Long-time player, coach, administrator and Tennis West Board Director of 16 years, Ray Collins, has been recognised for his commitment to the betterment of tennis in Western Australia, awarded with the honour of Tennis West Life Membership at the 2020 Tennis West AGM, held on Thursday 29 October.
Dedicated to, and influential across many facets of strategic planning and future proofing of tennis in WA for more than 30 years, Collins was first introduced to the game of tennis by his family as a budding 7-year-old. Laying the foundations for what would become a lifetime commitment to the sport, Collins later began coaching lessons with the highly respected and well renowned West Australian tennis coach, Arthur Marshall Tennis Academy at the Melville-Palmyra Tennis Club.
As a talented youngster, Collins earnt himself a Melville- Palmyra TC scholarship, eventually paving the way for the opportunity to be assistant coach to head coach Arthur Marshall. Holding this role for many years, Collins continued to bolster his offerings in all things tennis, playing pivotal roles as assistant Tournament Director and Tournament Director at many local tournaments.
Appointed a teaching position at Northam Senior High School in 1980, Collins connected quickly to his new community, joining the Northam Tennis Club where it wasn’t long before he took the lead across a number of key roles including Captain, Junior Coordinator and President. Bringing his passions for teaching and tennis together as one, Collins has coordinated the Northam SHS Herbert Edwards and Mursell Shield teams for 32 years.
Instrumental in the amalgamation of the Northam Country Club, Collins was awarded Life Membership in 2003 following his ongoing commitment to the club which included more than 20 years as a key driver of progressive change and development at club and grassroots levels.
Not content with limiting his potential for positive influence, Collins carved out an impressive commitment to the governance of tennis in WA, holding Zone roles as the Central Districts Tennis Association Delegate to Tennis West Council, the Central District Tennis Association Delegate to Country Conference (13 years), the Financial Administrator Central Districts Tennis Association (15 years) and the Chairman of the Central Districts Tennis Association (15 years).
With his reputation proceeding him, Collins was invited to fulfil a vacancy on the Tennis West Board in 2002, going on to then be elected as a Board Director for the next 16 years from 2003 through to 2019. During his tenure on the Tennis West Board, Collins drew on his vast experience and expertise to facilitate positive mechanisms of change across tennis governance and operation in WA including; Junior Vice President, KPMG governance review, Tennis Industry Awards Selection Panel Board representative, Tennis West strategic planning and State Tennis Centre redevelopment advocacy.
Special mention must be made of Collins’ appointment as the Board Representative to the Club Membership Affiliation review where he worked closely with key stakeholders to ensure a fair, sustainable and appropriate affiliation model was implemented in WA.
In addition to the many positions held on the Tennis West Board, Collins worked tirelessly to forge strong relationships with representatives from affiliated clubs, and was a particularly strong advocate for regional WA clubs. Collins worked closely with the Zone Management Committees to ensure the premier regional events (Country Zone Championships, D’Arcy Slater Cup and Foundation Cup) remained on the tournament calendar which continued to thrive year on year and provide competitive playing opportunities for regional players.
Leadership qualities aside, Collins has maintained his playing prowess across the years with memberships at Claremont TC (2006-current), Northam Country Club (1983-2003) and the Melville-Palmyra TC (1971-1983). A member of the Governors Tennis Team for 8 years (2004-2012) and a Tennis Australia Junior Development Coach for more than 20 years, Collins was awarded the Australian Sports Medal in 2000 and the Australian Government Sport Achievement Award for Pearce Sporting Community in 2006.
Living true to his testament that ‘If you are going to be involved in something then you might as well run it. That way you only have yourself to blame if it doesn’t go well’, Tennis West acknowledges the unwavering commitment and dedication made by Collins and is honoured to award him with Life Membership for his positive influence and venerable contribution to the landscape of tennis in WA.
Collins says that he is humbled to have been made a life member of Tennis West and that giving back to the sport has in turn offered him so much more.
“It is an honour and a privilege to be recognised when so many people give their time so freely to tennis. It’s very humbling,”
“To see so many people playing tennis, especially kids, has always been my vision for the sport. I am a very lucky man,” Collins said.
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