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Manitoba Tennis Hall of Fame

The inaugural Manitoba Tennis Hall of Fame induction ceremony took place in conjunction with the 2006 Tennis Manitoba Awards Banquet. Tennis Manitoba continues with the Hall of Fame induction process during the 2007 Tennis Manitoba Awards Banquet presented by CIBC Wood Gundy.
} Tennis Manitoba Awards Banquet

Hall of Fame: Builders

Tennis Manitoba would like to recognize those people that have provided exceptional contributions that have furthered the growth, reputation and character of the sport, in categories such as administration, media, coaching and officiating.

} Gerry Labies 2006

 

 

 

 

Gerry Labies

 

Gerry Labies

 

Gerry Labies

 

Gerry Labies

Hall of Fame: Players

Tennis Manitoba would like to recognize those people with a distinguished record of competitive achievement at the Provincial level, with consideration given to integrity, sportsmanship and character.

} Ray Daumler 2006

 

 

 

 

Ray Daumler

 

Ray Daumler

 

Ray Daumler

 

Ray Daumler


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Art Foster 2006

 

 

 

 

Art Foster

 

Art Foster

 

Art Foster

 

Art Foster


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James A. Ioanidis 2007

 

 

 

 

James Ioanidis

 

James Ioanidis

 

James Ioanidis

 

James Ioanidis


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Hilda Lewis 2007

 

 

 

 

Hilda Lewis

 

Hilda Lewis

 

Hilda Lewis

 

Hilda Lewis


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Eleanor O’Gorman 2007

 

 

 

 

Eleanor O’Gorman

 

Eleanor O’Gorman

 

Eleanor O’Gorman

 

Eleanor O’Gorman

   
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Gerry Labies

Gerry Labies Hall of Fame: Builder
Inducted: 2006
   
Gerry Labies was born in Friedeberg, Germany on January 26, 1927. In 1949 he met his future wife Traudel. In 1953 he came to Manitoba leaving her behind. After a year of separation Traudel decided to join Gerry and start a new life with him. They married in 1954. Five years later their daughter Helen was born making their family complete.

Gerry pursued a career teaching History and quickly became a favourite amongst the students at Vincent Massey Collegiate.

In 1949, while landscaping, Gerry started to watch a tennis court being built. This intrigued him and as the court began to develop so did his curiosity. Once the court was complete he began to watch the players and decided that maybe he would like a have a try at this interesting sport. This was to be the catalyst for an amazing journey into the world of tennis. Although he didn’t really get serious about the game until he came to Canada.

In every aspect of his life Gerry was a perfectionist. If something was worth doing it was worth doing right. His love for the game of tennis grew quickly and he soon became competitive. His love of gardening and his love for tennis were soon combined when he agreed to take on the job of groundskeeper for the Winnipeg Lawn Tennis Club on Rosyln Road. Gerry soon found the right combination of salt and water to make the clay courts perfect.

With his intelligence and skills on the court the Winnipeg Lawn Tennis Club trophy case was soon filling up with Gerry’s name. Being the accomplished teacher that he was he began to teach tennis in 1964 in night school. Many of his students went on to have rewarding tennis accomplishments themselves.
 
   
    Gerry Labies
     
    Gerry (far left) helps set up a net at Winnipeg Lawn Tennis Club’s former home on Roslyn Road.
     
   
In typical Gerry fashion his love of the game only grew. He decided that it was time to learn officiating. In 1986 he received his Level III Tennis Canada Officials Certification. From there he began to officiate. He became well known for his fairness and ability to control the linesmen and ball kids as well as the players. In 1987 it was no surprise that Gerry was asked to officiate the matches between Boris Becker and Kevin Curren and Vitas Gerulaitis and Andrew Sznajder at the Winnipeg Arena.

Seeing the need for better officials, Gerry took it upon himself to begin training sessions. He recruited and trained some of Manitoba’s best officials, some of which have gone on to officiate on a national level.

Gerry’s commitment to excellence and training caught the eye of the Pan Am committee. In 1995, Gerry was asked to come on board. His task was to train and organize the officials for the Pan Am games. Gerry had 4 years to get a team together, which was a daunting task. He began having clinics and training sessions while still attending Pan Am meetings and organizing sessions. This became a full time job in itself. But true to his word, Gerry has his team ready in time for the 1998 Women’s Challenger Tournament, a high level international tournament. This event was the testing ground for the team, and they passed the test. They were ready for the Pan Am games. At the games their professionalism and skills shone through. Gerry had left his biggest legacy.

