The Cairns Post

Club delves into past

- For more informatio­n contact Guy Thomas on 0417 648 597.

WITH a centenary of hard court action behind them, the Edmonton Tennis Club is now hoping to compile its history – but understand­ably, it’s a mammoth task.

The club is hosting a reunion afternoon tea next Saturday at 3pm.

President Guy Thomas is inviting all members past and present to rekindle memories of playing at the venue.

“What we want to do is get together and everyone can say their recollecti­ons about the club,” Mr Thomas said.

He said they have managed to track down a former member who is currently 91 years of age, who is attending that weekend.

Mr Thomas himself has been president for over 20 years and was instrument­al in keeping the club independen­t.

“There were three ladies that were running this club (before I took over),” he said.

“The poor ladies were mowing the lawn … it was virtually defunct.”

Mr Thomas was working with Tennis Queensland at the time and he paired up with Gordonvale coach Jim Floyd to take over the reins of the Edmonton club.

They sought to improve the condition of the courts.

“There was concrete all the way up to the baseline,” Mr Thomas said.

“The courts were that rough like they were laid in the 70s with two kegs of beer and over two weekends.”

The club currently caters to juniors and a social group that plays every Thursday.

“That’s all we have room for,” Mr Thomas said.

The club has found some recent success through the

North Queensland circuit.

“We had 11 kids out of 42 for the North Queensland tennis finals,” he said.

One of their most successful products is Emma Hiles, who has played in tournament­s across Europe.

In addition, the club was very honoured to host a visit by World No. 1 ranked player Ash Barty last month.

“The fact that she picked this club (for a visit) is testament to the quality of the kids we got here,” Mr Thomas said.

The Edmonton Tennis Club is now looking to the future expansion of the courts complex.

“We badly need three more courts,” he said.

They’re hoping a grant can help them reach that goal.

“We don’t have enough courts here (to host fixtures),” Mr Thomas said.

In the meantime, former members are encourage to attend the meet-up on Saturday November 30.

“We’d like to find out the history of it, too,” Mr Thomas said.

“We only know snippets.”

 ?? Picture: STEWART McLEAN ?? COURTING ATTENTION: Ida Zappala who played at the Edmonton Tennis Club back in 1942 with current junior players Alexis Manson, 12, (Ida's great granddaugh­ter) and Jolie Kawane, 5,
Picture: STEWART McLEAN COURTING ATTENTION: Ida Zappala who played at the Edmonton Tennis Club back in 1942 with current junior players Alexis Manson, 12, (Ida's great granddaugh­ter) and Jolie Kawane, 5,

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