Scotch College

The tennis club's early years

In 1922, a group of Old School tennis players originating from the Associated Grammar Schools of Victoria, formed a tennis association, which gave members the opportunity to enjoy regular winter competitive playing.

The association was known as The Grammarians Tennis Association. The competition was graded into sections and worked very successfully.

The Grammarians Tennis Association was enlarged in 1958, by inviting some of the Associated Public Schools, consisting of six schools and later eleven schools, to enter teams.

The Grammarians Tennis Association realised it had a diminishing base for its membership, and it needed the involvement of the Public Schools to continue its active programme.

Invitations were also issued to several of the Associated Catholic Schools and High Schools.

It was not possible for Scotch to enter teams in 1958.

Frank Stuckey a new staff member and old boy of the School who knew and loved tennis recruited only two old boys of the 1959 winter competitions.

Graeme Thomson, the previous year's School champion and Geoff Serle.

However two teams were entered in the Association's B and C sections, and with the help of members of staff, Harold Hill, Frank Paton and himself, together with boys still at school, Richard Piesse and Geoff Giddings and some boarders.

The numbers were made up with Graeme Thomson and Geoff Serle.

Both teams finished in the final fours.

In 1960, sufficient players were recruited from Old Boys, for three teams in A, B and C sections.

Some evergreen names appear on the team listings for A grade, Jack Marx, John Vial, Dennis Lemke, Brooks Jackson, Lachlan McLean and Bert Tonkin.

Three premierships for the Club was the result.

Club Inaugurated in '61

It was not until 1961 that the club was formally inaugurated, and the first recorded annual general meeting of the 6 March 1961 elected an executive:

President - Charles McCracken
Secretary - Frank Stuckey
Treasurer - Jack Marx
Captain - Frank Stuckey

Charles remained as President from 1961 - 67, John Trengrove was Secretary 1962 - 67, Jack Marx remained Treasurer 1961 - 68, while Frank Stuckey was the Club Captain 1961 - 67.

The 'Collegian' in June 1961 first mentioned that: -

'Social tennis was engaged in on Saturday afternoons during the summer.... (and).... with four new courts (Harvey Nicholson courts) we have room for more members.'

Social tennis has remained an important function of the Old Scotch Collegians tennis club ever since. In 1962 the Tennis Club applied to become an affiliated society of the Old Scotch Collegians' Association.

In the meantime prospective new members are invited to contact Neil Scott, the Club Secretary.