Gerry’s contributions to the tennis community did not go unnoticed. He received the Tennis Manitoba Certificate of Appreciation, the Unicity Racquet Club Certificate of Appreciation, the Manitoba Sports Federation Outstanding Volunteer Sport Award and the Tennis Canada Distinguished Service Award.

Sadly, on October 6, 2004, Gerry lost his battle with cancer. The tennis community felt and still feels his absence. He left his mark in so many ways that he could never be forgotten. Tennis in Manitoba is truly better because of the dedication of Gerry Labies. His spirit lives on in every one he taught and played with. His daughter Helen and his granddaughter Victoria continue to play competitively, with a love for the game no doubt instilled in them by their father and grandfather.

We want to thank his wife Traudel for her help in putting together this tribute to Gerry, allowing us to honor him for the man that he was to all of us. 
 
     
    Gerry Labies
     
    Gerry serves as Chair Umpire at the 1987 exhibition match at the Winnipeg Arena, featuring Boris Becker versus Kevin Curren.
     
     
    Gerry Labies
     
    Gerry (kneeling) with the line umpires at the 1998 Women’s Challenger at
Winnipeg Lawn Tennis Club.
     
     
    Gerry Labies
     
    Mickey Williams (Bahamas), Johnny Saldivias (Ecuador), Gerry, Fernando Baron (Colombia) at the 1999 Pan American Games.
     
    Gerry Labies
     
    Tano Cruz from Mexico (Chief of Officials at the 1999 Pan Am Games), Gerry and Javier Moreno from Spain (Referee at the 1999 Pan Am Games) prepare for the next day's matches during the 1999 Pan American Games.
     
     
    Gerry Labies
     
    Ian Melling (Past-President of Tennis Manitoba), Tano Cruz (Chief of Officials), Tony Cho (Director of Officiating for Tennis Canada), Javier Moreno (Referee) and Gerry at the Winnipeg Lawn Tennis Club during the 1999 Pan American Games.
     
     
    Gerry Labies
     
    Rob Jackson (Chair Umpire from New Brunswick) and Gerry at the 1999 Pan American Games.
     
     
    Gerry Labies
     
    Gerry (third from right) at the closing ceremonies for tennis at the 1999 Pan American Games.
     
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Posted: September 19, 2006

     
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Art Foster

Art Foster Hall of Fame: Player
Inducted: 2006
   
At the age of 17 Art Foster was asked by a friend to return balls for him. This was the first time that Art had ever picked up a racquet. He was very much involved with basketball and until then he had no interest in tennis. Once he took that racquet in his hand everything changed. He instantly fell in love with the game. Like everything in his life, he wanted to be good at it, and he wanted to learn his way. Although he never took a lesson it didn’t mean he didn’t want to learn. Art immersed himself in books and studying other players. Most importantly, he practiced and practiced and practiced.

It wasn’t long before he was a force to be reckoned with on the courts. Art had a natural talent, and with his baseline play and speed on the court he could run down just about anything. “Just keep the ball in play and let them make the mistakes” was his motto, and it worked. His doubles partner, Ken McRae was quoted as saying “We have been playing together for 40 years and he still amazes me. He is not the fanciest player on the court but he can certainly get the job done.”

On the court Art was someone to be feared yet admired. Off the court, he was always admired. Anyone who ever played against him will tell you that he was the nicest player to play with. His competitive edge never kept him from being the most sportsmanlike. He was kind and caring and always had nice things to say to and about his opponents. His modesty is real and refreshing. This is who Art is.
 
   
    Art Foster
     
    Art was a natural with a tennis racquet in his hand. His opponents often felt like they were chasing 3 balls at once!
     
   
He retired from his job at Great West Life after 34 years. Everyone loves him and words like “kind”, “gentle”, “modest” and “patient” are often used when describing him. For many years he was on the board of directors at the St. Norbert Treatment Foundation and Behavior Center. He was there representing Great West Life.

Art’s interests are as diverse as he is. He was a very accomplished athlete in many sports. From 1945 to 1947 he played and lettered in basketball for the University of Manitoba Bisons. He later went on to play faculty soccer and basketball. His university experience was a full one. He worked as sports editor of the Manitoban and was the business manager of the Commerce Magazine. His fraternity brothers of Sigma Lanba Phi knew that he was going to go far. In addition to all this, he curled and played badminton. He left the university with an honours degree in Commerce. As if that wasn’t enough to keep him busy he also learned to play the piano.

He met his wife Gay while playing badminton at the Winnipeg Badminton Club on River Avenue (now demolished). They married in 1956 and their children Christine and John came later. They now have 4 grandchildren to be proud of. We congratulate Gay and Art for celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary this year.

