EVENT

19 SEPTEMBER 2026

TCCB’s 50th anniversary: looking back on 19 September 2026

The pleasure of playing together, from one generation to the next

On Saturday 19 September 2026, Tennis Club de Collonge-Bellerive celebrated half a century of history. From the afternoon games to the elegance of the gala, the generations came together with the same happiness at being in one another’s company, in a place where friendships grow and a love of tennis is passed on.

Fifty years of memories

On the courts, smiles set the tone. Children played with their coaches, tried the activities and shared the pleasure of this particular day with their parents. There was a gentleness in feeling that you belonged, surrounded by familiar faces, a racket in hand. That is also how you grow attached to a club: through these happy moments that become memories and, long afterwards, make you want to come back. For its fiftieth anniversary, TCCB gave everyone the chance to make new ones.

Founded in 1976, the club has grown with its encounters and its generations. On 19 September, that history took a particularly happy form: children on the courts, parents beside them, long-standing members and newer faces gathered for the same celebration. The memories of some met the first experiences of others. Together they made new ones, destined to join the shared memory that is passed on as much in conversation as in the exchanges on court.

The memories of some met the first experiences of others.

An afternoon with the family

From 1.30 p.m., the courts hosted the activities designed and run by the coaching team. Everyone could find a challenge. On court 1, taking on the coaches was one of the great attractions of the afternoon: the children loved measuring themselves against them. On court 2, matches on a smaller court, mini-rackets in hand, were a reminder that sometimes you only have to shrink the dimensions to enlarge the pleasure.

Parents and children beside the clay courts during the activities — On the courts, the challenges follow one another all afternoon.

Two coaches and two players together, all smiles, at the side of the court — On the courts, the challenges follow one another all afternoon.

Touché / Gagné was a great success. Aiming at the targets, adjusting your stroke, trying to win a prize: the formula had everything to win over the young players. A few steps away, the game of La Vache kept everyone wanting to stay in the rally, while the serve radar answered an irresistible question: how fast could you send that little ball? For once, excess speed was warmly encouraged.

Three young players proud of their little gold trophy, surrounded by the coaches — Aim, score, win a prize: the young players leave with a smile.

BONGENIE Sport invited people to try the latest racket models. On the hard court, the fitness workshops called on agility, coordination and cardio. Padel offered other trajectories to discover, with Jérémy alongside. Parents shared the afternoon with their children, giving the celebration the extra warmth that only family gatherings can bring.

A coordination workshop between yellow markers on the hard court, led by two coaches — Fitness workshops on the hard court, and an afternoon shared with the family.

Parents and children gathered around the afternoon stands — Fitness workshops on the hard court, and an afternoon shared with the family.

At the heart of all this energy, Candice, Adrien, Bilal, Jérémy, Marvin, Karine and David, with Justin on the microphone, gave the day their energy and their sense of play. That complicity with the children is built every week; the celebration gave it more room to show itself. From a piece of advice to a word of encouragement, the coaches pass on much more than a technical gesture: a way of living the sport and of taking your place in the group.

The TCCB coaching team gathered under the tent in the club colours — The coaches, at the heart of the celebration as on the courts.

A young player in TCCB kit on the clay during the activities — The coaches, at the heart of the celebration as on the courts.

During the afternoon, Michel Robadin also gathered the stories of Nicolas Mousset and of former president Robert-Henri Sechaud. The interview gave a voice to two generations of presidents, brought together by a shared history. A way of keeping the club’s memory and of sharing it with those who are writing its next chapter today.

The pleasure of being back together on the courts

Six young players lined up on the clay, rackets in hand — The young players and the coaches together on the courts for an afternoon of play and sharing.

Two TCCB coaches at the net, smiling, during the activities — The young players and the coaches together on the courts for an afternoon of play and sharing.

Justin on the microphone on the courts, in club kit — On the microphone as at the side of the court, a celebration at a child’s height.

A coach crouches and hugs a young player — On the microphone as at the side of the court, a celebration at a child’s height.

Children in tennis kit talking between activities — Between two challenges, a tasty pause.

The snack table, with cones of popcorn and sweets in the colours of the 50th anniversary — Between two challenges, a tasty pause.

