Rich History Of Parramatta Tennis
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The Parramatta Tennis Club was formed in the early 1900s to cater for increased interest in Tennis in Parramatta, Granville and surrounding areas. Most of the courts were found in backyards – unfortunately, most of these have now disappeared.
In 1938, the club teamed up with the Parramatta Bowling Club, where the first association courts were established.
The Tennis club had enthusiastic members who participated and eventually formed the Parramatta-Granville and Districts Hardcourt Tennis Association (P-G&DHTA) in the 1940s. The association conducted competitions, tournaments and social events, including the annual ball for club members and the community.
P-G&DHTA became Parramatta-Baulkham Hills & DHTA, reflecting the changing demographics and finally Parramatta City Tennis Inc. (PCT). The Parramatta City Tennis Centre is also known as Barton Park or “Parra Tennis” and carries the motto of “The Best in the West”.
The Centre, previously referred to as “Glenquarrie” was established in 1947 when Pat McMahon and his wife Lilla, commenced construction of 4 ant-bed courts. This encouraged many families in the area to start playing tennis, keeping with the tradition of the Parramatta Tennis Club.
In 1952, Pat sold the original courts and surrounding land to the Parramatta City Council. Pat was an avid player, a regular at our courts playing into his 90’s, and he lived every moment of his 97 years. Pat was elected a Life Member and a plaque was placed adjacent to court 1 in his memory.
Our association, along with Parramatta City Council, has been sustaining the tradition of the original Parramatta Tennis Club. The complex now consists of 17 well-maintained synthetic tennis courts with floodlighting. The courts have been named after after some of the “backyard” courts of the past, for example, Naomi, Jacaranda, Alvina to name a few.
“Parra Tennis” continues to be a very popular centre and is managed by a passionate team of volunteers and an onsite Care-taking manager. Committee members continue to volunteer their time with everything from court maintenance, organization of competition and social Tennis to BBQ’s and fundraising.
Parramatta City Tennis continues to be affiliated with Tennis NSW and NSW Hardcourt Tennis Association, continuing the long tradition of over a century of Tennis in our region.
