Welcome to the International Club of Canada
"Hands across the net, friendship across the ocean "

Welcome to the International Club of Canada

Aims of the International Lawn Tennis Club of Canada

To promote friendship and sportsmanship in tennis between Canada and other countries by hosting tennis events with other IC countries and supporting tennis development in Canada by providing mentorship for young tennis players.

The first meeting of Active Members of the International Lawn Tennis Club of Canada was held at the Albany Club in Toronto on Wednesday, August 11, 1965, at 12.30 p.m. Laird Watt, the first president of the Club, was unable to attend and Gilbert Nunns chaired the meeting. In addition to Gilbert those attending the meeting in person or by proxy were familiar names in Canadian tennis history: Peter Barnard, John Bassett, Bob Barnard, François Godbout, Bruce Harrison, Sydney Hermant, Jim Macken, Harry Marpole and Walter Martin. Don Fontana, captain of the Club, agreed to approach the I.C. of the USA for a match in 1966. There were discussions of a black tie dinner, a match against a touring team from England and plans to participate in I.C. matches in Holland. The Canadian I.C. was up and operating. It had officially received “International Club” recognition just six weeks before, at the annual meeting of the Council of I.C.’s held each year during the fortnight of Wimbledon. It joined thirteen other nations with International Clubs, all existing with a common interest in the game of tennis.

The annual match with the USA Club has been the main regular event of the Club since that time, with matches alternating each year between the Donalda Club and various locations in the USA. The Piping Rock Club on Long Island, The Merion Cricket Club in Philadelphia, The West Side Tennis Club on Long Island. In 1971 the matches were divided in an open event competing for the Proctor Cup and a seniors event for the new Lawrence Baker Trophy. Women’s matches were included in the late 90’s and starting in the year 2000 teams will play for the Carole Graebner Trophy. 

There is no doubt that tournaments for the Windmill, Christiane Mercelis, and Columbus Trophies represent the highlights of the I.C. Movement. On these occasions many of the now 42 International Clubs meet in team competition. In these tournaments old friendships across the net and across the nations are renewed, and new ones made. Equally enjoyable are the I.C. Tours where teams of I.C. players tour other countries at the invitation of their I.C.’s, or host visiting teams.

This brief review of the Club’s history would not be complete without an expression of gratitude to the spirit behind the creation of the I.C. Club of Canada, the Late Bruce Harrison and those who have served on the Club’s executive, particularly its presidents: Laird Watt, Walter Martin, John Proctor, Jim Skelton, Frank Mott-Trille, Brian Flood and David Dimmer.

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IC Council News

December 2021
Highlights from IC India

Highlights from IC India

The IC of India share their 2019 - 2021 highlights and a reminder of their Mission and Goals.

Vision

Be, and be recognized as, the most progressive chapter of the Council of International Lawn Tennis Clubs.

Mission

Promote and develop tennis in India by keeping ‘The ICs’ core values integrated in all activities.

Goals

Institutionalise the India chapter to become a strong interconnected community of members and partners that work cohesively to promote and develop tennis in India.

Strategy

  1. Implement a calendar of activities for all members to engage through the year, physically and online.

  2. Conduct a robust domestic tour for IC members across India. The tour serves as a platform for members to compete and engage with new prospective members who may be invited for membership.

  3. Recognise and felicitate the achievements of former and present tennis players who persevered against all odds to put India on the global tennis map..

  4. Support tennis for development programs that enhance the lives of young people from disadvantaged backgrounds.

  5. Work with the All India Tennis Association in helping top juniors realise their potential and play at the professional level.

Top 5 highlights shared with all members as part of Annual General Meeting report (2019-21)

  1. Domestic Tour
    • A total of 5 weekend events were conducted in Delhi, Allahabad (Prayagraj), Mumbai, Chennai and Bangalore.
    • Participation of over a 100 IC members and local players.
  2. Felicitation of former and current tennis players
    • Jasjit Singh, former India Davis Cup player, achieved career high world ranking of 89 in 1974.
    • Ramanathan Krishnan, former India Davis Cup player. Career high world ranking of 6 in amateur rankings. Led India to the Davis Cup finals in 1966 against Australia. Non-playing captain of the 1974 Davis Cup team that reached the finals against South Africa.
    • Jaidip Mukerjea, former India Davis Cup player, achieved career high world ranking of 120 in 1974. Part of the team which reached the Davis Cup final for the first time in 1966. Played 97 Davis Cup matches for India.
    • Rohan Bopanna, India Davis Cup player, achieved career high world doubles ranking of 3 in 2013. Member of India Davis Cup team since 2002. Winner of the 2017 French Open mixed-doubles title with Gabriela Dabrowski becoming the fourth Indian player to win a Grand Slam title.
  3. Supporting top ranked juniors

    • Sent a team to Hong Kong of top 2 Indian Under 16 ranked girls and boys with a Manager/Coach for the Asia / Oceania IC Junior Challenge in July 2019.

    • Tennis clinics to promote tennis conducted in Prayagraj, Mumbai and Bangalore.

    • Support to Sagar Kumar, a top 25 ranked junior from a low income background during his travel for the nationals.

  4. Philanthropy

    • Supporting Delhi based initiative, EduTennis of teaching life skills through tennis to government school children.

    • Equipment and monetary donations made by several members.

    • Site visits by Executive Committee members.

  5. Online engagement

    • Member participation in the longest rally challenge to celebrate and support EduTennis’ celebrations of April 6, UN Day for Sport Development and Peace. Members recorded their videos of doing a self rally and uploaded it on social media.

    • President and Regional Vice President. North participated as speakers in EduTennis’ first year virtual celebrations on ZOOM.

2021-22 IC India Executive Committee

  1. President: Mr. Nandan Bal

  2. Honorary Secretary: Mr. Jaideep Bhatia

  3. Honorary Treasurer: Mr. Vikram Anand

  4. Regional Vice Presidents: North - Mr. Sanjeev Kassal, South - Mr. Ramesh Krishnan, East - Mr. Jaidip Mukerjea, West - Mr. Rajesh Batra

  5. 2021-22 Executive Committee members: Ms. Shivika Burman, Ms. Sohini Kumari, Mr.. Deepak Bhargava, Mr. Nitin Joshi, Cdr. RI Singh (Retd.), Mr. Charu Sharma, Mr. Aditya Khanna.

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