Max Purdy - Administrator of the Year 2009

At the Awards ceremony at the Australian Seniors Championships at the Gold Coast in January 2010, Max Purdy from Western Australia was honoured as the Administrator of the Year for 2009 in recognition for his role in running a most successful World Super-seniors Championships in Perth.  However Max's contribution to Seniors tennis stretches back much further than 2009, as WA President Sandra Petterson reports...

Max Purdy has been a long standing member of Tennis Seniors WA and joined the management committee in 1994. Since this time, Max has been an amazing advocate of TSWA, always available when needed, acting as a mentor for new committee members, taking on demanding yet challenging roles and always with the best interest of Tennis Seniors WA at heart.

Max Purdy - Administrator of the Year for 2009

Many of us have participated in Tennis Seniors Australian Championships and are aware of the hard work that is involved in these events and the long term commitment to planning and running that is required by anyone that participates behind the scenes. The organising generally commences about 18 months prior to the event taking place. Max Purdy has been the Treasurer for four of these major events: 1996 and 2007 Australian Championships, 2001 and 2005 ITF World Championships and has also chaired the sub committee for the 2003 Australian Championships. Most people would think this was enough, but not Max. During this time, Max also held the Secretary’s portfolio from 2001 – 2003 and was President of TSWA from 2004 – 2006.

As we sit here today, we must also remember that during Max’s time as President saw the major upgrade of Robertson Park to what we know it to be today. The original building had a temporary fixture that housed not only the Centre Manager, but was also office to TSWA. Max’s leadership guided and directed the many ideas and at times, some of us remember that there were conflicting ideas, but Max encourage everyone to work together and as a result saw the major upgrade take place.

Max was also very involved in many other aspects of Tennis Seniors WA. He held the Tournament Portfolio for many years and orchestrated many Wool 4 Comfort and HEAD tournaments that we have thoroughly enjoyed. Max was also very involved in the many social events that have taken place at Robertson Park. Max stepped down from the management committee 2 years ago, as he and Gaye planned to travel and would not be as available as usual, but that hasn’t stopped Max from still being involved. He has remained on the Selection and Ratings Subcommittee and endeavours to participate in many tennis and social functions.

18 months ago TSWA decided to nominate for the 2009 ITF World Super Seniors Championships and this must have been when Max decided that a 6 month break was plenty and took on the role of Secretary for this enormous event. This is a huge job, communicating with not only members of the TSWA subcommittee, but also TSA and the ITF. Max was fantastic. He was thorough, vigilant, tactful, helpful and tireless. Max acted as the driving force, ensuring that the subcommittee stayed focused and maintained steady progress. During the event Max was always available to help solve problems and support volunteers and the ITF staff whenever required. In fact, we think Max has spent the last 18 months on Red Bull because he never seemed to sleep. This event was described as” an outstanding international event” by TSA and “a great job” by the ITF. This is impressive as we are competing with countries that host these events with fully paid staff to organise and execute them.