Rietondale Tennis Club was established in 1949. In those early days, two clay courts were provided by the municipality. At that time, the club had around 15 to 20 members. The founding members were Olive Walder, Mavis Klopper, Dixie Coetzee, and Louw Klopper. The club was known for being welcoming to children who wanted to play tennis. The two ladies, Tannie Mavis and Auntie Olive, were affectionately referred to as the "tennis aunties."

In 1955, a wooden clubhouse was built, and in 1960, it was replaced with a brick clubhouse. Over time, four additional courts were added. The club also consolidated five tennis courts from two adjacent clubs that closed down. Since then, the club has grown to occupy a total of 11 courts. The two courts adjacent to Soutpansberg Road were known as the plaasbane.

In the early days there was always a committee member on duty on Saturday afternoons, sacrificing his/her own tennis that afternoon, arranging games and personally welcoming new or uncertain visitors. They explained how the club operated, ensuring that new members felt welcomed. This approach contributed to the club's growth!

Three feel-good stories about dedicated members:

• Sam Fehrsen only began playing tennis at Rietondale Club when he was 60 years old, while his wife, Jenneke, started playing at the age of five. As a result, she was the better player. When Sam turned 70, his children asked him what he wanted for his birthday. He replied, “I’d like tennis lessons at Rietondale Club because it’s not nice to be beaten by your wife.”
• “We started a lady’s group in 1975, playing every Tuesday afternoon and we still play every Tuesday afternoon (now almost 50 years!), but we also party together at the club with each one’s birthday and every December we also ‘eat out’ to celebrate and end the year... a strong social, supportive group!”
• Forty-plus years ago Rietondale Tennis Club was one of the strongest clubs in Pretoria. The club won many leagues. Willie Blaauw, Frik Groenewald, Tertia van Dyk and others won many titles at that time.

The newspaper article of 1965 reported that the Rietondale Club's junior tennis championships had become the largest event of its kind in the capital. The club boasted a membership of 120 junior players and even had a waiting list! A photograph taken at the tournament featured children taking part.

Chairpersons over the years have included M. Ebersohn, Bokkie van der Merwe, Donovan Korsten, Chris Viljoen, Eddie Harvey, Jannie Kruger, Lucas Gelderblom, Conrad le Roux, Mike van Wyk, J.W. Stodardt, and currently, Natie Smit.

It is fitting to pay tribute to players who have been part of the Rietondale Tennis Club and have achieved notable successes during their tennis careers. The three players to be highlighted are Anita (Summers) Van Deventer, Marianna Brummer, and Gareth Williams.

Anita grew up in Rietondale and began playing tennis at the Rietondale Tennis Club at the age of eight. She quickly started winning junior Northern tournaments. In 1968, she was awarded Springbok colours. Anita also had the opportunity to compete internationally, with her most significant achievement being reaching the round of 32 at Wimbledon in 1969.

 Marianna Brummer received Springbok colours in 1970 after reaching the quarter-finals at the South African Open Championships.

 In the early 2000s, Gareth Williams was a Doubles Finalist at both Junior Wimbledon and the French Open, as well as a Doubles Champion at Junior US Open. His highest singles ranking was #667, while his highest doubles ranking was #179.

In 2010, Jannie Kruger, chairman, and the management successfully secured Lotto funding on two occasions to extend the clubhouse and resurface several of the courts. The Mountain Club of South Africa (Magaliesberg Section) entered into an agreement with the tennis club to utilise some of the facilities.

To serve the club members and the community, the club established the Kiewiet Conference Facility. The clubhouse, stoep, and braai facilities are also available to rent for functions.

In 2023, the club expanded with the welcome addition of the Rietondale Pickleball Club. The tennis club's practice wall was converted into two pickleball courts. In June 2023, Rietondale Pickleball secured an annual renewable lease from Tshwane for two old blue courts located west of courts 7 and 8. These courts were refurbished and converted into eight pickleball courts. This brings the total number of courts to ten, allowing the club to accommodate 40 players at a time. Currently, the club has approximately 80 members.

The most recent development in the Rietondale tennis precinct is the construction of the Rietondale Padel Park (RPP). During a special general meeting in January 2024, the club voted in favour of entering into an agreement with an investor for the construction of four padel courts. As a result, the RPP was established, featuring the first padel courts in the Moot, along with a dedicated padel shop. Additionally, the area between the padel courts and the tennis club has been beautified with new lawns and shrubs, creating a more attractive space.

In 2024, Rietondale Tennis changed its name to Rietondale Tennis & Recreation. This change aims to manage tennis and various other sporting activities within the club’s facility to better serve the interests of its members and the community. Current partners include the Mountain Club of South Africa, the Chess Club, Pilates, Run and Walk for Life, the Rietondale Pickleball Club, and Rietondale Padel Park.

To promote participation in social tennis and friendly competition, the club launched the popular Structured Social Play program in 2021. Additionally, the I-Club was established specifically to support beginners with informal coaching sessions aimed at building confidence in a welcoming environment.

Rietondale Tennis and Recreation has served as a welcoming venue for tennis players and their families for many decades. The club has adapted to changing times and is committed to continue thriving as one of the most popular sports venues in Pretoria.

 

Dr Eddie Harvey

Long-standing member of the club

15 December 2024