History

Timeline

1895
Club Formation

1

In 1895 the Kennedya Tennis Club formed at Henry Perdriau’s private court in Copeland Road , Beecroft. The Club was named after the red flowering vine which grew profusely in the district.

1898
Village Green Opened

2

In 1898 when membership became too large for the one court, the Trustees of The Village Green were requested to lease at a nominal rental about half an acre of land at the southern end of the Green for two courts. Upon agreement to the lease, the Club signed a contract with Mr. George Willis in August 1898 to construct two gravel courts at a cost of nearly £50. Play commenced on these two courts in mid-November 1898.

1902
Additional Court

3

By 1902 three courts and a small pavilion catered for 35 – 40 regular players.

1911
News Worthy

4

On 3 May 1911 the Cumberland Argus Newspaper reported that Beecroft Tennis Club ladies team, Miss Murray and Miss Searle defeated a Burwood pair in a tournament at Burwood.

1912
First Open Tournament

5

In 10 January 1912, the Beecroft Tennis Club ran an open tournament. 16 pairs of keen players entered to play in the tournament.

1916
Red Cross Tennis Competition

6

In mid November 1916 a Red Cross Tennis Competition was held on the courts of the Beecroft and Cheltenham Tennis Clubs. Sixty pairs took part and £25 26s was raised.

1917
From Gravel to Turf

7

In March 1917 the Trustees of The Village Green agreed to lease to the Beecroft Tennis Club sufficient land to convert the current 3 gravel courts to turf and to construct two new grass courts. The estimated cost of £150 50s was borrowed and the remainder was put up by Club members. The Club was to pay a rental of £5 for the use of this land.

1919
Let Us Entertain You

8

In June 1919 the Beecroft Tennis Club put on entertainment to raise funds to carry out improvements to the grounds.

1960
New Clubhouse

9

The current Clubhouse was built around 1960 during the Presidency of Jack Austin and was opened by Alex Colvin President of the Lawn Tennis Association. Cliff Gibson crafted the sets board, which is unique, in the Clubhouse.

1980's
New Synthetic Courts

10

Courts 1 and 2 were converted from lawn courts to synthetic grass courts and lighting was added.

2005
Verandah Upgrade

11

The Verandah facing the lawn courts was significantly upgraded to provide a covered outdoor area to view the tennis and provide an extended social area for members.

2018
LED Lighting

12

The lighting on Courts 1 and 2 was upgraded to LED lighting.

2019/20
Outdoor Seating

13

Outdoor seating was provided for Members and Hirers and a Security Gate was installed together with security fencing.

2024
125 Years

14

Celebrating the club's 125 years of operation.

BLTC Historical Documents

When Peter Boyce’s mother died some years ago in Beecroft, he cleaned out her house and came upon a handwritten ledger book detailing all the receipts and expenditures of the Club from the 1919-20 year to the 1937-38 year.

Peter kindly donated this historical book to the Club.

This book documents that the loan, taken out in 1917 to re turf the courts, was repaid in 1919-20. In 1919-20 the men’s subscription fees were £3 0s 6d and the ladies fees £1 10s 0d. Receipts were £334 13s 8d, expenditure £263 2s 9d giving a profit of £71 10s 11d.s.

Timeline

1895 Club Formation

1

1898 Village Green Opened

2

1902 Additional Court

3

1911 News Worthy

4

1912 First Open Tournament

5

1916 Red Cross Tennis Competition

6

1917 From Gravel to Turf

7

1919 Let Us Entertain You

8

1960 New Clubhouse

9

1980's New Synthetic Courts

10

2005 Verandah Upgrade

11

2018 LED Lighting

12

2019/20 Outdoor Seating

13

2024 125 Years

14