Grant Daniel started playing tennis as a teenager in the 1970s, some past players from that time that are still living in the Barossa are Ian/Sue Mader, Maurie/Hazel Humberdross, Roger/Joy Leske, Graham “Butch “ Linke, Martin/Sally Pfeiffer, John Kurtz and Mary Waymouth.

After a couple of years, Grant moved away to the Mallee area working on a mixed farm for a couple years before settling back in the Barossa. He then joined the Angaston tennis club, (they needed players) and this allowed Grant to play at a higher position against better opponents for greater challenges. After a few years, Angaston lost their Div 1 team, that’s when joining the Nuriootpa tennis club became his home of tennis.

Then nestling in as a long term committee person, and not wishing to take on any of the higher leadership roles, such as president/secretary/treasurer (as he was at the Angaston tennis club), but rather be an avid supporter of the people that held these positions.

Adding to the on court passion he was involved with a group of Nuri club members who were lines persons for various international tennis events held at Memorial Drive, Adelaide. Greg Kretschmer, Iian Grierson to name a couple of past members.

Qualified as level 2 Club Coach and has been with the Nuriootpa tennis club for 20 years.

Grant was nominated by the Nuriootpa tennis club and won the “Barossa sportsperson of the year”.

Coordinated the Nuriootpa Easter Tennis tournament for 5 years.

On the Committee of the “ Barossa Valley Women’s Open” for 15 years, coordinating the Thursday evening ever popular “Pro Am“ event.

Grant also arranged with one of the major sponsors of the Women’s Open, to run the John Alexander (past no 1 Australian professional tennis player) “Clipsal tennis clinics“.

He coordinated the Evonne “Cawley” Goolagong, girls, 13 & under Regional Cup and Search for a Star.

Some present players that were involved are Kate “Young”, now Kate Schmidt and Kylie Falkenberg.  “Search for a star“ found Tiffany Smith of Dutton..

Grants other involvements have been:

Local Schools tennis clinics,

Regional Development Officer for Tennis SA for 10 years.

Coordinate the Barossa junior challenge events, Country Carnival teams.

Highest level reached on court was the inter-state country team for 4 years.

Number 1 male player of the Barossa for many years.

And now, still playing and coordinating and coaching the present Nuriootpa Junior and Senior Saturday teams.

Certainly a worthy recipient of Life Membership with the Nuriootpa Tennis Club.

Current President Matt Zadow presenting Life Membership to Grant Daniel at the Club AGM on 25th March 2018.