How it all started......

It was in May 1981 that Lesley Ronaldson, British champion at the time, was in conversation with Alan Lovell, then Chairman of the T&RA. Lesley, like wives often do, was waiting outside a rain sodden marquee while her husband was taking part in a Men's Tournament at Moreton Morrell. Alan said: "Have you thought of starting a Ladies Association? You would have the blessing of the T&RA." My goodness, Lesley needed no further encouragement.

A draft Constitution, based on that of the Professionals, was presented at a Ladies Handicap Tournament at Moreton Morrell in October 1981 and was unanimously adopted. I'm happy to say I was one of the voters. The LRTA was on its way and by January 1982 we had elected our Officers and were on our own.

There were, of course, only a handful of women playing the game then, a phrase I find constantly turning up when reading about the early days, but true nevertheless. Today we organise and administer all our own Tournaments, World (when in the U.K.) and National, take part in Mixed Tournaments and Matches, stage Courses and Bursaries for beginners and young players. Our Membership grows steadily, there are now lady Professionals a definite landmark in our progress and involvement in the game. Our Chairman is on the Council of the T&RA, on the T&RA Tennis committee and we have representatives on several of the sub-Committees of the T&RA. And apart from all that, of course, we have lots of male friends on and off the court in the world of Real Tennis!

Going back to that first Committee, elected in January 1982, Lesley Ronaldson served as Chairman for the first 9 years and worked tirelessly and enthusiastically to set us on the right path. Sheila Macintosh, also elected to that first Committee in 1982, took over the Chairmanship, for the next 7 years, and handed over to Sarah McGivern in 1998. Viv Dawes and Alex Garside, founder Members, as Secretary and Treasurer, are still serving our Association after 21 years, although Viv has finally decided to resign after this season.

All of those names will go down in the history of our game as having given great service to our Associations and we, who have benefited and play our games and travel and make new friends, owe them an immense debt of gratitude for the pleasure we get out of playing Real Tennis.

Melvyn Pignon