Mayo tennis club receive distinction at official opening of new indoor court
SIX weeks after from the informal opening of Claremorris Tennis Club’s new indoor court, the ribbon was cut to officially open the glorious facility last Saturday evening, writes Nathan Guilfoyle.
Politicians such as Michael Ring and Alan Dillon were in attendance, along with local councillors Tom Connolly and Patsy O’Brien.
The event was marked with the awarding of the Golden Credit from Tennis Ireland, a highly prestigious honour, becoming the 11th club in the country to receive the award, and the first Connaught club to receive the honour.
Claremorris Tennis Club have combated our reliance on Mother Nature, opening a new state of the art indoor tennis court. It is contained inside a concrete structure, ensuring that the tennis being played in Claremorris doesn’t have to be reliant on the weather, which allows for the prospect of tennis played all year round.
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Councillor Patsy O’Brien, Deputy Alan Dillon, Aisling Keane, Dr. Mona McGarry (club sponsor), John Ryan (president of Tennis Ireland), Deputy Michael Ring, Councillor Tom Connelly and club members at the opening of Claremorris Tennis Club’s indoor court.Image 2 of 2
Tennis Ireland president John Ryan presents Claremorris Tennis Club chairperson Benoit Lussan with the Tennis Ireland Gold Level Clubmark Accreditation. Claremorris is the only club in Connaught to receive the distinction and one of only 11 clubs nationwide.The facility was a community driven project, lasting just over two years. Much of the planning and development was done over the likes of Zoom during lockdowns, which added an extra challenge to proceedings. At the cost of €10 for non-members and €6 for members, 75 minutes is a very affordable and fair price.
The president of Tennis Ireland,John Ryan, attended the opening and spoke highly of the club’s recent progress, and gave a special thanks to the voluntary work that has enabled the club to begin a meteoric rise in the last decade.
"I am pleasantly surprised with the amount of effort that the club has undergone in recent years. The facility is an absolutely amazing asset to have, and one that allows the club to take a huge step forward in development, both of its players and its coaching. The voluntary work of the committee has been simply unbelievable, and I believe they deserve huge credit for what they have been able to achieve.”
The court was envisioned by club chairman Benoit Lusson, who was determined to expand the club’s facilities, and add a new dimension to the club. Lusson paid a special thanks to all members of the committee and thanked long time sponsor of the tennis club, Mona McGarry, who has given the club huge support throughout the years.
The annual Mona McGarry Tournament was played before the presentation, with winners Dave Grehan and Angie Harnett receiving gorgeous crystal prizes, a classy symbol of a club on the rise.
Lusson concluded with an ode to the club’s journey. It was originally established in the 1930s, re-established in 1989, only got new courts in 2002 and a clubhouse in 2006. Fifteen odd years later and it is becoming the hallmark for tennis clubs in the country, showing that through honest, tough work, any club can rise.
Booking is available online at www.claremorristennis.com.