It’s advantage Teresa

HISTORY was made at a Northside tennis club recently when it elected its first ever Lady President in 127 years.

Teresa O’Connor has taken up the coveted position at Clontarf Lawn Tennis Club, founded in 1887, for a two-year tenure.

A delighted Teresa told Northside People:

“I’m really proud to be President of such a fabulous club, but I guess being the first ever Lady President is something special.

“It’s probably even extra special given the year that’s in it, with 2014 being the Millennium of the Battle of Clontarf.

“In terms of any vision I might have for my Presidency, I just want to be the best I can be for our members. The club belongs to the members.

“Myself and the executive committee, comprising a great group of committed individuals, all volunteering their valuable time to run their respective parts of the club, really want to do our very best to make the most of our fabulous facility.

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Nestled down a laneway off Oulton Road, Clontarf Lawn Tennis Club is a busy operation with 11 top class artificial courts, all floodlit.

Longstanding and loyal groundsman Peter Jones maintains the playing facilities on a full-time basis.

The club also boasts a clubhouse that was completely refurbished and partly rebuilt in 2007, with excellent facilities overlooking all 11 courts.

Membership comprises approximately 220 senior members, 200 family members, 270 junior members and around 45 pavilion members who enjoy the additional activities of the bridge club, book club and snooker.

Teresa said that some of the best junior and senior players in the country are currently playing for the club.

“We’re really proud of them,

? she said.

“One of our young members, Zara Ryan, won the National Tennis Championships under 12 in December 2013 – both indoor and outdoor. She also reached three finals in Fitzwilliam (our Wimbledon equivalent) in the summer of 2013 and won two titles.

“As well as Zara, we have a huge amount of great children playing tennis, some seriously aiming to achieve success on the Irish circuit (and even beyond), and others just for the fun of it.

“We have 400 juniors in our coaching programme which is led by our head of coaching, Alan Beaddie.

“Alan, ably assisted by a team of coaches, works the children hard in coaching but they have a great time.

“The senior tennis is the same in that we have some of the best players in the country and we play at every level in all of the Dublin Lawn Tennis Council leagues.

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Teresa said she doesn’t have a competitive bone in her body but plays doubles three nights a week.

“I absolutely love it,

? she stated.

“We have a great social atmosphere at the club also.

“This year we have put a social committee in place and promise some great events as well as some to mark the local Millennium (Battle of Clontarf).

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One of these events will be organised in conjunction with Sutton Tennis Club, with 176 tennis players taking part and aiming to raise

?¬20,000 for St Francis Hospice, Raheny.

Clontarf Lawn Tennis Club is open for membership. If interested in joining, contact secretary Eithne Cairney on 01-8339782 any Monday to Friday morning.