In the 100 years of the Manitoba Open Tennis Tournament, Art Foster is the only one to have won the Men’s Open Singles title 6 times. In 1957 he won the North Dakota Open Singles. In 1955 he and long time partner Ken McRae won the Alberta Open Doubles. His tournament wins mounted and continued to mount into his 60’s. In 1988, at the age of 61, Art received the Order of Sports Excellence for winning the National Seniors 60+ singles, 55+ doubles and 60+ doubles titles. Unfortunately, we are not sure just how many wins he really had. Art gave his trophies away to be used again for other tournaments and he did not keep track of his tennis accomplishments. It wasn’t about winning. He enjoyed winning as much as the next guy but he loved the sport even more.

Art was a hero to many kids. Once he retired he devoted some of his spare time to teaching juniors indoors at the Winnipeg Winter Club. It was important to teach them to play well and be good sports on and off the court. He is a true role model for the game of tennis.

Sadly, in 1998, while vacationing in Portugal, Art suffered a stroke. His memory of the game that he loved was gone. He is now living in a personal care home. Art gave so much to the world of tennis and it is now our turn to give back to him. His legacy will live on as long as we keep it alive. Practicing, giving 100%, being kind on and off the court, keeping that competitive edge while remaining modest, and giving back to the community. These are the ideals that Art has left us and we are better off because of him.

In 2005, his wife Gay was asked to give out an award on behalf of Art at the 100th anniversary of the Manitoba Open Tennis Tournament. It is now our honor to include him in the Tennis Manitoba Hall of Fame.
 
     
    Art Foster
     
    Ken McRae (left) and Art Foster enjoy some downtime off the court.
     
     
    Art Foster
     
    Long-time doubles partners Dr. Ken McRae (left) and Art Foster accept one of the many championship trophies at the Manitoba Open.
     
     
    Art Foster
     
    Art takes a well deserved rest from the action.
     
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Posted: October 2, 2006

     
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Ray Daumler

Ray Daumler Hall of Fame: Player
Inducted: 2006
   
It was back in 1973 at the age of 8 that Ray Daumler took up the sport of tennis at the Kildonan Canoe Club. This was the start of a tennis career that would span 28 years and be filled with numerous highlights.

Success came quickly and it was not long before Ray became a top junior player in the province and won many singles and doubles titles in the 1970s and 1980s.

At the age of 13, Ray competed in the Orange Bowl World Championships as a wild card. He won two rounds in the feed-in consolations and lost to the world’s # 1 U14 player. He represented Manitoba at countless Junior Nationals and in 1983, Ray’s final year of junior eligibility, he defeated Canadian Davis Cup player Mark Greenan.
 
   
    Ray Daumler
     
    Ray chases down a wide ball en route to one of many tournament titles.
     
   
Ray did find time for activities away from the tennis court and a young woman by the name of Lynne caught his eye back in 1983. Three years later they were married and they now have two children, Bradley who is 15 and Alexa who is 12.

Although Ray was married in 1986, he still found plenty of time to play tennis and continued to compete at a very high level. It was actually that very same summer that he captured his first Manitoba Open Men’s Singles title. Ray went on to defend his title the very next year and then took home a third Men’s Singles Championship in 1989. He was the dominant player in the province at the time and was very difficult to defeat.

Ray was extremely tough mentally and willed his way to many victories. He may not have looked like the smoothest player on the court, but he was very competitive, he battled hard for every point and he knew how to win. Opponents will testify to the fact that he was very difficult to play against because you could not get Ray off of his game.

Ray is a sports enthusiast and stays in shape today by running, lifting weights and taking part in Tae Kwon Do. He and Lynne are black belts and the children are brown belts.

Ray works for the Provincial Government as the Director of Capital Planning for the Manitoba Housing and Renewal Corporation. He is also trained as an electrician and gas fitter and is an installer and designer of residential ventilation systems.

Ray joined us on the final day of the 100th anniversary of the Manitoba Open in 2005 and was recognized as one of the past champions of the tournament. It is our pleasure to formally recognize all of his efforts, contributions and successes in the sport of tennis by inducting him in the Manitoba Tennis Hall of Fame.
 
     
    Ray Daumler
     
    Focus and determination were keys to Ray’s success.
     
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Posted: October 3, 2006

     
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James A. Ioanidis

James Ioanidis Hall of Fame: Player
Inducted: 2007
   
Jimmy Ioanidis started playing tennis in Portage la Prairie at the age of 11, where he shared one racquet with his sisters, Connie and Joan. With the help of friends, like Jim Preece, Harvey Sparling, Doug Muirhead and Ralph Rowley, at the Island Park Tennis Club, it was not long before Jimmy was excelling and winning local tournaments. His natural talent and hard work quickly moved him up the ladder of tennis success and he was soon hitch-hiking to Winnipeg to play tournaments.

