The 70's

An idea hatched by a group of parents from Great Baddow Tennis Club and in particular a gentleman by the name of John Geere marked the start of the Chelmsford Junior Tennis Association in 1975.

In the beginning there were only the 14 and 16 age groups with only 4 or 5 participating clubs which gave about 5 or 6 teams in each of the Leagues.

Harry Brickwood joined the committee, as secretary, in 1976 and at that time the committee was: John Geere, Paula Candy, both from Great Baddow Tennis Club; Muriel Crook from Basildon Tennis Club; and Harry Brickwood from Rayleigh Tennis Club. Paula was the League Organiser and John was the Chairman.

One of the first things Harry Brickwood did was to meet with Clive Rippon, then owner of Pope & Smith, and as a result of this meeting, over a drink at the Saracens Head, Clive kindly agreed to sponsor the League. Colin Wade took over Pope & Smith some years ago and has generously continued the sponsorship.

The 80's

In the early eighties Muriel Crook to the post of Chairman with committee members from a wide range of clubs: Paula Candy, League Organiser; Brian Ellis from Rayleigh Tennis Club, Treasurer; Peter Hewing from Ongar Tennis Club and Steve Luck from the Steve Luck Squad both Ordinary Members; and Harry Brickwood still  Secretary.

At this time Harry started a mixed doubles winter league for the under 16's, which ran for a number of years. By then the under under 18’s had started - but we're not too sure of the date - and Brian Ellis, who also ran the Essex County Coaches Association started up the under 12’s. The shields were donated by the Essex County Coaches.

Peter Hewing followed by Steve Luck took over the duties of Chairman during the eighties and then Lesley Pearce came on the scene in the late eighties. Charles Day, from Ongar Tennis Club, took over the duties of treasurer in the mid eighties and he was followed in 1990 by Roger Baker.

The 90's

There were a number of other committee members and one, Louisa French of Billericay Tennis Club, started the Under 10’s individuals in 1995.  Her daughter won the event the next year. Another committee member Mike Bysouth from Mountnessing Tennis Club obtained the sponsorship from Brentwood Sports and thus started the Spring Mixed Doubles Competition.

During the early years the club who hosted the finals ran the individual competition as well.  Harry took over the running of the Individual competition in the mid eighties and has been running them ever since, about 20 years.

The interesting thing with the individuals is the age groups; when we first started we soon realised that to have 12, 14,16 and 18 age groups created too many events.  So we changed format to 13, 15 and 18 which, the LTA has only recently changed to!

The most surprising result In the Individual competition was in 1994 when Chris Rayner, who had won the under 18’s when he was 14,15 and 16, lost in his last year as an under 18 in the semi-final to James Bird.  Both players were from Great Baddow.

The Noughties

The most enthusiastic club organiser has to be Chris Drewe of Grosvenor.  Although, only 16 at the time Chris ran a number of teams - 6 or 7 - and took them to the away matches by train or bus. Chris is still involved in junior tennis; he is the coach at Cranbrook Castle.

John Geere although, no longer involved with the running of the CJTA, presented the prizes for us when the finals were held at Great Baddow in 2002.