The Glen Innes Tennis Association’s annual Far Northern Championships tournament will be smashing its 70-year anniversary next month.
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And it would have been longer as the original tournament kicked off in 1925, but was cancelled for a few years during World War II.
Tennis club president Peter Haselwood said the event had seen players travel from across two states from 1947 to compete.
“We have had 70 years of continuous running of this tournament since the end of World War II,” he said.
“We get people coming from Brisbane and Sydney as well as local areas like Moree, Inverell, Armidale and Tamworth.”
Mr Haselwood said one reason for the tournament’s huge success was due to how well the committee organised it each and every year.
“We’ve often had people say that it’s one of the better run tennis competitions that they go to,” Mr Hazelwood said.
“I think that’s because we really make a fair effort to feed people well.
“Another reason is that the draw is also set out fairly well in advance and is adhered to as much as possible.”
The club also has excellent facilities including seven synthetic courts and three play courts.
“We have really good facilities for a rural club,” he said.
“We have the ability to draw on another three grass courts if we need to that are privately owned.”
Last year the tournament saw around 100 participants of all skills levels travel to Glen Innes for the two-day event.
In the past, even former Wimbledon and Grand Slam competitors have made the trip to take part in the program.
In addition to the tournament, the club has some big plans to commemorate their 70-year achievement.
“We’ll display all the old trophies that have been given out over the years [at the club],” Mr Haselwood said.
“We’ll put out some photographs and old articles of various tournaments.”
Tournament secretary Dianne Morris said the event wasn’t just for highly competitive players - anyone could get involved.
“It is competitive – they’re here to win but we also attract a lot of families,” Ms Morris said.
“We attract the same people year after year because they know they’ll get a good tournament and we have different events for everyone.”
The tournament will be held on Saturday, February 25, and Sunday, February 26.
A breakfast will be available for competitors on the Sunday from 7am at the tennis club.
For fees and more information about the event, contact the club directly on 6732 1080.
Entries into the annual tournament will be closing on February 8, 2017.