Roma & District Tennis Club

The present Roma and District Tennis Club was formed on 29th June, 1989, with 20 members led by President Warren Beetson and an enthusiastic committee. On its formation, the Club had one overgrown and five playable antbed courts (previously these were known as Arcadians with 2 courts and Roma Tennis Association with 4). Four of these courts were suitably lit for night tennis, while the old clubhouse (near Court3) was still in a usable condition.

In 1991, under President Rob Williamson, 2 of these antbed courts were resurfaced with low-maintenance synthetic grass. Encouraged by growing membership and adequate court facilities, the committee staged its first tournament, sponsored by AMP, and began junior tennis coaching for 40 keen young tennis players (organizer Glenn Telford). In 1992, under the leadership of president Arthur Bice and with the aid of a Government Sports Grant, 40 trusting guarantors, and provision of materials, basework and manpower supplied by Roma and Bungil Shire Councils, the remaining four antbed courts were resurfaced. Tennis continued to flourish, allowing the Club to successfully apply for funds to construct a new clubhouse and 2 more courts. This $50,000.00 grant was received in 1996, with successful tenderer Bruce Garvie completing construction of the double-storey clubhouse late in the same year. The two new courts (Courts 7 and 8), were completed in February 1997, in time for the first night fixtures of the season.

From 1997 to the present day, Roma and District Tennis Club has continued to be active under various hardworking presidents (Glenn Telford, Barry Lewis, Baden Waldron) and committees, with tournaments, night fixtures, ladies’ day fixtures, and court hire (including fees from resident coaches beginning with Glenn Adamson in 1996 to present-day coach Matt Bourke), the main sources of income for the Club. Other notable fund-raising ventures during this time were Race Bars, Trivia and Movie Nights, Corporate Challenges, raffles.