Slazenger Interdistrict Competition Overview

Origin

Competition between the Metropolitan district Tennis Associations was first conducted in 1921 for the open men and open ladies events.

Perpetual trophies such as the F. O. Blackwell Cup and the Angus & Coote Cup were acquired and competed for in 1921. These Cups have been competed for annually eversince, except for a period during World War II when the competition was suspended.

Other perpetual trophies have been acquired over the years and most are named after past long serving officials of the Hardcourt Association. For example, the G. G.Tremlett Cup was acquired in 1934 and named after Hardcourt’s first President and Life Member; the D. J. Ryan Cup, also acquired in 1934, was named after a foundation member, Executive Office and Life Member of the Association.

Over the years many household name players have represented their Associations in this competition such as John Bromwich, Dinny Pails, Adrian Quist, Lew Hoad, Ken Rosewall, Bill Bowrey, Kim Warwick, John Alexander, Phil Dent, Jan Lehane, Beryl Penrose, Evonne Goolagong, Diane Fromholtz and Lesley Turner - just to name a few.

 

The Participating Associations

Initially only the 17 metropolitan Associations participated in the competition. Over the years invitations have been extended to a number of ‘near country’ Associations as well as the Metropolitan Grasscourts Clubs & Associations to enter teams into the competition.

Apart from the metropolitan Associations, the following Associations/Clubs are eligible to participate in the Interdistrict Competition -

 

THE GEORGE McKERIHAN SHIELD
(Interdistrict Competition Championship Award.)

This award has been made since 1947 to the Association to win the greatest number of points in the Interdistrict Competition. In 1983 a perpetual trophy was acquired for this purpose. In 1988 the trophy was named "The George McKerihan Shield" in memory of a former President of this Association who held office from 1941 to 1961.

In 2008, Southern Districts with 63 points won the shield for the second year running. Eastern Suburbs came in second on 43 points and Illawarra with 32 points was third.

Over the years the winners of the Shield have been:

Southern Districts 2001, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2008
Canterbury Bankstown 1961, 1962, 1964, 1969, 1970, 1971, 1972, 1973
Eastern Suburbs 1950, 1956, 1997, 2004
Gosford 1995
Illawarra Suburbs 1947, 1948, 1953, 1954, 1963, 1965, 1967, 1968, 1974 to 1981, 1984 to 1994, 1996, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2002, 2005
Northern Suburbs 1949, 1951, 1952, 1957, 1959, 1982, 1983.
Sydenham-Bankstown 1955, 1958

 

The 2010 'Slazenger' Interdistrict

The current Slazenger Interdistrict Competition consists of 14 Cups:

2010 Interdistrict Cups

Cup	Category	Class
Blackwell	Mens Open	Open
Angus & Coote	Ladies Open	Open
Life Members	Mens 50 years & over	Senior
George Fletcher	Mens 50 years & over	Senior
Twyford-Jones	Mens 35 years & over	Senior
George Rider	Mens 35 years & over	Senior
Shea-Wilton	Mens 35 years & over	Senior
Tremlett	Boys 18 years & under	Junior
Presidents	Boys 16 years & under	Junior
Irene Matthews	Girls 16 years & under	Junior
Esca Stephens	Boys 14 years & under	Junior
Wade & Neal	Girls 14 years & under	Junior
McAndrew	Boys 12 years & under	Junior
Crakanthorp	Girls 12 years & under	Junior

- Men are to be over 35 years as at 1st June, 2009. Teams will be graded on assessed ability.

- No player younger than 50 years as at 1st June. will be allowed to play in the two lowest divisions.

- Women players to be over 35 as at 1st June 2009. Teams to be graded on assessed ability

 

Dates of Play

The 2010 Interdistrict Competition commences on July 18 (Senior). Semi Finals & Divisional Play Offs are scheduled for the 12th September. Finals are scheduled for the 19th September.