THE OFFICIAL SITE OF THE ONTARIO TENNIS ASSOCIATION

Mission & History

 

Mission Statement

The Ontario Tennis Association promotes participation in tennis as part of a healthy lifestyle and encourages  the pursuit of excellence for all players.

History

The roots of the OTA date back to 1890, when the first official Canadian men’s singles championships was played at the Toronto Lawn Tennis Club, September 2nd to 6th, with American E.E. Tanner of Buffalo, NY, taking the title.

The Ontario Tennis Association was founded at a meeting of tennis enthusiasts in Barrie, in 1918, as the Ontario Lawn Tennis Association. Colonel Blackstock, Jack Boys, Garnet Meldrum and Jack Little, all well known tennis figures, were present. In 1919, the first Annual General Meeting was held and Blackstock was elected the association’s first president.

In 1974, the OTA established ten regions throughout the province to administrate tennis programs at the local level and coordinate their own individual boards.

The following is a list of Past Presidents of the OTA:

1919

Colonel Blackstock

1979-82

Jim Lewis

1920-47

Jack Little,
Walter Burns,
Ed Condon,
Mel Brock

1982-84

Steve Stevens

1948-52

Jack Little

1985-86

James Varley

1953-56

J. Stafford, H. Beck

1987-89

Gus Daal

1956-58

Lorne Main

1990-93

Tony Schafer

1958-59

Jim Bentley

1994-95

Oluf Lauridsen

1959-61

Frank Dimock

1995-99

Pam Olley

1961-62

Roy Mansell

1999-2001

Stan Hannaford

1962-66

Zouch Palmer

2001-05

Malcom Still

1966-70

Ross Brown

2005-07

Keith Porter

1970-73

Lawrence Strong

2007-2012

Michel Lecavalier

1973-76

Klaus Bindhardt

2012-2016

Scott Fraser

1976-79

Dieter Wolff

2017-Present

Rob Nicholls

 

 
 
 
 
OTA Instagram New article on ONTennis.ca from Scott Langdon: An exhaustive list of tennis media (books & film) and simple exercises to perform... while seated🛋️ Anything we missed? 🤔 Link below + in bio! 🔗: http://ontennis.ca/articles/2021/couchtennis21.html

OTA Instagram #AD New OTA partner @ThingsEngraved is pleased to offer a 15% introductory discount on any gift item, including Valentine’s Day gifts at www.thingsengraved.ca . Use promo code LoveTEOTA-15 when ordering. Things Engraved is Canada’s premier gifting company. It specializes in personalized gifts, such as engraved and embroidered items for all occasions. Happy shopping! #partnership #giftguide #valentinesday #engravinggifts #shopcanadian

OTA Instagram NEW article on ONTennis.ca (Link below ⬇️ ): We take a look at what it’s like to be a tennis official! As competitive tennis grows, there will be more demand than ever. Read about how some of Canada’s most senior officials got started...We also provide insight, guidelines and contact information for anyone who might want to give tennis officiating a try! 🔗 : http://ontennis.ca/articles/2021/GameSetMatch21.html Enjoy!

OTA Instagram Thanks to our communities, @CapitalKidsTennis was nominated under the category of Ottawa's Best Youth Sports Program for the 2021 Ottawa Awards by Faces Magazine (@facesOttawa)! Voting ends Jan 30th...check out link in bio! **This program would not have been possible without @ONTrillium @NCTA.ca and @cityofottawa. Thanks to their support, Capital Kids has been able to introduce tennis to kids/teens from diverse Ottawa neighbourhoods in a safe, fun environment. We hope to be back on the court soon. Please stay safe!

OTA Instagram NEW article on ONTennis.ca: Competitive Seniors Tennis 🎾Poised for Growth by Scott Langdon 🔗 (Link in bio!) http://ontennis.ca/articles/2020/competitiveseniors20.html

OTA Instagram The latest @ ONTennis.ca 🎾💻 we dive into the history of #Yonex from its beginnings as the Yoneyama Corporation in Japan in the 1950’s to its present-day status as a global sports super-brand! The OTA is proud to welcome Yonex as the Official Racquet and String of the Association. 🔗 Link in bio to read the full story. Enjoy!

OTA Instagram Read our latest story from @max_gao in which he talks to pros @rolandgarros - See what @rafaelnadal, @geniebouchard, @petra.kvitova, @denis.shapovalov, & @gabydabrowski have to say about how their lives have changed on and off court during the pandemic. (Link to story in bio and below đź”— ) : http://ontennis.ca/articles/2020/pandemicTennis20.html

OTA Instagram #tbt As all municipalities now allow doubles play across Ontario, enjoy this backspin read on doubles team chemistry. 🔗 : ontennis.ca/articles/2020/DoubleDreamTeam_2013.html 📸 : @jagphotography #backspin #getonthecourt

OTA Instagram Beloved Canadian tennis star Bruno Agostinelli Jr. passed away tragically in 2016 at the age of 28. His younger brother Gianluca lovingly remembers his brother in this tribute story. Gianluca tells us about Bruno’s wonderful accomplishments as a junior, college and Davis Cup star and about how he inspired the next generation as an elite coach at Tennis Canada. But, more than that, he shares what it meant to be Bruno’s brother and how he was inspired by Bruno in tennis and in life… and still is. After stepping away from the sport, Gianluca was drawn back to it as a way of coming to terms with Bruno’s passing and to feel close to him once again. Read about Bruno’s incredible legacy: http://ontennis.ca/articles/2020/StringsAttached.html

OTA Instagram NEW POD ALERT! 🎙️ In this special edition of the ONTENNIS Podcast presented by Mayfair Clubs, we speak with the OTA’s President and CEO Jim Boyce about the effects of COVID-19 on tennis in the province. Jim discusses how the tennis landscape has changed since the pandemic and what measures the OTA’s member clubs and their members will face as they attempt to re-open safely. In a dynamic, ever-changing environment, Jim talks about the OTA’s role, the clubs and academies challenges and the responsibilities and directions outlined by the various levels of government that will shape the way tennis is played as we return to the courts! To listen to this episode now, visit one of the podcast apps below 🔗: Soundcloud: http://ow.ly/BLdh50zOybL Apple Podcasts: https://cutt.ly/ZyO9oCj Stitcher: https://cutt.ly/oyO9pV6 Google Podcasts: https://cutt.ly/wyO9aFP

OTA Instagram Congrats to @mattross96 for being last week’s #playtennisathome winner and receiving a gift card from @merchanttennis 🎾 A new winner will be drawn at the end of the week...remember to tag @merchanttennis and @ontariotennisassociation and get those videos in! Good Luck! (Open to Canadian residents only) Contest details 🔗: merchantoftennis.com/pages/playing-tennis-at-home-contest

OTA Instagram Mayfair Clubs is running a fun colouring contest for you and the kids to showcase your artistic skills & relieve some stress! Five lucky winners will receive a GIANT TENNIS BALL! 🎾 Colouring sheets are created and designed by the talented Carol Gouveia @carolinnegouveia from the Mayfair Clubs marketing team. ***Go to link in @mayfairclubs bio for Contest details and downloadable colouring sheets. Contest ends May 20th. Happy colouring!🖍