5 October 2016 | Tennis ACT, Colin Adrian, Terry Walker - President of the Reid Tennis Club and Anne Haycock - Past President of Tennis Seniors ACT

Jean Lesley Boag (OAM) (nee Crawley)

28 August 1917 – 6 September 2016

Jean Boag was born in Melbourne’s Ascot Vale on 28 August 1917 to Ivy and Les Crawley (MBE). She was the oldest of four children. Her siblings were Ron, Gwen and Allan.

Jean, or Mrs Boag as she was to a number of us who first knew her when we were juniors, has made an outstanding contribution to tennis in the ACT both as a voluntary worker and a player at Reid Tennis Club, to Tennis ACT and to Tennis Veterans ACT.

Jean joined Reid Tennis Club as a junior aged 10 years old when it opened in 1928 after her family had moved to Canberra from Melbourne.

Jean began her illustrious tennis career in 1933 at age 16 when she won the ACT School Girls Open Championships, both singles and doubles. In 1936, she won the club’s ladies singles.

Jean competed in many FCT/ACT Open and Resident Championships. She won the FCT Open Singles Championship in 1935, aged 18. She won the Ladies Resident Doubles Championships five times between 1949 and 1954 and again in 1956. This success continued in the veterans arena.

Jean Married Charlie Boag in 1938. In the same year, she and Charles won the respective singles titles and they went on to be a formidable pair both on and off the court.

They made a home Reid in 1944 where they lived and played tennis for most of their married life. They had two children, Thomas and Susan.

From then on, Jean was part and parcel of the Reid Tennis Club for over 70-years as a player, administrator, grounds keeper, gardener, cleaner and court, keys and lights manager.

Jean served on the club committee occupying practically every position at various stages of her life. Monthly meetings were often held at her home. Her enthusiasm for tennis and her club was all embracing and contagious.

There was the warm welcome extended to new members and those coming for a casual hit. While welcoming them, Jean made sure that they became members or that they made a small contribution to the club. Her dedication made it a great place to play tennis.

Jean was a member of three ACT teams which won their age group in the Australasian Teams Championships. She also won a number of Australian doubles titles from 1978 to 1983 with Jean Manning, Josie Buchtmann, Arthur Ide and her husband, Charles Boag.

The first time ladies teams were invited to compete in the veterans teams competition was in Adelaide in 1975. Jean was in the only ACT team, a 38 years team, with Alison Ide, Eunice Byron and Marge Smith. In 1976, Jean again played in the ACT 38 years ladies no. 2 team with Norma Crawley, Josie Buchtmann, Eunice Byron and Marge Smith. This was the first year the ACT hosted the Teams Carnival.

In Hobart, 1977, Jean was a member of the 50 ladies team with Norma Crawley, Josie Buchtmann and Jean Manning. The team only lost two sets in 4 matches to win their division. This was the first win for this team which played together until 1987 through the 50, 55 and 60 age groups with two more wins and several runners-up.

Jean played her last teams match with this team in Canberra in 1987, when they were again runner-up.

Jean was one of Reid’s earliest Honorary Life Members. In 1995, Jean, with her husband Charles, received recognition for their dedicated service to Reid through the National Volunteers Involvement Program.

In 1997, Jean was made fourth life member of Tennis Seniors ACT.

On 14 June 2004, Jean received an Order of Australia Medal (OAM) in recognition of her service to tennis in the Australian Capital Territory as an administrator and competitor.

Friend of Jean, Terry Walker said she did it all with little fan fare.

“Nowadays, we need to find many volunteers or paid workers to keep the Club functioning,” Mr Walker said. “The four courts, club house and gardens you see and enjoy today at Reid stand as a monument to Jean and Charlie’s contribution over many, many years.

“Jean will always be remembered at the Club. I noticed yesterday that some flowers had been placed at the garden in front of the Club house. Perhaps if you see the young ones and their parents wandering around the tennis courts, they will not be looking for their Pokemon, but for Jean Boag.”

VETERANS

Jean was a foundation member of veterans tennis in Canberra in 1970. She joined the committee in 1971. She was the Honorary Secretary of Tennis Veterans ACT from 1973- 1979 and 1980-1986, a period of 11-years.

Jean assisted the Veterans in many other ways. In particular, she served in the Match Control Box for the Easter ACT Open Veterans Championships from the first event in 1971 until 2001, a period of 30-years. She was also always in the Tournament Office for the Australian Seniors Championships when ACT were hosts in 1987, 1995 and even 2002 at the age of 85. She also organised the Social tennis at Lyneham on Saturday afternoons in the 80’s and 90’s.

Jean won the ACT Veteran of the Year Award in 1983. In 1988 the ACT Tennis Association awarded seven Bicentennial Medals to people who had contributed over the years. Jean received one for 53-years service to ACT Tennis as a player and administrator.

She was honoured with Life Membership of Tennis Seniors ACT at her 80th birthday celebrations in 1997.

In September 1997, President Anne Haycock said in her President’s Report “A very happy birthday to Jean Boag. 80-years young and still hitting a very mean backhand volley. I believe Jean is our first lady member to celebrate her 80th while still playing regular tennis.”

Mrs Haycock also spoke at Jean’s funeral.

“How proud am I today to represent the Canberra Tennis Family in paying tribute to a wonderful no nonsense lady, who had a great backhand volley and spent a lifetime devoted to the game of tennis.”

Jean Boag is a Canberra and Reid tennis icon.

Jean Boag passed away peacefully at the Goodwin Village, Ainslie in her 100th year on 6 September 2016.