The Story of Redcliffs Tennis Club - 1884 to 2011
Tennis has been part of the Redcliffs community since 1884. In the early days, matches were played on privately owned courts kindly shared with local residents. It’s recorded that Hon. J. Barr had one of these courts near the current volley board, with an entrance from Estuary or Beachville Road. Another local, Mr. A. Beaven, provided a court at the entrance to Balmoral Lane.
In November 1917, a public meeting was held to formally establish the Redcliffs Tennis Club on these community courts. A year later, the newly formed club paid an annual rent of six pounds to continue playing there. Around this time, Mr. Barr added a second court beside his first and created an entrance from Main Road, while the Balmoral Lane court remained in use.
By 1920, Redcliffs School children were invited to learn and play tennis on the courts, and in 1921, the Club became affiliated with the Canterbury Lawn Tennis Association.
Growth and Development
In 1924, the Club decided to purchase its own land and build a pavilion. With overwhelming community support, funds were raised through fairs and regular card evenings, and both the land purchase and pavilion construction were completed within the year. By acquiring additional strips of nearby land, the courts were reoriented from north–south to east–west, making space for a third court alongside the new pavilion on Main Road. On 1 July 1924, the Redcliffs Tennis Club was officially registered as an Incorporated Society.
The new pavilion became the heart of the Redcliffs community — opening day dances were legendary social occasions. In 1935, the Club made a forward-thinking decision to introduce Junior Membership, enabling children to become members and grow into lifelong players. Few tennis clubs in Christchurch allowed children at that time, a tradition that has helped Redcliffs thrive; by 2017, the Club had around 160 junior members.
Over the years, Redcliffs has produced players who have competed at Wimbledon and others who have become Provincial and New Zealand champions.
Community Spirit Through Hard Times
Records from 1931 show that the Club held fundraising tournaments to support Hawke’s Bay clubs rebuilding their courts after the Napier earthquake.
During wartime, Redcliffs Tennis Club hosted tournaments for staff at the local Redcliffs Field Hospital (based at the school). With rationing in place, the Club needed special coupons just to purchase tea and sugar for afternoon teas. Many men were called to serve, forcing interclub teams to default and bringing an end to the pavilion’s traditional opening dances. Though few specific war records remain, notes from the time refer to women members supporting each other through their losses.
After the war, the old pavilion served the community in a new way — it became the home of the Redcliffs Kindergarten for many years.
Earthquake Recovery and Renewal
The Canterbury earthquakes brought new challenges. The clubhouse survived, but the courts were badly damaged. While repairs were underway, the Redcliffs Library temporarily used the hall for community activities.
Thanks to generous community grants, donations, and the leadership of Dianne France, Calcon Asphalt was contracted to rebuild the three damaged courts at a cost of around $200,000. Temporary courts reopened in May 2013, providing a welcome return to play for dedicated members — especially the midweek ladies’ group, who helped lead the Club’s revival.
By early 2014, the resurfaced courts were completed, and both junior coaching and interclub competition resumed for the 2014/15 season.
In March 2015, at a well-attended prizegiving of about 80 people, members declared that Redcliffs Tennis Club had officially moved from earthquake recovery into a new phase of community growth and tennis development. That spirit of rebuilding — through fundraising, social events, and strong junior and senior programmes — continues to define the Club today.
Redcliffs Tennis Club remains proud of its heritage and of the generations of local players who have kept the game alive since 1884. Its story is one of resilience, community, and enduring love for the sport of tennis.