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.

News & Results

12
View all news & results >>

IC Council News

August 2021
Back in action at the Robert Abdesselam Trophy

Back in action at the Robert Abdesselam Trophy

Everybody was happy that the Royal Tennis Club of Liège was preserved out of the major floods that happened in the city a week before.

From Thursday 28th to Saturday 31st of July, the Robert-Abdesselam Trophy gathered the founding competition ICs (Belgium, Spain and France) and the IC of Luxemburg as IC guest. The Presidents of the ICs of Belgium and Luxemburg, Michel de Marneffe and Pierre Kurt, both played for their respective team. IC of Spain President, Berta Tintore, was also at the event.

For a year and a half, it was the very first IC meeting for all of these four European ICs and everybody was thrilled to meet up again. All matches were played in the nicest IC spirit and the IC of France finally defeated the hosting IC to hold the Robert-Abdesselam Trophy for the third time in a row. The IC of Luxemburg finished 3rd and Spain 4th.

As usual, the IC of Belgium provided a friendly welcome and a warm hospitality to all the participants. A big thank you goes to them. Attached is the full list of results and you can find more information on the IC of Belgium website and some pictures here - le lien vers l'album photo https://photos.app.goo.gl/ecmGYsvvJLL2oD7R6

Previous Article Vosloorus Development Programme, IC South Africa
Next Article IC Brazil recommences activities
View more >>

Tennis Websites