Belrose Tennis Club

The History of Belrose Tennis Club 1975 to 1995

Prepared by Harry Brown, January 1996

Junior Club Championships were conducted each year with five events in each of the two age groups in the same manner as the adult club. Also a few tournament/barbecues were held during the year for juniors on Sunday evenings.

One past Annual Presidential Report praised the Junior Club as ‘probably the best organised, run and effective Junior Club in the district. ‘They are renowned for their good behaviour and sportsmanship, fellowship, and competitive spirit.

The success of the Junior Club was due to the unselfish hard work and time given by a select group of BTC adult members and parents, who provided the administration, operation, team management, transport, and supervision of Sunday play.

CLUB HISTORY

The following is a brief listing of some significant facts or events over the last 21 years.

1975 - BTC inaugural meeting on 12/1/75 at the courts, when 65 foundation members joined up. Construction work on the small first Clubhouse (now the kitchen and public hirers' area) commenced in November. Members were issued with and were required to wear name tags. The Christmas Dinner/Dance was held at the Forestville RSL Club. Membership at the year's end stood at 141 adults with an annual fee of $32 per year. Public hire charges were $5 per half day or $1.50 per hour. Newman Coaching College were appointed., WSC lease fee $500 per annum for all courts.

1976 - Due to poor attendance on Sundays, ‘Associate' membership was introduced with play limited to Sunday afternoon. ‘Ordinary' members could play during all Club playing times and be selected for MWTA District Competition. Small Clubhouse completed in March. Junior Club commenced and use of two courts at Davidson High School secured for Sunday Morning play by children on a waiting list. First Club championship run. Membership - 100 ordinary; 16 associates (105 waiting); 36 juniors (45 waiting); total 152 (150 waiting).

1977 - Improvements - retaining wall around court four with areas grassed, concrete areas and paths, racquet holding table, fencing around back of Clubhouse, barbecue tables and yellow stacking chairs, drink machine and refrigerator. Roster introduced for Day Captains. Christmas Dinner/Dance at Belrose Bowling Club, and mid-year function at Manly Music Loft. Club Championships attracted 135 entries and 128 matches played. Purple and Gold adopted as club colours.

1978 - During the year, eight tournament/barbecues were held. Average attendance was 25 social Saturday afternoons on two courts; 24 competition Saturday afternoons; 30 social Sunday afternoons. Membership - 98 ordinary, 26 associates (80 waiting); 70 juniors (15 waiting); total 194 (95 waiting).

1979 - Desired membership set at - 150 ordinary, 20 associate, 70 junior, total 240. Tenders called for coaching contract, BTC requests WSC grant 20-year lease.

Tennis Liaison Committee formed to meet regularly with WSC Reserves Committee. All lease income received by WSC from Clubs to be placed in a Trust Fund to be used exclusively for leased Club facilities.

1980 - Average playing attendance in the year - 19 social Saturday afternoon; 22 competition Saturday afternoons; 15 social Sunday afternoons; 36 juniors at BTC Junior Club Sunday morning; 22 children at Davidson High School courts on Sunday morning. Newman’s Coaching contract extended. Christmas Dinner/Dance at Belrose Bowling Club where newly appointed Club Patron, Paul Couvret, handed out Club championship prizes. Mid-year function at Master Builders Club at Dee Why.

1981 - Night lighting installed on courts one, two and three, with club playing times extended to Wednesday and Friday nights. Club membership graded as either A, A/B, B or C categories of tennis standard. Annual BTC membership fees $50 ordinary, associate $35, junior $15.

1982 - Security fence erected behind Clubhouse. BTC junior teams play Saturday afternoon mixed, MWTA Competition on Couvret Wakehurst Courts.

1983 - All courts resurfaced with synthetic grass for $50,000 with $25,000 from BTC ($15,000 bank loan and $10,000 taken from investments). After calling tenders, Ansell Tennis Academy appointed as Coach. After three years of negotiation and delays, the WSC granted a 20-year lease and the annual lease fee increased to $14,380 in first year.

1984 - BTC juniors allowed to play in adult Club championships. New floor tiling and cupboards in kitchen, and automatic switching installed on night lighting.

1985 - Continuation of previous high level of tennis activity.

1986 - Cabanas constructed alongside courts two, three and four; outside table/seat sets replaced; new aluminium windows installed in clubhouse; children's play fort demolished; concrete area in front of clubhouse pebblecreted. Christmas Dinner/Dance at Belrose Bowling Club and mid-year Fancy Dress function at Killarney Heights Community Hall. Upon resignation of Ansell Tennis Academy, the Pryor Family appointed as coach.

1987 - Development application for a major extension to Clubhouse submitted to WSC for approval.

1988 - Membership - 121 ordinary; 46 associates (15 waiting); 72 Juniors; total 239. The extensions to the Clubhouse commenced in May. Annual ETC membership fees - $80 ordinary; $60 associates; $25 junior.

1989 - Clubhouse extensions completed in April at total cost, including new tables and chairs, of $75,000. Club championships attracted 61 members and 84 matches were played.

1990 - The BTC Honour Board erected and telephone answering machine installed in Clubhouse. Use of Davidson High School courts discontinued as surfaces had deteriorated badly and Sunday morning attendance had dropped to four children. Christmas Dinner/ Dance held for first time in new Clubhouse opened by Paul Couvret, the Club Patron.

1991 - BTC made into a Corporation for insurance reasons, and for legal reasons, the membership category of "Associate" was discontinued. Courts one, two and three were resurfaced with synthetic grass at a cost of $40,000. The Club Championships attracted 192 players over 13 events.

1992 - WSC rejects application for construction of a new court five. Court public hire charges - $15 per half day; $7 per hour daytime; $18 per night.

1993 - Security alarm system installed in Clubhouse and regular visits by guards initiated. The first social Crazy Whist Night and Wine Tasting Night. The membership of the Junior Club was almost non-existent, so remaining junior members invited to join Adult Club. WSC lease fee for year $7, 618. Smith family awarded coaching contract.

1994 - Membership - adults 149; juniors nil; total 149. Two long serving committee members awarded Life Memberships. Magnetic board installed for storage of members' name tags and for selection of sets. Christmas Dinner/Dance at Costas Restaurant, Dee Why and mid-year Bush Dance held at Davidson High School.

1995 - Court four resurfaced in synthetic grass and lighting installed. Honour Board completed. A social tennis day held on BTC courts with Allambie Heights Club members. Christmas Dinner/ Dance at Manly/Warringah Rugby Leagues Club. At year's end, membership was 140; around 10% of current members are 1975 foundation members; annual membership fee $85; court public hire charges $19 per half day, $9 per hour daytime, $22 per night.