One of the unique aspects of being a Parnell Lawn Tennis Club (PLTC) member is the privilege of reciprocal access to some of the world’s most prestigious tennis clubs. This is not something that every club can offer—it is a mark of PLTC’s standing in the global tennis community and a testament to our rich history and reputation.

For many years, we have proudly maintained elite reciprocal arrangements with Kooyong Lawn Tennis Club in Melbourne (the iconic spiritual home of Australian tennis) and Fitzwilliam Lawn Tennis Club in Dublin (One of Europe’s most historic tennis institutions and home to the Irish Open).

Building on this strong tradition, PLTC has now been accepted into the exclusive Association of Centenary Tennis Clubs (CTC)—a prestigious group of 90 historic tennis clubs across 25 countries. Membership is reserved for clubs with a history of over 100 years and a significant role in their region’s tennis culture.

This means you now have access to an extraordinary network of the world’s most iconic clubs, including:

• The Queen’s Club (UK)
• Monte Carlo Country Club (Monaco)
• Real Club de Tenis (Spain)
• Le Tir (France)
• West Side Tennis Club (USA)
   

See the complete list at https://centenarytennisclubs.org/member-clubs/

How You Can Enjoy These Privileges

If you’re travelling and would like to visit a CTC or reciprocal club, request a letter of introduction from our Manager, Feleti Sofele. This must be arranged at least one week before, as each club has its guest policies. Contact Feleti at manager@pltc.co.nz or 021 896 620.

The Value to PLTC and Our Members

Joining CTC required an initial investment of $3,600 NZD, with an annual fee of $1,800 NZD to maintain membership. However, the prestige, access, and experiences this provides our members are invaluable. We are committed to maintaining these special privileges and will run fundraising initiatives to support the ongoing membership. Proceeds from the recent Michael Venus Invitational event, sponsored by Working Style, have been used to fund our entry fee.

At PLTC, we are proud to offer more than just a place to play tennis—we provide access to an exclusive global tennis network. Whether travelling abroad or welcoming international players to our courts, we encourage you to take advantage of this extraordinary benefit.

We look forward to seeing you on the courts—both here in Parnell and, perhaps, one day, at one of the world’s great tennis clubs.

The PLTC Committee

Article added: Wednesday 19 February 2025