic job as a board member and as chair of our Coach Engagement and Education Committee. Her work and contribution has been vital in ensuring Yorkshire has a highly skilled and qualified workforce. It was therefore no surprise that the LTA awarded Court Craft, a company owned by Angela and her business partner Jo Cunliffe, the workforce education contract for the whole Northern Region. 
 
In 2024, Angela received the Yorkshire Tennis President’s Award for her achievements in padel, representing Great Britain at the 35&O Seniors World Championship. She will, of course, retain her links with Yorkshire Tennis and remains a member of the Coach Engagement and Education Committee, which director Rob Ratcliffe now chairs. She has been a superb volunteer and her balanced and insightful contributions as a board member will be greatly missed. 
 
These are indeed exciting times for Angela as she embarks on her many and varied ventures as a coaching provider, coach education provider, padel club owner and, most importantly, as a mum with family responsibilities.