The name of many-times Isle of Man tennis champion Eileen Qualtrough will live on at her home town club, Castletown, thanks to a ceremony which took place at the club’s Malew Street Courts. Eileen died in 2009 at the age of 81 but there is now a permanent reminder of the contribution she made to the club as a result of a presentation in her memory by family members. Husband Ian and son John, on behalf of the Qualtrough family, presented two inscribed benches and an honours board to Castletown LTC which were officially received by club chairman Ron Ronan. Ron had partnered Eileen to victory in the Isle of Man Mixed Doubles Championship in the 1980s. The presentation was watched by around 40 members and supporters – during a break in the club session - together with representatives of Castletown Commissioners from whom the club leases the courts. In his speech, Ron referred to the fact that Eileen had been an active member for many years, having won Island championships at singles, ladies doubles and mixed. In addition, she won various other local tournaments as well as being elected Castletown ladies’ captain on numerous occasions. Said Ron: ‘Eileen was everything. She was a fierce competitor and it was always better to have her on your side of the net, rather than the other, that’s for sure. We are greatly indebted to the family for the gift of these two seats which will serve as a memory of Eileen at the courts. ‘We also have the Honours Board which is inside the clubhouse and we will decide how that will be displayed. The gifts will be a lasting tribute to Eileen who was a first class member of this club.’ John Qualtrough officially unveiled the seats and thanked everyone for their attendance: He added: ‘My mother spent a lot of time up here and would be very happy to see so many people enjoying tennis at Castletown. Apart from Dad and us kids, tennis was her next big love so thank you all for turning up and keeping tennis going in Castletown - and I want that honours board filling.’ Eileen Livesey originally came from the Didsbury area of Manchester but travelled to the Island to, initially, take up a post as physical education teacher at Douglas High School before moving to the Buchan School. Although netball and tennis were her main sports she also played hockey and through that met her future husband Ian, also a well known local sportsman and managing director of builders’ merchants J. Qualtrough and Company. They married, and Eileen stayed on the Island to become one of the top local players, winning a total of 16 Isle of Man titles. ENDS