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.
Initially only the 17 metropolitan Associations participated in the competition. Over the years the competition has been expanded to include near Country Associations as well as some private Sydney clubs.
The competition now covers an area bounded by Newcastle in the north to Kiama in the south and as far west as the Blue Mountains.
This award was inaugurated in 1947 and awarded to the Association with the highest number of points earned during 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 the Association who held office from 1941 until 1961.
Over the years the winners of the Shield have been:
North West Sydney Tennis (Eastwood Thornleigh) 2023
Tennis Macarthur (Southern Districts) 2001, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2022
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 Interdistrict Competition was cancelled in 2020 and 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The current Interdistrict Competition consists of the following cups:
Interdistrict Cups
Cup |
Category |
Class |
Blackwell |
Men's Open Event |
Open |
Angus & Coote |
Ladies Open Event |
Open |
Twyford-Jones |
Men's 35 years & over |
Seniors |
George Rider |
Men's 35 years & over |
Seniors |
Shea-Wilton |
Men's 35 years & over |
Seniors |
George Fletcher |
Men's 35 years & over |
Seniors |
Life Members |
Men's 50 years & over |
Seniors |
Jack McCall |
Ladies 35 years & over |
Seniors |
Bill Austin |
Ladies 35 years & over |
Seniors |
G G Tremlett |
Boys 18 years & under |
Junior |
D J Ryan |
Girls 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 & Neale |
Girls 14 years & under |
Junior |
McAndrew |
Boys 12 years & under |
Junior |
Crakanthorp |
Girls 12 years & under |
Junior |
Stan Pedersen Cup |
Boys 10 years & under |
Junior |
Harry Beck Cup |
Girls 10 years & under |
Junior |
- Senior men are
to be over 35 years as at 30th September in the competition year. Teams will be graded on assessed ability.
- Open Cups (Blackwell & Angus & Coote) players must be over 15 years of age as at 30th September.
- Senior Ladies are to be over 35 years as at 30th September in the competition year.
- All Juniors shall be under the age requirement as at the 30th September in the competition year.