ILKLEY Lawn Tennis & Squash Club are searching for a third general manager in 10 months.

Charlie Maunder was in situ from January 2014 until March of this year, when he was replaced by Adam Della Rocca.

But the latter is leaving at the end of the month as his wife, who is from Ilkley, has a new job in Hampshire.

Della Rocca, based in California before relocating to Ilkley, said: “We came up here for a reason – to look after my father-in-law, who unfortunately passed away in September, and it was time for a move back down to the coast – the New Forest – where my wife has a good opportunity at Chewton Glen, and hospitality is where both of our hearts are.”

Chewton Glen Hotel in New Milton is a five-star country house set in 130 acres, which has been voted Best Hotel in the British Isles.

As for his nine months at Stourton Road, Della Rocca, who has over 15 years’ experience in hospitality and hotel management, said: “It has been an incredible community to work with at Ilkley.

“Tennis is a massive sport and it was a real challenge to take it out of the pandemic and I am proud of where I have taken it.

“We have seen the membership rebound and the tennis tournaments this summer were just a small taste of what is to come in the future.

“We have to keep a little mum in terms of the contract with the LTA re the Challenger but we have definitely been in conversation with them and things are looking optimistic for next summer.

“No dates have been confirmed yet but things look like they are heading in the right direction. The LTA have been talking to the ATP and ITF about their calendars for next year.”

The Ilkley Trophy, a pre-Wimbledon warm-up tournament, was held from 2015-2019.

It was not held last year or this year due to the pandemic, being switched to Nottingham this year because of the lack of a bio-secure bubble at Ilkley.

Della Rocca has previously been general manager of the historic Keating Hotel (built in 1890) and the Surfer Beach Hotel and Oceanside Marina Suites in Southern California prior to coming to Ilkley Lawn Tennis & Squash Club, and was deputy manager at the Wheatley Arms in Ben Rhydding from 2010-12.

He also swapped surfboards for rugby balls and was captain of Ilkley RUFC’s second XV while he was over here.

Della Rocca and his wife have two daughters, who attend Ashlands Primary School.