Darry Cox Shield

DARYL COX (1929-1985)  

The Daryl Cox Memorial Shield is presented by Bayside Regional Tennis Association in honour of services to Tennis by Mr. Daryl Cox. The Shield is awarded bi-annually to the Saturday/Sunday Junior team with the best score aggregate over the season.

Daryl grew up in Edithvale and spent his adult life living in Carrum.  He married his wife Olive in 1953 and raised three children.  

Daryl joined the Carrum Tennis Club in 1943 and was Club President from 1953-1985.

He was passionately involved with CCTA over a 38 year period which saw him take on many roles:

*             1953-1965 Executive Committee

*             1965-1971 Vice-President

*             1971-1985 President                               

He was awarded Caulfield-Carrum Tennis Association life membership in 1977.

During his time with CCTA he was responsible for the introduction of inter-association senior and junior competitions, founded the CCTA versus the State Shell squad junior challenge matches, managed, promoted and hosted Junior travelling groups of anything up to 25 players to experience regional country tournaments in many destinations including Wangaratta, Echuca and Warragul and presided over weekend and midweek competitions that involved hundreds of players.  

Along with former Australian Open Tennis referee, Peter Bellenger (see the famous 1990 John McEnroe outburst on YouTube) they were a dominant force over a 30+ year period of the Caulfield-Carrum Tennis Association.  

Daryl also served on the Victorian Tennis Association (Tennis Victoria) Council and was recognised with a Highly Commended Service Award for his contribution to tennis at a Club, Association and State level in 1985.  Special mention was given to his untiring work to promote junior tennis.  

Professionally he worked as Manager of Kooyong Tennis Club (Lawn Tennis Association of Victoria) during the 1960s in conjunction with the legendary Harry Hopman who was President of the LTAV.  The Australian Championships (before the Open era) were played at Kooyong (alternating each year with White City, Sydney). Davis Cup finals were also held at Kooyong during a dominant tennis period for Australia.  

Daryl’s last professional role was as CEO of the Australian Hotels Association, a position he held for 17 years.  For a time the AHA remembered his loyal service (which included significant reforms) with a prestigious team culinary completion for aspiring apprentice chefs won by the likes of George Calombaris and Adam D’Sylva.  

After a battle with cancer Daryl passed away in 1985.