The Morningside Tennis Centre, home to the Queensland Community Lawn Tennis Association, celebrated a remarkable century of serving its local community and the sport of tennis last Sunday, 18 May, 2025.
The momentous occasion saw the public join in the festivities at the centre, marking a significant milestone for the organisation.
A Century of Community Tennis
The Morningside tennis journey began in January 1925 with the founding of the Queensland Catholic Lawn Tennis Association (QCLTA), a group born from a shared passion for the game. Over the decades, it blossomed into a significant tennis community, reaching its peak with more than 1,300 members.
In its early days, the club was a central gathering point for a tight-knit community in what was then a semi-rural area of Brisbane, where tennis was both a pastime and a way to connect people. Basic courts and wooden racquets were the norm, and tournaments often included social gatherings with tea and cake.
From the early 1930s through to 1970, the QCLTA regularly participated in events with the Australian Catholic Lawn Tennis Association and hosted teams from across the country.
A New Home and Lasting Legacy
A significant turning point occurred in 1997 when the QCLTA committee purchased a tennis centre on Beverley Street in Morningside. This location became the club’s permanent home and new identity: the Morningside Tennis Centre.
A key figure in the club’s development was Brenda Dale, a coach and life member whose dedication and leadership were vital to the QCLTA’s expansion. In 2015, the club made considerable upgrades to its facilities thanks to Brenda’s generous donation of her estate.
Today, the Brenda Dale Memorial Clubhouse is a tribute to her influence and a place for future generations to gather.
Continued Excellence and Future Ambitions
The Morningside Tennis Centre has continued to demonstrate its excellence in tennis, earning Club of the Year titles at both the Queensland Tennis Awards and the Australian Tennis Awards in 2014. While many players have been part of the club’s history, Ken Fletcher, a renowned Queensland player and Wimbledon champion, may have once trained there. As the club looks back on its remarkable past, more stories from former players and members are being discovered.
Adrian Symons, President of the Morningside Tennis Centre and QCLTA since 2018 and a committee member since 2017, has been a driving force behind the club’s achievements. He stated that many of the QCLTA’s goals involve the Morningside Tennis Centre the best and most sought-after tennis centre in Brisbane.
Darren Stoddart, Head of Tennis Development at Tennis Queensland, expressed that it was wonderful to see the community come together to celebrate such an important milestone for the tennis centre and the region, acknowledging the club’s rich history and plans for the next 100 years.
Published Date 20-May-2025