Rothes LTC

Tennis  has been played in Rothes since 1883 when it was a joint enterprise with the croquet club. A newspaper article stated that the single court was situated in the Doonie area: presumably the bit known as the 'Croquet Green'

In 1889 new courts were opened in Green Street. Both local newspapers, the Northern Scot and Courant, covered the event (the articles are on display on the notice board). Three grass courts plus a cinder one were laid.

Over the years the cinder one disappeared and one of the grass courts also went. The surface was changed to blaize in the 1950s and subsequently tarred.

In the late 1960s/early 1970s the Town Council decided that houses were to be built oon the land surrounding the remaining courts. The subsequent plan to build more houses, this time on the Green Street end of the courts, spelt the end for the club in Green Street.

The council had decided that two replacement courts were to be laid in the recreation park. The work was carried out in October 1973.  One big problem faced by the committee was that the Council had the old pavilion demolished but refused to build a replacement at the new location. The reorganisation of Local Government did not help. Moray District Council did not accept that it had any responsibility to build one. Finally, however, in 1979, the Council offered to provide an unused building. The club accepted and work was started on converting it internally. A Water supply was installed and a sewerage system was put in.

League matches (which at that time required teams of six) and increased numbers using the facility forced the club to add a third court in 1981. The three courts have been resurfaced twice since then (1989 & 2008).

The official opening of the Clubhouse and new court was held on 25th July 1982. Councillor Eddie Aldridge, who was instrumental in getting the Council to see sense on the clubhouse, was the guest for the evening.

In 1989 the committtee decided that the original two courts needed resurfacing. We received Financial Assistance (50%) from the Scottish Sports Council. However, in order to qualify for the Grant, the club required a lease for a period of at least 25 years. A 50 year lease was negotiated, starting from 14th June 1989. Moray District Council agreed to also provide a Grant but only if we had the third court done as well. This was accepted and the GraGreen grit surface was replaced by painted porous tarmac.

Meanwhile, work on the Clubhouse continued. In 1992 an electricity supply was installed and in 1994 the Porch was added and the ground in front of the building paved.

In 2008 the courts were resurfaced and were thoroughly cleaned and re-painted in 2016. Also in 2016 floodlights were installed making year round play a possibility.

We joined the North District LTA in 1975 to compete in the Junior and Senior Mixed Leagues. Our first foray into the competitions brought success for our Under 16 squad.

When the District formed Men's and Ladies leagues (1978 & 1991 respectively) Rothes took part.

Many titles have been won in the intervening years. The first ever Ladies competition was won by Rothes. This remains the only main title the club has won, Several times we have had  teams promoted to the first division of the various leagues but, apart from the early women's side, they were never really in contention.

Most success came in the Junior events. The Under 16 Mixed League was taken in 1975, 1977, 1978, 1979, 1980, 1981 & 1990. From 1992 the Mixed format was dropped and separate Boys & Girls competitions were created. The girls won the first five titles and the boys won their's in 1994 & 1995

In 2014 our 12 & Under A team won their age group's Division 2 shield.

The women's team has also had success in the Scottish Cup, winning the District section in 1991. The 'prize' was a trip to Cults in the 1st round of the National stage of the event (the club received a £25 award for actually playing this match)