Delving into the archives with articles from the Goulburn Evening Penny Post dated August 6,1896, states:  “A team of local tennis players consisting of Messrs Shaw, Vaughan & R & S Maddrell, journeyed to Nelligen on Friday last on their bicycles where they met the local club in a friendly game on Saturday.”

They of course had to then ride back to Braidwood!

The following year, the GEPP reported that Braidwood defeated Cooma. They certainly didn’t mind travelling to play a game of tennis!

In the GEPP edition of Thursday October 8, 1903, says that the second annual tournament of the Braidwood Tennis Club was recently played. These courts are believed to be on the grounds adjoining the Presbyterian Church.

In 1905, the United Tennis Club was formed as quoted in the GEPP of November 2. (The same edition notes that a visiting motor car did the Goulburn to Braidwood run in the smart time of 1 hour 10 minutes!)

During the following years, the popularity of tennis increased with many matches held between The United Club, The Braidwood Tennis Club, Tarago, Reidsdale, Majors Creek and other localities.

Courts were then built in 1920 in Wilson Street where the current Braidwood Pre School stands. The Anglican Church did not allow tennis to be played on Sunday on these courts, so two courts were built in Elrington Street (Brian Hart’s old property). They called themselves the Waratah Club. Two courts were then built on land where now the Ambulance Station and Mobil Service Station exists.

The club moved again and built two courts in Coghill Street (owned by the Nomchong’s) where the scout hall is. With all of this moving, the Waratahs Club decided to change their name to The Wanderers Club.

To be continued.