As we look to celebrate this years May 18-24 National Volunteer Week championed by the theme ‘Changing Communities. Changing Lives’, we also look to recognise and pay tribute to the late Ajay Tandon who was by all accounts the epitome of this year’s theme. A visionary, a leader, a supporter, a friend and the former Manning Tennis Club President, Life Member and 2019 Service to Tennis Award finalist.
As the clubs impassioned stalwart and ambassador, Ajay was driven to realise the clubs motto to ‘have something for everyone’. And so it was that over a ten year period as President from 2009-2019, Ajay lead the way to ensure the club grew to be built on solid foundations for continued and future success. At the cornerstone of the clubs operations was Ajay’s vision for the club to be seen as more than just a tennis club, that it be a part of the community – for both the local community and the tennis community.
Placing a strong focus on engaging the wider community to bring both people and organisations into the fold, including surrounding residents and fellow country tennis clubs, Ajay felt a great sense of responsibility to reach as many people as possible in growing support and a wider love for the game. He recognised that it wasn’t just about the tennis on offer, but more about creating a club environment where people felt they were at home so they would keep coming back and bring others along. He recognised that the growth of the game wasn’t just about tennis players but also about those who supported those players regardless of whether they played the game or not.
Irrespective of challenging times or successful periods, Ajay’s attitude was to never rest on one’s laurels. With such feverish commitment he was always looking at how to further improve the club which became the driving force in turning the club into what it is today and a strong contributor to the club being named the 2016 Club of the Year at the annual Tennis Industry Awards Night.
Given his ability to build relationships with others through his genuine nature and unwavering willingness to extend an invitation to others with open arms, Ajay built irreplaceable relationships with everyone. His efforts in doing so ensured partnership with local councils, governments, sponsors, members and Tennis Australia, as well as members and non-members alike who found a welcoming community at MTC.
During Ajay’s presidency, Manning Tennis Club undertook multiple major projects for the betterment of both the player and non-player experience. Including two different court re-surfacing projects, major clubhouse refurbishment to the facility and surrounding areas; Ajay was also heavily involved in the in achieving the necessary funds for a new children’s playground.
Before his 10 year tenure as the clubs longest serving President, Ajay lead the charge of the Wednesday Night social competition. Recognising the need to give non-members the opportunity to become a part of our ‘MTC family’ at their own pace, Ajay saw the Wednesday nights competition as a great way to offer competitive tennis, encourage interaction between members and non-members and create a good atmosphere. Now a weekly ‘institution’ more than 10 years on and the social competition formulae continues to prove popular amongst members and non-members alike.
Yet as stellar as his tennis credentials were, they pale in comparison with who Ajay was as a person. In both his capacity as a member and President, he was generous with his time and was always focused on making people feel at home at the club. Member or non-member, it didn’t really matter because for Ajay, the minute someone stepped foot through the gates, he saw and treated them like part of the MTC family.
A dear friend to many, Ajay will be remembered for his kindness, generosity, loyalty, humour and warmth.
The Board and team at Tennis West, will be forever grateful for Ajay’s invaluable impact on the MTC family and the wider tennis community.
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