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

October 2024
Unity in Competition: A Day of Friendship at the Potter Cup and Two Presidents’ Cup Finals

Unity in Competition: A Day of Friendship at the Potter Cup and Two Presidents’ Cup Finals

The players of the Potter Cup and the Two Presidents Cup showed their commitment to the competition on a Saturday when the finals started two hours behind schedule. After 30 minutes of play, matches were stopped due to heavy rain, and the Potter Cup Committee couldn't determine when play would resume. Matches began again at 7:00 p.m., thanks to the significant efforts of the maintenance team at the RC Polo courts, which allowed the men’s and women’s finals to take place.

Despite the weather, the sixteen international club teams maintained the friendly atmosphere for which the competition is known, continuing a tradition that today counts with 51 years. Defending champions IC Spain triumphed over IC Italy with a score of 4 to 1, using a revised format of one pro set per match. IC Spain's Roberto Menendez, a ten-time world champion, secured a win against Stefano Tarallo with a decisive 9 to 5. Lorenzo Pennisi claimed the only victory for IC Italy, defeating Xavier Llucia 9 to 2. Joining Roberto on the victorious Spanish team were Joaquin Muñoz, Jose M. Vicente, Xavi Llucia, and Eduardo Sanz. In the women’s competition, IC Germany emerged victorious against IC Italy. Manon Kruse, a former world champion, alongside Gitte Muller, defeated Agnesse Zuchini and Annalise Bona of IC Italy in singles with a straightforward 2 to 0 victory.

The event kicked off with a clinic featuring players from various nationalities playing alongside special players from the Federación Acell, reinforcing the social and inclusive mission of the competition. Highlights of the social agenda included dinners at RCTB 1899 and an official dinner at RC Polo. During the latter, Mr. Marco Gilardelli, president of the competition, and Mr. Carlos Homedes, president of the Tennis Section of RC Polo, honored Tournament Director Berta Tintore for her contributions as she plans to retire this year.

The tournament benefitted from the support of several organizations, including the Catalan Tennis Federation, the Real Club de Polo de Barcelona, RCTB 1899, the Barcelona City Hall, Lexus Barcelona, La Llave de Oro, Aon, and Daryd.

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