Issue link: http://itf.uberflip.com/i/560492
ITFWORLD SUMMER 2015 33 www.itftennis.com A SHARED HERITAGE I n 1996, Juan Maria Tintore, then President of the Real Club de Tennis Barcelona 1899, had the idea of bringing together tennis clubs that shared over 100 years of history. The Centenary Tennis Clubs Association (CTC) was founded by eight European clubs later that year, and in the 19 years since, the organisation has grown considerably and is now truly global, with 68 member clubs spread across six continents. Each member club enjoys special privileges, such as the right to take part in CTC competitions. Last year was the busiest year yet for the organisation, with a record number of events held throughout 2014, including the first-ever CTC competition to be staged in South America. The CTC senior competitions are among the highlights of the CTC's sporting activities. These are usually group events, with mixed teams of male and female players. The longest-running of these is the European event, which sees qualifying groups attempt to earn a spot in the 'Winners' Group', won last year by the team from TC Parioli of Rome, which emerged triumphant after a hard-fought final against Real Club de Tenis Barcelona 1899. A growing variety of junior events, player exchanges, continental championships and special events are also staged each year, which provide member clubs with unique opportunities to travel and compete, creating lasting friendships through sport. While the CTC's European competition groups hold well-established slots on the tournament calendar, those in other regions are growing fast. CTC South American and South African competitions are scheduled to be held in 2015, and Royal King's Park of Australia is planning to launch the International Shield, a new inter- continental championship, next January. For further information contact: Juan M. Tintore, Honorary President, Real Club de Tenis Barcelona 1899 and President, Centenary Tennis Clubs Association Berta Tintore, General Secretary, Centenary Tennis Clubs Association Telephone: +34 93 203 7852 Fax: +34 93 2045010 Email: info@centenarytennisclubs.com www.centenarytennisclubs.org www.facebook.com/centenarytennisclubs The CTC has offices in Barcelona and its headquarters are located at the Olympic Museum in Lausanne, Switzerland. The organisation is officially recognised by the ITF and Tennis Europe. The CTC is proud to count upon the support of principal partner EFG International, which also supports the future of tennis with its own junior tennis programme. Many hundreds of clubs around the world are eligible to join the Association, which is constantly looking to unify clubs that are not only more than 100 years old but also have a significant sporting tradition and make a contribution to their local communities. The long-term goal of the CTC is to continue the traditions of tennis through the activities of its members by staging sporting and cultural exchanges, tennis events and by maintaining the spirit and values of fair play and solidarity inherent in every sport. The Centenary Tennis Clubs Association is an umbrella group of clubs which are more than 100 years old. Recognised and supported by the ITF, the organisation's member clubs also have a significant sporting tradition and social role. ITFWORLD SUMMER 2015 33 www.itftennis.com The team from TC Parioli of Rome, winners of the 2014 CTC Seniors Competition in Barcelona, with CTC President Juan M. Tintore far left Players from the 2014 CTC UK and Ireland Friendly Seniors Club Challenge, held in Carrickmines, Dublin