History

Our Foundations

Tennis Coaches Australia (TCA) was founded in 1956 to support the development of coaches and the game of tennis in Victoria. During an historic meeting at Kooyong Lawn Tennis Club in February 1956, the Professional Tennis Association Victoria (PTAV) was established by six distinguished pioneers: Frank Sedgman (1st President), Ian Occleshaw, Kevin Parker, Don Tregonning, Keith Rogers, and Keith Harrison. These pioneers set the values, standards, and pathways for an association dedicated to the development of tennis coaches and the game of tennis across Victoria.

During the 1960s, two well-established tennis coaching schools in Victoria operated in strong competition with one another: the Melbourne School of Tennis, run by Ian Occleshaw and Don Tregonning, and the Victorian School of Tennis, managed by Chas Wilson, Bill Bailey, Arthur and Alf Rogers, Les Moss, Ron Carter, and others. Coaches of this era wore long cream trousers, and as Norm Cahill (TCA Legend) fondly recalls, meetings between the LTAV, Lawn Tennis Association Victoria, and PTAV were highlights: "Neither would give in."

A joint board, The Lawn Tennis Professional Association Australia (LTPAA), also existed, consisting of Neil Guiney, Ron Cummins, Keith Rogers, John Hillebrand, Vic Connell, and Norm Cahill. These meetings were held frequently and sometimes went until 3:00 AM, leaving the passionate and sociable members mentally exhausted for the next day's work.

View Norm Cahill’s Historical Account

The Name Change and the 50th Anniversary

In 1973, the PTAV changed its name to Tennis Coaches Australia Victoria (TCAV) and furthered the history and spirit of the founding members. To celebrate 50 years of dedication and excellence, TCAV marked this milestone in 2006 with the inaugural induction of 12 Hall of Fame Coaches.

Held at Kooyong Lawn Tennis Club, TCAV announced 12 revered and respected coaches, selected by a sub-committee with formal approval from the Board of Management. These coaches were inducted under specific criteria and their names inscribed onto the TCAV Honour Board.

The inaugural inductees were:

These inductees are considered first-generation professional coaches, whose contributions helped to create Australia’s "golden era of tennis" and who, through their remarkable commitment to tennis coaching, pioneered and trailblazed the way for coaches today and in the future. Over the next 50 years, many more coaches will meet such criteria, and each year, TCA members, both past and present, will have the opportunity to nominate their peers and colleagues to join the ranks of the inaugural Hall of Fame inductees.

TCA Legends

In 2008, TCA inducted our first TCA Legend, Ian Occleshaw followed by Don Tregonning in 2009 and Norman F Cahill in 2011. Legend status is chosen and awarded by the TCA Board for significant contribution to TCA and the game of tennis for over a period of 40 years of more.

Honouring TCA Legends and Our Annual Awards

In 2008, TCA inducted its first TCA Legend, Ian Occleshaw, followed by Don Tregonning in 2009 and Norman F. Cahill in 2011. Legend status is chosen and awarded by the TCA Board for significant contributions to TCA and the game of tennis over a period of 40 years or more.

TCA’s proud tradition of honouring current, past, and future tennis coaching professionals is celebrated each year at the TCA Annual Awards Ceremony. Held at Royal South Yarra or Kooyong Lawn Tennis Club, the awards ceremony provides an opportunity to add to the history of TCA by inducting new members into the Honour Board. Award categories may include:

Hall of Fame
Life Members
Legends
TCA Rising Star
TCA Rookie Coach
TCA Club Coach of the Year (George Gilmour Memorial Trophy)

From 1996 to 2009, TCA also awarded Coach of the Year, which is now awarded by Tennis Australia as part of their Newcombe Medal Awards.

View the Awards

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