As a youngster Jim was involved in many sports before tennis became his focus. He was an avid curler, played basketball and won the Browns’ Limited Cup for Senior Boys’ athletics at Portage Collegiate. He was also a Queen’s Scout.

In 1951 at the age of 14, Jim won the Winnipeg and District Junior Singles Championship. He continued to capture that crown for 3 years, along with many doubles and mixed titles. His perennial opponents and/or doubles partners were Frank Kanovsky, Don Mugford and Don McKush. He also teamed with Joy Campbell to win numerous Mixed Championships.
 

   
    James Ioanidis
     
    Jim at 19 years of age at the Winnipeg Lawn Tennis Club
     
   

Moving on to the Open circuit, at 19 Jim was one of the youngest to ever hold the Men’s Singles title, a title which he retained for 5 years.

In 1959 Jim was chosen to attend the trials for Junior Davis Cup Squad in Ottawa – a great accomplishment for a small town prairie boy. He was in the company of the nation’s tennis cream of the crop which included Bob Bedard, Harry Fauquier, John Bassett Jr., Francois Godbout, Reider Getz, Yvon Leblanc and Don Fontana.

His many tennis successes also included winning championships in the Northern United States, Western Canada, Duluth and the Lakehead.

Jim dominated the Men’s Junior and Senior Championships of Manitoba, as well as Doubles and Mixed Doubles, over a 14 year period.

His achievements were repeated while he attended the University of Manitoba where he earned a Chartered Accountant degree. Jim, and his sister Connie, along with Eleanor O’Gorman, lead the Manitoba Bison Tennis Team to many University victories from 1955 – 1962.

Jim continued to excel in tennis after he married Joanne Woolley and moved to Montreal in 1963 where he had landed a job with the prominent chartered accountant firm of Price Waterhouse & Co. Within a few years he was to become the youngest person to be made a partner with the firm.

In 1964 he was chosen to attend the Davis Cup trials held at the Mount Royal Tennis Club. He was in good company with the likes of Bob Bedard, Mike and Keith Carpenter, Val Harit, Reider Getz, Bob Puddicome, Brian Flood, Tony O’Donnell and many hard battles were fought.

Also in 1964 Jim played Roy Emerson in the Canadian Open Championships held at the Monkland Tennis Club. The first set was magical as Jim extended the famous Aussie who finally took notice of the 28 year old Ioanidis and Emerson finished by winning the match. However the next day headlines in the Montreal Gazette dominated the sports page: “Emerson Extended by Ioanidis” A proud moment indeed.

Jim was President of the prestigious Mount Royal Tennis Club from 1972 – 1974. His name appears as champion on the singles, doubles and veterans trophies numerous times from 1964 - 1994. During that period he played in the company of many famous tennis players, with the most notable being Greg Rusedski, an up and coming junior at the time.

1982 was a stellar year in tennis for Jim as he won both the Quebec Provincial Buick Challenge and National Buick Challenge Mixed Doubles Championships in London, Ontario with partner Denise Green.

He served as Treasurer of the exclusive Montreal Indoor Tennis Club from 1994-96 and held several club titles in singles, doubles and mixed doubles from 1986 - 2001.

Not to be outdone on the courts, Jim also dabbled in fashion and modelled tennis clothes in a tennis magazine. His famous backhand also appeared on the cover of the Cote de Liesse Tennis and Racquet Club’s Summer Brochure in 1983.

In 2000 he entered his first senior national tournament in Mont Tremblant, QC where he reached the men’s finals in the 60 plus category. He unfortunately lost but it was a great show.

Along with his love of tennis, Jim was a family man. Jim’s children were his pride and joy. George, Don, Rob and Natalie were important to him and he instilled in them his love of sports and how it made one strong in mind and spirit. They all in their own rights have many academic and sports accomplishments. Jim’s strength lives in his 4 children and 9 grandchildren.

Jim constantly gave a good performance and was a true fighter often making his way to the finals. Whether in tennis or in life he always gave one hundred and ten percent.

His enduring laugh and ever present smile were as famous as his backhand. His trademark backhand was noted for its text-book form, power and accuracy. It left many opponents gasping for air and screaming in agony as the winning shot exploded past them.

From 1999 - 2001 Jim was Treasurer of the local Baie d’Urfe Tennis Club where his name appears on numerous single, doubles and mixed championships. He was directly responsible for the construction of a new club house which opened in April 2002. The Baie d’Urfe Tennis Club clubhouse stands as a tribute to his contribution and devotion to tennis. His picture and plaque at the club reads:

 

Jim Ioanidis
"His dedication, diligence and love of tennis
made this new clubhouse his final triumph."

