It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of John Schofield, Honorary President of Durham & Cleveland County LTA. John died peacefully and without pain at the age of 90.
John brought passion and energy to every part of his life – his family, his career and his tennis, and his family can look back with immense pride on his achievements in all these. John’s life in Durham & Cleveland tennis began in the late 60’s when he joined Yarm Tennis Club, where he was a very successful player but much more besides. He created a coaching programme that grew to a County-wide structure, the first County training programme for Juniors, the formation of the Cleveland Coaches Association before ultimately becoming Chair of BCTA (British Tennis Coaches Association).
John joined the County Executive team in 1993, becoming Chair of Performance in 1999 and then President of the County (an executive role) in 2006. John remained Chair for 18 years and retained responsibility for performance throughout that time while laying the foundations for the County to become a standard bearer for tennis in the North East.
John’s determination to grow tennis and bring it to new audiences led to him being a pioneer in disability tennis nationally. In 1993 John launched tennis for hearing impaired children and these tournaments continue to this day, bringing players from schools as far afield as Bradford and Doncaster as well as North East schools.
Two years later John introduced wheelchair tennis and tournaments in Sunderland. These grew into ITF2 international tournaments at their peak and today we have top players who will never forget the day they first met John and were inspired to take up our sport. John was immensely proud to witness the first ever wheelchair tennis tournament at the County Closed Championship last August.
We are sure you will want to join with us in expressing sympathy and sincere condolences to his beloved wife Margaret and his children Anne Clayton, who you all know and to whom he gifted a passion for and lifetime of service to tennis, and Stephen.
With no office base we cannot, unfortunately, provide a Book of Condolences for your use, but if you wish to express your feelings and perhaps share your memories of John, the County will create a folder of your contributions for the family to hold.
