Sport
2 July, 2026
It’s games, sets and matches
SURVIVING World War II, Cyclone Larry and a global pandemic, the Innisfail and District Tennis Association marked its remarkable 100-plus year journey with a celebration which drew more than 150 past and present players, volunteers and supporters.
The milestone honoured a century of resilience, community spirit and sporting passion that has shaped tennis across the district since 1923.
Among the special guests were former club president Sybbie Nucifora, a past Queensland and Tennis Australia board member and recipient of the Australian Sports Medal, along with siblings Billy and Fern Lee Long, Tom Horn from Edge Hill Tennis Club, and Gordon Dilger, builder of the Innisfail clubhouse.
Billy (88) and Fern (90), who travelled from Brisbane, were standout Queensland players in their youth, with Billy training alongside Australian greats Rod Laver, Ken Fletcher, Frank Gorman and Jim Shepherd as part of the Hopman Cup squad.
A highlight of the day was a nostalgic exhibition match featuring Margaret Tinney and Rhonda Valmadre in crocheted white dresses, joined by Tony Snell and Kerry Spollen in traditional whites and wielding wooden racquets, a lively tribute to the sport’s early days in the district.
The association also launched its centenary book, documenting the rich history of tennis in the region from 1923 to 2026.
People enjoyed looking through the extensive memorabilia display that showcased decades of newspaper articles, historic photographs, meeting minutes, trophies and artefacts, paying tribute to generations of volunteers and players who built the club’s legacy.
Life membership was awarded to Leon Awee, Elaine Harrison (the association’s first lady president) and Gordon Dilger, who together have contributed more than 40 years of volunteer service.
They trio had the honours of cutting a special centenary cake made by club member Kris Pierantozzi.
Representatives from Tennis Queensland Ryan Coffey, Matt Angel and Michael Blomer presented the club with a framed 2026 Brisbane International poster signed by Aryna Sabalenka, Novak Djokovic, Nick Kyrgios and Emma Navarro.
Formed in 1923, the association began with five courts and a modest clubhouse.
Despite the challenges of Innisfail’s wet climate and the upkeep of grass and dirt courts, interclub matches began the same year.
Over time, the facility expanded to nine courts, seven now under lights, with the current clubhouse built entirely through volunteer labour and donations in 1976-77.
The club has welcomed many coaches over the decades, with Wayne Fielder serving the longest tenure from 2008 to 2020.
Since 2024, Labor Konicek has taken on the coaching role.
The sport of pickleball also found a home at the club in 2023, led by elite-level coach Ron Neyenhuis.
Assistant secretary and long-time volunteer for 41 years Kathy Martin, said the celebrations were 18 months in the making. “My research for the book uncovered so many surprises about the sheer amount of volunteer work that made this club what it is today,” she said.