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

June 2020
Covid-19: Events update

Covid-19: Events update

We hope that you, and those closest to you are keeping safe and well in such unprecedented and uncertain times. Communications will be an important way of managing this crisis and coming together as an IC Community, as always.

The health, safety and well-being of our members is always our top priority. Therefore, we’ve unfortunately had to cancel or postpone a number of events. The cancelled IC Council-supported events this year include so far:

The IC Celebratory Legends Event in South Africa - postponed to 2021
The Potter Cup in Barcelona - 2020 event cancelled. Further information on 2021 event to follow.
The CQS IC June event in Prague (4 nations) - 2020 event cancelled. Further information on 2021 event to follow.
IC Canada Celebratory Event - event cancelled
IC Rod Laver Junior Challenge Worldwide Finals - Postponed until 2021 - further information to follow.
 

Please look out for the notices that host ICs are sending out to you about their events.

Major tennis events, some with which we have been associated closely for nearly 100 years, are also being changed or cancelled. We will adjust our calendar to the changes of other major tennis events.

The AGM will take place via a Zoom meeting on Sunday 5th July - further information to follow.  The EC Meeting at Roland-Garros will move to September. 

Many of our IC of Japan members have been very engaged in the preparations for the now postponed 2020 Olympic Games. We look forward to Tokyo hosting the Olympics in 2021.

Please continue to check back here for further updates.

1st June 2020

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