The item “Battle” Scene At Mdina Ditch (May 25) has aroused memories of the many other “battles” fought in bygone years in the ditch. These were namely the sporting battles and in my case, more specifically, the tennis battles at the Malta Playing Fields Association Rabat Tennis Club.
The tennis court that used to grace the Mdina ditch was origin-ally laid down during the early 20th century by the British authorities and the management of the Connaught Hospital at Mdina (since 1973 the building hosts the National Museum of Natural History). The Mdina tennis court was one of the first to be laid in Europe. It was originally only meant for the benefit and recreational use of the doctors and staff at the Connaught Hospital. Eventually local youngsters from Rabat with the help of the senior medical officer managed to convince the hospital authorities to allow them the use of the court. They were given the key for the gate from the hospital and were only allowed to play on Sunday mornings.
The Connaught Hospital closed in 1956 and the tennis court was passed on to the MPFA Rabat section. It became available to all and the MPFA Rabat Tennis Club was born.
Mr A. Herrera, Mr O. Tanti and Mrs F. Herrera, pioneers from the Rabat Tennis Club, were also the promoters of the Malta Lawn Tennis Association. They recruited support from others and September 5, 1966 saw the first meeting of the Malta Lawn Tennis Association. This was an important milestone for the sport of tennis in Malta.
Later we saw the first-ever “open for all” tennis tournament being organised in Malta at the Mdina court. Several youth tournaments were introduced.
The MPFA Rabat Tennis Club flourished with young and not-so-young. Membership fees were kept low, making accessibility easier for all. For several years, tennis initiation lessons were organised and open to all. These were run by volunteers from the tennis club.
Unfortunately as the 21st century drew closer costs increased, support weakened and the birth of a few other newer and larger clubs around the island started the demise of this traditional but revered club.
MPFA Rabat Tennis Club was fun and sport then. Now that the court has disappeared it shall constitute nostalgia, to many persons, of the 20th century.