   
 

Jim’s untimely passing occurred October 23, 2002. 
 

     
    James Ioanidis
     
    Jim at Winnipeg Canoe Club
     
     
    James Ioanidis
     
    Jim's famous backhand in motion
     
     
   

James Ioanidis

     
    Ioanidis family: from left to right, front row, Jim and Joanne; back row, Rob, Natalie, Don and George in 1995 at son George's wedding
     
  v

See also: Ioanidis First Tennis Player to Enter Manitoba Sports Hall of Fame

     
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Posted: September 29, 2007

     
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Hilda Lewis

Hilda Lewis Hall of Fame: Player
Inducted: 2007
   
Hilda Lewis (nee Burridge) was the first dominant player in the province of Manitoba, asserting herself as the woman to beat in the 1920s. She was a longtime member of the Wildewood Club and captured many club championships over the years.

Hilda holds the record for the most Women’s Singles titles at the Manitoba Open Tennis Championships. She won the tournament 9 times, including a streak of seven years from 1920-1926.
 
   
    Hilda Lewis
     
    Hilda Lewis
     
    Hilda Lewis
     
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    Hilda Lewis
     
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Posted: October 2, 2007

     
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Eleanor O’Gorman

Eleanor O’Gorman Hall of Fame: Player
Inducted: 2007
   
Eleanor O’Gorman began playing tennis in 1953 at the Wildewood Club in the junior program that was coordinated and coached by Lloyd Borland. Two years later she participated in the U12 Junior Nationals at the Rideau Club in Ottawa. Through her junior years, she played the Prairie Junior tournaments as well as tournaments in Ontario, Quebec and Minnesota. Following the Junior Nationals, Eleanor was selected to play on the Canadian Junior Team versus New England in Lake Placid and Boston.

In 1960 Eleanor won the first of six Manitoba Open Women’s Singles Championships. A couple of years later she was selected to a five member Girls’ Team that represented Canada in the U.S. National Girls Championships at the Merion Cricket Club in Philadelphia. That same year she was also awarded the Carl Pederson Memorial Trophy for Manitoba Junior Athlete of the Year.

During her junior playing years, Eleanor also excelled in badminton, winning the Girls Doubles at Junior Nationals and finishing second in singles.

In 1969 she teamed up with Judy Peake to capture the Silver Medal in Women’s Doubles at the Canada Summer Games.
 
   
    Eleanor O’Gorman
     
    Eleanor (far right) with the Canadian Girls Team at the 1962 United States National Girls Championships which took place at the Merion Cricket Club in Philadelphia.
     
   
Eleanor was also very busy away from the tennis court, as both a student and a volunteer. In 1969 she graduated from the University of Manitoba in Education and began teaching at River East Collegiate. She was also President of the Manitoba Tennis Association in the early 1970s and assisted with the hosting of two Davis Cup ties at the Winnipeg Canoe Club. Eleanor was Committee Chair for the 1971 Canadian National Tennis Championships, which was also hosted at the Winnipeg Canoe Club.

She made the move down east and in 1975 began working at the Granite Club in Toronto and became the Head Squash and Tennis Professional. This did not stop her from playing the game she loved and in 1985 she won the 40+ Doubles at the World Masters Games and two years later Eleanor won the Canadian Mixed Doubles Championship in squash. In 1991 she won the 40+ Doubles at the Senior Nationals with her sister, Isabel Feasby.

After spending time as the Sports Manager at the Badminton and Racquet Club of Toronto, Eleanor moved to her current position as Manager of four Mayfair Racquet and Fitness Clubs Sports Shops.

She is Director of the Doug Philpott Inner City Tennis Fund, an organization dedicated to funding and coordinating tennis coaching for 11 sites in designated low income areas of Toronto. Eleanor still plays tennis and is a member of the Toronto Lawn Tennis Club.

It is our pleasure to recognize Eleanor’s commitment and dedication to tennis and her many accomplishments in the sport by induction into the Manitoba Tennis Hall of Fame.
 
     
    Eleanor O’Gorman
     
    Eleanor at the Winnipeg Tennis Club
     
    Eleanor O’Gorman
     
    Eleanor with sister Isabel Feasby
     
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Posted: October 1, 2007

     
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Tennis Manitoba plans to induct selected people into the Tennis Manitoba Hall of Fame at future Tennis Manitoba Awards Banquets. If you wish to make any comments or suggestions about the Tennis Manitoba Hall of Fame, please contact Tennis Manitoba.

  
 
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