Tennis: Clive club doyen sees stars on a night of surprises

Clive Tennis Club stalwart Colleen McIntyre felt a little rushed when she got an invitation to Tennis New Zealand's annual awards function in Auckland last weekend.

But McIntyre responded to the challenge. Two days after receiving the invitation she was on her way.

"I'm glad I did ... it was a wonderful occasion," she said.

Not only did she receive free travel and accommodation, she travelled home with the Gold Medal award for the club with the best increased membership.

During the 2010-11 season the Clive club which McIntyre has worked so tirelessly for since 1983 increased its membership by 50 per cent to 99.

"We have highs and lows like all clubs. After having one midweek ladies interclub team the previous season we had five during the season just gone as well as a mixed reserve grade interclub team," said McIntyre.

The function was held at the Harbourside Floating Restaurant.

"I've never seen anything like it. There was a big screen and while everybody ate their entree there were photos I took of the Clive club during our Mini Wimbledon tournament on the big screen.

"I met Jeff Simpson, who was made a life member of Tennis New Zealand, as well as others from the who's who of the sport," said McIntyre, who was involved with St Brigids club in Feilding before moving to Hawke's Bay.

During her time in Auckland McIntyre caught up with Gordon Myer who was a president of the Clive club in the mid-1980s. "I was happy to tell him the club was in good heart."