History of Narrogin Tennis Club

1905  -  2nd September Narrogin Observer “The members of the Narrogin Tennis Club will have good                                          cause  to congratulate themselves on the possession of such fine courts as are now being laid down for                      their use by the ground committee of the Agricultural Society (at the eastern end of the present sports                     ground). An early opening of the season is announced.” This club lasted for two years then lapsed.

1910  -  10th May Narrogin Tennis Club re-formed. Membership for Men was a guinea, members wives 2/6.                             These two courts and a croquet lawn where were the Baptist Church and carpark now are (between                          Willams Rd and Falcon St.)

As was the case with most sporting groups of the time this re-formed tennis club lapsed during the early years of World War.

1917  -  31st October the Narrogin Tennis Club was re-formed once again at a meeting in the Town Hall. Dr                              Mackie was elected President. Working bees soon had the two courts on Williams Road back in playing                   condition.

Early 1920’s  - When negotiations began to have all the town’s sports centralized on what was to be known as                                       the Greater Sports Ground, The Narrogin Tennis Club Mr. WJ Mills was involved in the first                                              meeting. When the design for the Greater Sports Ground was designed it was stipulated that                                            space should be allowed for two courts “with provision for expansion.” The Greater Sport and                                          Recreation Ground included Racing Club, Trotting Club, Football Association, Cricket                                                           Association,  Bowling, Golf and Hockey Clubs, Soccer, Croquet and Polo clubs.

                               The club was playing at its present site by the early 1920’s and six courts were ready for use at                                          the  beginning of the 1925-25 season.

1932 - Saturday 3rd December the Narrogin Tennis Club continued to prosper so well the on Saturday the imposing new pavilion erected at the courts was opened by Mayor AP McCormick supported by the Club Patron Mr. Vic Doney, MLA Mr. WF Bird and the club president Mr. W Ingleton. That afternoon eighty visitors from other clubs joined members in a men’s and ladies doubles competition, and during the evening a successful opening dance was held in the main room of the pavilion.

1937 - Membership at 120 people. There were many tennis clubs and courts in Narrogin at the time including Presbyterian, Baptist, Methodist, ANA, fire brigade and it was recorded that up to thirty-five private courts existed around the town. Play at all these clubs was on Saturday, Sunday was a day for going to church. Ladies’ competition was midweek.

1957  -  State Hardcourt Championships held during the Easter Tournament

1961  -  Upgrades to Clubrooms

1962  - NTC Enters 12 teams to country week with much success.

1962  - Arthur Marshall Coaching Clinics held 339 children enrolled from Narrogin, Wickepin and Tincurrin

1969 -  Lock Borthwick Shield became a one-day tournament for all surrounding clubs. Eight teams participated.

1972   - Visit from the Governor’s Team for a morning and afternoon of tennis, twelve players chosen to                                       participate.

1973  - Town of Narrogin agree to share costs to resurface the four clay courts. Later in that year decision was made due to increase cost and with much reluctance to do away with clay courts. Courts 1-4 to be walk top and courts 7-8 Colas.

1977  - Noted that the Dunn Family won all Club Championship Events – Men Singles, Ladies Singles,                                          Mens and Ladies Doubles and Mix Doubles

1978   - Cyclone Alby caused damage to back fence and practice wall (later removed)

1980  -  Share cropping program to raise monies for new Clubrooms and Pavilion, this program continued                                 for many years.

1984  -  New club rooms built, consisting of captain’s room, changerooms and kitchen.

1986  - Extension added to Club rooms and plans made for lighting all courts.

2000-2005 - Tree planting for the oil mallee group to raise money for court upgrades.

2010  - Donations made by Hardie Family to upgrade courts 7-10 to flexipave.

2023  -  Lighting upgrade were done to courts 1-4.  Court resurfacing four synthetic and four flexipave                                       hard  courts.