West Tamworth Tennis Club names court in John Ball's honour

In a fitting tribute to the long-serving administrator, who passed away late last year following a three year battle with cancer, the club named the court in his honour at a special function on the weekend.

Family and former committee comrades came together for the unveiling, and to remember a man who gave so much to the club.

"It really was a special day and I just know that John would have been so humbled by it," John's widow Yvonne "Bonnie" said.

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"He spent a lot of time at the tennis club, and he did a lot of work for it."

It was like a second home and, after his family, his second love, and "did a lot for him" too, she added.

"He used to go down there three times a week with the vets, right up to probably six months before he passed," she said.

Likewise the Thursday night competition he ran.

"He just loved the club and the atmosphere," Yvonne said.

"To think that he's got a court named after him, he'd be so delighted and thrilled."

"They couldn't have done anything more special or nicer to remember him by."

Known affectionately around the club as "JB", John's administrative involvement with the club started back in 1962 and took on many forms over the years including president, a role he held from 2003 to 2018.

His dedication saw him duly recognised with not only life membership of the club but also by the state body.

About 30 family members, including his four sisters, sons Dean and Steve and daughter Jo (Gray) and his many grandchildren, were joined by several of his former committee colleagues.

"They put on a lovely afternoon tea. They went to a lot of trouble," Yvonne said.

Steve and Dean, and Jo, who Yvonne joked "is a bit like her mother and can't hit a ball" had a hit to christen the court along with some of his grand children which she said, "really made it a special afternoon".

She thanked the club and the committee and the members for supporting the gesture.

"I know that John would have just been overcome by it all," she added.

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