Floreat Park Tennis Club celebrates 85th anniversary

Published on 22 October 2024

The Floreat Park Tennis Club celebrated a significant milestone on Friday, 11 October, when past and current members gathered to mark the club’s 85th anniversary.

Over 80 guests, including Mayor Gary Mack of the Town of Cambridge, attended the function at the club’s premises on the junction of the Boulevard and Selby Street. The Mayor also formally opened the Summer season of tennis while the audience of former club players, including several Life Members, were given a review of the history of the club, which was formed in 1939.

A meeting at the Wembley Hotel late that year led to the creation of the club, which was formed with a loan from the City of Perth council. Bushland was cleared and a total of 11 grass courts were prepared for use so that, in December 1940, over 70 members started playing at the new facility.

A small pavilion was soon built and, during the World War 2 years, it was utilised as a Red Cross centre and kindergarten.

The club soon became a focal point for the local community with its highly visible location. A focus on family involvement saw the club grow, with a new clubhouse being built in the late 1950s.

Subsequent upgrades to the courts and the facilities continued over the next 50 years, including new playing surfaces, night time lighting and the access to court hire for non-members.

Over the years, Floreat Park has seen several sporting champions play on its courts, including Margaret Court, Casey Dellacqua and cricketeer Adam Gilchrist.

The club continues to thrive in the current era, with a vibrant membership base, strong junior program, a new coaching structure and upgraded LED lighting being fitted before the end of the year. The facilities are used seven days a week by members and visitors, with tennis courts available for hire to allcomers.