Drung South Tennis Club's John Burford love for tennis was passed down through generations

He has played tennis since moving to Horsham in 1987, however, his passion for the sport began long before his move. 

It was Burford’s mother and grandmother that ignited his love for the game.

“My mum was a good tennis player and my grandmother was mad on sport even though she did not play,” he said.

“I spent a lot of time with my grandmother at Adelaide Oval’s Memorial Drive and West Torrens Football Club meeting the players. 

“We always has a tennis court where we lived and mum was just mad on tennis. I played my first tournament with my mother at the age of eight.”

When Burford moved to Horsham he started out at the Horsham Lawn Tennis Club. 

While he was playing for the club he was on the committee that brought Horsham Lawn into the Central Wimmera Tennis Association.

“I got on the committee after a few years and eventually we joined into the central Wimmera because the Horsham Lawn Tennis Club did not have any juniors at the time,” he said. 

“So, when the older people retired the club was left struggling a bit so we came back into the Central Wimmera Tennis Association.” 

Burford played a long 17 years at Horsham Lawn before hanging up his racket.

“I went and played bowls for three years. I enjoyed it, but not as much as tennis so I came back,” he said. 

Burford returned to the court for Drung South Tennis Club. 

From there he became the president of the Central Wimmera Tennis Association for three years before his daughter Kate-Lyn Perkin took over two years ago. 

He said it was great to share the sport with his family. 

“My son wasn’t too interested in tennis and my older daughter played tennis as well – she was a steady tennis player. Kate-Lyn loves tennis though and she is good at it,” he said. 

Burford said a highlight was playing on the same team as Kate-Lyn. 

However, he said his biggest highlight was winning a grand final for Horsham Lawn. 

“They hadn’t won one in 21 years and we went in as the underdogs and ended up winning,” he said. 

“The other great highlight was meeting some of the great tennis players years ago at Memorial Drive. 

“In those days we were able to mingle with them and carry their bags out to the court.”

While Burford has stepped down from the Central Wimmera Tennis Association committee, he is still playing for Drung South. 

“I do love my tennis and I am going to play for as long as I can,” he said.