A Brief History of the LRTA and Ladies’ Tennis in the UK

The idea for a Ladies’ Real Tennis Association (LRTA) emerged in May 1981 during a conversation 
at the Moreton Morrell Tennis Club. Alan Lovell, Chairman of the T&RA Tennis Committee, suggested to British Ladies Champion Lesley Ronaldson that they start an association, leading to the creation of the LRTA. By October 31, 1981, a draft Constitution was adopted, and the LRTA was officially formed.
At the first British Ladies Doubles Tournament in January 1982, Lesley was elected as Chair, with Viv Dawes as Honorary Secretary and Alex Warren-Piper as Honorary Treasurer.

The number of female players steadily grew, and by the 1980s, the first female professionals appeared, including Lesley in England and Helen Mursell in Australia. In 1998, the T&RA invited the LRTA Chair to join its Council, a role later extended to Sarah McGivern in 2009.
Though the LRTA doesn’t have its own courts, it considers Seacourt its home. The British Open, which began in 1978, has been held there for most of its existence. A significant milestone occurred in 2011 when the LRTA celebrated its 30th anniversary during the British Open, establishing a new handicap doubles tournament to allow less experienced players to compete alongside top players.
The LRTA has had strong, stable leadership over the years, with contributions from early committee members like Alex Garside, Viv Dawes, and Sheila Macintosh. Their dedication has been crucial in shaping the organisation, along with former Chair Sarah McGivern, who maintained high standards from the very beginning.


Development of the LRTA and the Ladies’ Game

Ladies’ tennis has evolved significantly since the 1960s, when only a few women played the game, mostly at Queen’s, Seacourt, or Hampton Court. The first British Open in 1978 had just ten entrants, primarily from Seacourt. Recent players like Charlotte Cornwallis and Claire Fahey have brought a faster, more dynamic style to the ladies’ game.
The concept of female professionals is now commonplace, with Susan Castley becoming the first lady to receive the Henry Johns Cup in 2006 for outstanding performance as a young tennis pro. Lesley Ronaldson, the first LRTA Chair, led with enthusiasm, organising key tournaments and securing her place as Britain’s first female professional while winning numerous titles and later in the Tennis Hall of Fame.
Sheila Macintosh succeeded Lesley in 1991, expanding the LRTA’s membership and tournaments, and introducing initiatives like the Mothers and Daughters Tournament and the LRTA International Invitation held every two years. In 1998, Sarah McGivern took over, steering the LRTA toward financial independence from the T&RA and ensuring support for lady professionals, which included prize money in tournaments.
Sarah’s tenure saw the introduction of new tournaments and the establishment of a bursary scheme to nurture young talent. During her leadership, the LRTA improved its communication methods, launching its website and enhancing its newsletter. The 1999 World Championships held at RTC, Hampton Court, was another highlight.
Subsequent Chairs, including Lucy Davies and Alex Garside, continued to build on these foundations. They promoted junior development, with tournaments and coaching clinics, and advocated for the inclusion of lady players in club teams and national competitions.
Today, ladies can compete in over 20 tournaments a year, and there has been a promising increase in the number of young female juniors participating, ensuring a bright future for ladies’ tennis.

1960

A handful of women knew the game and most of those would be playing at Queen’s, Seacourt or Hampton Court.

1978

The British Open is established at Seacourt, which has hosted the event for most of its history. The first Open features ten entrants, primarily from Seacourt.

1980s

The number of female players steadily increases, with the emergence of the first female professionals, including Lesley Ronaldson in England and Helen Mursell in Australia.

1981

May: The idea for a Ladies’ Real Tennis Association (LRTA) is proposed during a conversation at Moreton Morrell Tennis Club. Alan Lovell suggests starting an association to Lesley Ronaldson.

1981

October: A draft Constitution is adopted during a meeting at the British Ladies Singles Handicap Tournament, marking the official formation of the LRTA.

January 16, 1982

1982

At the first British Ladies Doubles Tournament, Lesley Ronaldson is elected as Chair, Viv Dawes as Honorary Secretary, and Alex Warren-Piper as Honorary Treasurer. Sheila Macintosh is elected to the T&RA Tennis Sub Committee.

January 16, 1982

1998 – 2004

Sheila Macintosh takes over as Chair, expanding the LRTA’s membership and tournaments. She introduces the Mothers and Daughters Tournament and the LRTA International Invitation, held every two years.

1998

The T&RA invites the LRTA Chair to join its Council, a role later extended to Sarah McGovern in 2009.

Timeline Heading

Sarah McGivern becomes Chair, steering the LRTA toward financial independence from the T&RA, ensuring support for lady professionals, and introducing a bursary scheme to nurture young talent. The 1999 World Championships are held at RTC, Hampton Court.

2004 – 2007

Lucy Davies serves as Chair, overseeing the LRTA’s 25th Anniversary and the return of the World Championships to Britain in 2007.

2009

Sarah McGivern exchanges roles with Alex Garside, who emphasizes junior development, establishing tournaments for girls under 21 and organizing coaching clinics.

2011

The LRTA celebrates its 30th anniversary during the British Open, launching a new handicap doubles tournament to enable less experienced players to compete alongside top players.

Present

Female players can compete in various tournaments, with increasing participation from young female juniors, ensuring a vibrant future for ladies’ tennis in the UK.

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