From the aperitif to the gala

At 4.30 p.m., Skelp gave the celebration a new colour. The live concert accompanied the aperitif, prepared and served by the team at our restaurant, the Open Café, which also provided the gala dinner. La Collongeoise and the afternoon’s partners joined in that conviviality. There was time to talk, to find a doubles partner again, or to meet the parents of a young player. The club recovered its full dimension as a place to live.

Members and partners talking around the bar at aperitif time — Aperitif time, to the rhythm of Skelp’s live concert.

In the evening, the hall welcomed the gala in a setting made for the occasion. We had created a real décor in our tennis hall, giving this familiar space the look of a reception. Sport-chic dress, the welcome drink and the music of Luc Vincent and Lemoncello set a warm elegance. The luxury of the evening lay in that as well: being able to linger together, in a place to which everyone had already entrusted part of their memories.

Glasses of champagne served for the gala welcome drink — The welcome drink opens the gala evening.

Master of ceremonies for the evening, Michel Sorg held the thread of the night, from the welcome to the interviews, from the awards to the raffle. Alongside the opening speeches of Nicolas Mousset, president of TCCB, and of Fülöp Schegerin, representing the Commune of Collonge-Bellerive, came that of Christiane Jolissaint, vice-president of Swiss Tennis and representative of the ARGT. Their presence brought together, around the club, its ties to the commune and its tennis family.

Nicolas Mousset, president of TCCB, at the microphone during his opening speech — Nicolas Mousset, Michel Sorg, Fülöp Schegerin and Christiane Jolissaint take the floor.

The archives shown on screen and the joint interviews of Nicolas Mousset, Christian Korff and Robert-Henri Sechaud then invited everyone to travel through fifty years of history. Behind the stages of TCCB’s development lie decisions, commitments and years devoted to keeping an association alive. Recalling them together gave this anniversary its full meaning: recognising what has been built, with those who contributed to it.

An interview on stage in front of an archive photo of the club projected on the big screen — The joint interviews bring fifty years of history back to life.

Robert-Henri Sechaud, former president of TCCB, at the microphone on stage — Robert-Henri Sechaud, former president of the club.

Dinner continued the journey in its own way. An Italian salad, with coppa, malakoff and parmesan, came before the Khao Man Kai. Live music accompanied the meal, before the lemon tart and the 50th-anniversary cake. The care taken with the reception left every place to the simple pleasure of being at table together.

The 50th-anniversary awards

The awards honoured several ways of mattering in the life of the club. Maximilien Korff received the title of Junior of the year, presented by David Marceau. His progress, his results and his commitment were celebrated, as were his example, his tenacity and the way his attitude has grown. In the message of thanks he then addressed to the coaches and the committee, Maximilien made a point of recognising what he owed to those who accompany him. A fine reply to the trust placed in him.

Maximilien Korff on stage with his Junior of the year award — Maximilien Korff, Junior of the year.

Maïko’s team was distinguished as Emblematic team, with an award presented by Christian Korff. Nigel Cave and Gilbert Roulier were honoured as Historic members, a recognition carried by Nicolas Mousset. Through them, the club saluted the loyalty of those who, year after year, contribute to its history and give it a familiar face.

Maïko’s team gathered on stage to receive the Emblematic team award — Maïko’s team, distinguished as Emblematic team.

Nicolas Mousset alongside Nigel Cave, Historic member — Nigel Cave and Gilbert Roulier, Historic members, with Nicolas Mousset.

Nicolas Mousset alongside Gilbert Roulier, Historic member — Nigel Cave and Gilbert Roulier, Historic members, with Nicolas Mousset.

The presentation of the Coach award to David Marceau, by Stéphane Joly, held a very particular place in this celebration. For twenty years, David has passed on to young players the finest values of tennis: respect for the opponent, a taste for effort, perseverance and generosity in the group. Generations of players have grown up beside him. When he spoke, he made a point of thanking all the former presidents he has known and of naming his team, stressing that without it the club would be nothing. True to himself, he shared that recognition with those who accompany him. We, the coaches who work beside him, are proud of him and happy to belong to this team, to this club where we carry on that transmission together.

David Marceau speaks at the microphone after receiving the Coach award — David Marceau, Coach award.

The 50th-anniversary evening in pictures

Nicolas Mousset, president of TCCB, opens the evening at the lectern — The speeches open the anniversary evening.

Fülöp Schegerin, municipal councillor of Collonge-Bellerive, at the lectern — The speeches open the anniversary evening.

