SA Catholic Tennis Association (SACTA) has received an encouraging response to a call for past players to attend its centenary celebrations later this year.

Peter McGrath, SACTA vice president, said after an article appeared in The Southern Cross last December many past members had contacted him expressing interest and sharing stories from the past.

“There were many marriages as an outcome of the Catholic tennis parish-based competition,” he said.

“It’s been great to hear some of their stories.”

Archival research has uncovered a report in The Southern Cross on November 3 1922 which noted the formation of SACTA and the appointment of Archbishop Spence as patron. It listed the clubs involved: St Saviours, Hindmarsh, Ellangowan, St Peters; Keswick Catholic; Coreeil, Thebarton; Goodwood Catholic; and Rosary, Prospect.

The association’s honour board has the first president listed for 1921-22, suggesting that there was an informal or affiliated association operating prior to the official formation in 1922.

A get-together is planned for the association’s West Beach headquarters on a weekend in late November.

There will also be a cocktail function at the Lockleys Hotel on Saturday October 23 for Xavier Tennis Club’s 50th anniversary.

People who have played for parish clubs or the Xavier Tennis Club should contact Peter McGrath at westbeachtennisclub@gmail.com or phone 0401 122 649.