News
Lifetime Achievement Award 2026
Posted on 17th Feb 2026
We would like to say a massive congratulations to Margaret Wareing who received the Lifetime Achievement award 2026!
Lifetime Achievement Award 2026
Nomination: Margaret Wareing
Below are some words from Sports Manager Sasha Wood:
It has been 30+ years since I started to work at West Hants during which time Margaret has been a constant presence on the tennis scene.
Margaret has helped by assisting with Club events and leagues, LTA Tournaments and advising on scoring formats for internal events (inc. Handicap 21 scoring etc). Giving up her time to help with tennis events for adults and juniors alike.
In recent years even though her eyesight has deteriorated to such an extent that she can no longer play her beloved tennis or golf (or drive) she gets the bus to WH to volunteer on the BO control desk, answering questions from players/parents and sorting the match balls. Margaret even comes in throughout the year to help sort through the used coaching / club match balls and assists in sending them off for recycling. Often bringing photo albums showing records of her memories of being an on-court official at various Grand Slam.
Margaret is a joy to be around and so generous with her time and knowledge and I feel she is a worthy recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award.
I recently sat down with Margaret to find out more about her life in tennis. Her story is quite incredible and impressive in equal measure.:
-In 1984 (aged 46) Margaret and her husband moved to Bournemouth and joined West Hants after hearing about it on the TV whilst watching the State Express Tennis Championships. 7 months later Margaret was widowed.
-It was after losing her husband that Margaret decided to get involved in officiating and she joined the Umpires Association in 1986 and officiated her 1st Wimbledon in 1987. Margaret achieved White Badge Referee status but focused on being an on court official (doing some Wimbledon Chairs) and going on to become a Wimbledon Team Leader (of 10) in 1990. Margaret has attended Wimbledon (either as a spectator or an official) over 350+ times.
Over the course of her officiating career, Margaret has worked on the following Grand Slams:
-10 x Australian Open
-3 x US Open
-26 x Wimbledon (19 Finals in a row!)
Reluctantly Margaret was forced to retire in 2008 (she worked the Nadal v Federer Wimbledon Final) due to the imposed 70-year age limit. After a law change Margaret re-applied for Wimbledon in 2014 and worked the next 4 years (2014-2017).
Margaret enjoyed playing Real Tennis from 1996 – 2017 and was the Membership Secretary and Treasurer at Canford School over those years. Also playing at Hampton Court.
Margaret made regular contributions to the Dorset Lob via Wendy Vernon-Brown who was the Dorset Lob editor.
Margaret has officiated all over Dorset, working on events at many Clubs including Branksome Park/ Victoria Ave/ East Dorset/Sherborne/ West Hants to name but a few
Since the late 1980’s Margaret has been involved in helping (and umpiring) with the West Hants Club Championships/Club Handicap and been on the Bournemouth Open Committee on a voluntary basis.
Sadly, in 2017 Margaret stopped officiating and playing tennis, real tennis & Golf (and driving) due to eyesight deterioration. For someone who loves sport so much this has been a big challenge to overcome.
Margaret's unwavering dedication, resilience in the face of challenges, and extraordinary contribution to the tennis at Club, County, and Grand Slam levels embody everything this award represents and it is with immense admiration that Margaret's remarkable lifetime of service to the game has been recognised.
Please enjoy these special photos from Margaret's personal collection, capturing just a few of the many unforgettable moments from her incredible journey in tennis.