Christiane Jolissaint, vice-president of Swiss Tennis, at the podium in front of the screen bearing her name — The speeches and the memories give the club’s history its full place.

An interview on stage in front of an archive photo of the club — The speeches and the memories give the club’s history its full place.

The 50th-anniversary cake, topped with two golden rackets — The anniversary cake, and Justin beside David.

Justin and David, TCCB coaches, side by side on the courts — The anniversary cake, and Justin beside David.

The raffle, then the dance floor

Then the raffle left it to chance to hand out its own rewards. Hosted by Michel Sorg, with Rafaelle drawing the tickets, it offered some very fine prizes: two tickets for “The Last Backhand” at Palexpo, around Stan Wawrinka, two places for the Gonet Geneva Open 2027, and two nights at the Hôtel du Poète, in Fontaine-de-Vaucluse, breakfast and dinner included. Enough to extend the anniversary well beyond this evening.

A video message from Stan Wawrinka projected on the big screen during the evening — A word from Stan Wawrinka, shown on the big screen.

Ten vouchers of CHF 250 at BONGENIE, two complete Fourteen outfits in TCCB colours, hours of tennis and padel lessons with the club’s coaches, and the treatments and yoga and Pilates classes offered by Flower Studio completed this generous prize list. A warm thank-you to the donors. At reception and around the raffle, Julie and Teresa, helped by Noah, Charlize, Philippe, Max and Alexandra, also contributed to the smooth running of the celebration.

The raffle winners gathered on stage in front of the screen of prizes — The happy winners of the raffle.

After the photos of the committee and the coaches, DJ Keehm H took over to prolong the evening. Another way of working on your footwork, with a freedom the court rarely allows. The celebration could continue into the night, carrying with it the conversations and the emotions of the day.

The TCCB committee in front of the “Bienvenue” sign for the 50th anniversary — Photos of the committee and the coaches, before heading to the dance floor.

The TCCB coaches gathered around a table at the gala — Photos of the committee and the coaches, before heading to the dance floor.

Thank you

A celebration like this rests on a considerable amount of work beforehand. TCCB warmly thanks Nicolas Mousset and the whole committee: Michel Sorg, Nicolas Jouan, Rafaelle de Richemond, Mathieu Laurient, Stéphane Joly, Javier Acosta and Christian Korff. Alongside Justin Patrice, operational director, and the whole club team, their commitment brought this anniversary to life. Particular recognition goes to Teresa Mondini, whose preparatory work and involvement throughout the evening were precious. At reception as around the raffle, she helped make this celebration a moment of sharing for everyone. Thank you also to the maintenance teams, the Open Café team, the suppliers and everyone who lent a hand.

The coaches deserve very particular recognition. For this day, whose activities they carried with enthusiasm, and for the bond they keep every day with the children, the parents and the members. They know the progress you can see and the quieter efforts. They help you through a defeat, encourage another attempt and make you want to come back. Beside them are forged those childhood memories you keep for a long time: trust received, a difficulty overcome, the feeling of having found your place. It is also through them that the spirit of TCCB passes from one generation to the next.

A very particular thank-you to the Commune of Collonge-Bellerive, sponsor and essential partner of the club, whose precious support made this celebration possible. The event also benefited from the backing of the event partners, notably AIONICS AI, Azalink SA, Financial Keepers and Fourteen SA. Thank you to BONGENIE Sport for its presence, its contribution and the racket trials, to La Collongeoise, to Flower Studio, to the Hôtel du Poète, and to all the sponsors and donors. Their generosity contributed to the quality of the welcome and to the moments of pleasure offered to those who came.

Finally, thank you to the children, the parents, the members, the former members and the friends of TCCB for bringing this gathering to life. An anniversary takes its value from the presence of those who share it. On 19 September, everyone brought their story to the club; everyone could leave with one more memory.

A new generation

Fifty years after it was born, TCCB still has this precious good fortune: seeing children set off on the same courts where others grew up before them. One day, they may tell the story of this celebration and of the feeling of belonging to a history that began long before them, which they will have helped to grow. They will add their encounters, their friendships and the memories still left for them to make. Then they will open to others the door of this club where they will have received so much. The pleasure of playing together will have found a new generation.

A story built together

The TCCB committee gathered under the arch of balloons for the 50th anniversary — The committee gathered for TCCB’s 50th anniversary.

The coaches and Teresa gathered around a table at the gala — The pleasure of sharing the evening and of making new memories.

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