Tennis club celebrates 100 years in fine style

The Rapaura Tennis Club celebrated an historical milestone in appropriate fashion over the weekend, club president Ben Burridge saying the centenary event was a success “beyond expectations”.

The club have been located at their current address at the Rapaura Memorial Park on Rapaura Rd for 100 years, prompting a weekend of activities specially designed to mark the occasion.

The clubhouse, situated beside the iconic grass courts, was the venue for a meet-and-greet on Friday evening, with junior players in action and new honours boards being unveiled.

That was followed on Saturday by an afternoon of tennis activities, including an exhibition match between notable past and present players, some using old-fashioned wooden rackets. During the festivities, a tree was planted by Pat Pigou, the club’s oldest past member. Another tree was earlier planted in memory of another club stalwart, the late Dot Fenemor.

On Saturday evening, the action moved to the nearby Rapaura School hall, with 130 guests enjoying a centenary dinner and the entertaining input of guest speaker, former Grand Slam semi-finalist Belinda Cordwell, who recalled playing in Marlborough early in her distinguished career. Phil Wright, a member of the Tennis NZ board was also in attendance and congratulated the club on its longevity and continued place in the community. Several club stalwarts also took the opportunity to underline what the club had meant to them and their families over many, many years.

On Sunday, a more formal ceremony took place, recognising the wartime service of those remembered on the memorial gates and those from the area who made the ultimate sacrifice. Ben described it as “a beautiful and moving ceremony, attended by around 70 people”.

Mayor Nadine Taylor was in attendance, recalling the kind gesture of the Gifford family, who lost one of their eight sons during World War 1, and granted the land in his memory.

Acclaimed Marlborough soprano Rosie McAlister sang the national anthem, while club member Graham Moseley played the Last Post. Wreaths were laid by relatives of the 12 soldiers who gave their lives in the Boer War, the Great War and World War 2, plus the RSA and the Mayor.

The tennis club has evolved into a modern, six-court facility with its well-tended grass courts now becoming a rarity on the modern tennis scene.

Ben said the club was in good heart, with plenty of senior sides and over 100 youngsters receiving coaching from Glen Cameron and Matt Hair each week.

“We have a very active committee. Everyone is contributing … plus we have lots of people outside of the committee who are doing their bit as well,” added Ben.