Brian Boyce, 26 June 1949 – 3 January 2019
It is with great sadness that we are announcing that Brian, founder of Winton Tennis Club, passed away on the 3rd January 2019 as a result of a stroke he suffered on the 31st December.
Brian ran Winton Tennis Club from 1991 until his retirement in 2013. He was the chief coach at the club and built up a large junior section as well as the adult club and coaching sessions. Later in the 1990s Brian affiliated the club to the LTA and started entering teams in the Dorset League.
Brian was always very welcoming to new players, and encouraging to beginners and less confident individuals. Many of us owe our love of the game to Brian’s bonhomie and the support he gave us as inexperienced new recruits.
Thank you Brian for creating the club where we all still love to play. May you rest in peace.
If you knew Brian, and would like to leave a tribute on this page, please use the form below.
Tennis is such an important part of my life now Brian and all because I attended one of your Improvers’ courses back in 1992. You helped me enhance my very basic schoolgirl level tennis to a point where I could join Winton Tennis Club and eventually play competitive league matches. We were all worried that the club would cease to exist when you retired Brian, as you were the heart and soul of the place, but we are so glad we have managed to keep it going because, for nearly thirty years now, it has been a place where players of all abilities, nationalities and ages can play together and laugh together and where I have made some wonderful friends. Thank you Brian.
Only just read this sad news. Condolences to Brian’s family. Brian was indeed always very welcoming to everyone at the tennis club. His enthusiasm for the game was contagious in every positive aspect. Thank you Brian for making the game enjoyable for me! RIP.
Last point sudden death deuce, last point sudden death deuce!
Brian was a very dedicated and considerate coach. I attended his group junior training sessions for years in my youth, and I still remember those Saturday afternoons vividly. First and foremost, they were fun. However, he never failed to spot areas of improvement in my game, and always made his points in easy-to-understand ways. I am extremely sad to hear of his passing, as he gave so much time and energy to helping dozens of children as well as myself. RIP Brian.
When I came to my first playing session at the club back in 2006, and Brian assessed my level of play, he told me that I would be one of the weakest players in the club, which didn’t surprise me as I hadn’t been playing for long. But he still encouraged me to join and made me feel welcome, and that encouragement always continued, even after his retirement.
He was always watching me and telling me how I could improve my game, and made me feel like an important part of the club, and without his help I don’t believe I would have reached the place I am now. Even after he retired he would come along to watch us play at club matches and playing sessions, and give me and other members advice on what he saw. And afterwards we would often sit on the benches and talk about the club, tennis in general, and all sorts of other things.
I helped Brian with running the box league and the website, eventually taking over both roles, and working together we became firm friends. I can’t tell you how much I’m going to miss him.
Thank you Brian for everything you’ve done for me, for the club which you loved, and for all it’s members. May you rest in peace.
Brian gave me the opportunity to join the club,after a conversation with my wife,who was sat on the bench watching me playing with my young son Michael,she said that I was interested in joining a club,Brian then had a little knock up with me,then invited me to a session,he and the other members made me feel welcome.Brian created a friendly and inclusive club,and may that legacy continue.
Brian was a kind and jolly fellow,thanks for everything,and rest in peace.
Roger.
Joined Winton tennis club in 2005 and became very friendly with Brian straight away he took me under his wing he was a very kind and caring man and I’m very sad to read he passed away earlier this year RIP my friend
My family were devastated when we heard the sad news of Brian’s passing, he taught both my sons, starting with Short tennis at the then called Townsend School, now Jewell Academy, many years ago. Matthew was aged 6 when he first started playing & Christopher aged 7 so Brian saw my boys grow up alongside his. Matthew is now 31 & Christopher 27. Matthew played for Winton Tennis Club for a while. Eamon, Brian’s youngest often had to play Chris in tournaments so we got to know each other very well & became great friends, recently learning too that my family are looked on as almost family from Safa, Bashaar & Eamon, a lovely thought. Matthew took over as coach from Brian at Winton Tennis Club a few years ago, Brian was Matthew’s mentor & he could not have asked for a nicer & kinder person as a role model. I then joined Winton Tennis Club & now play for the Ladies & the Mixed 2, I wear my Winton Tennis hoody with pride & am honoured to play for Winton as a tribute to Brian. God bless you Brian, you had a heart of gold & my family will miss you deeply. RIP Brian.
Saddened to hear of the passing of Brian Boyce. He was such an inspiration to so many young people over the years. My brother and I learned to play in Brian’s junior tennis classes in 1995, we still play and now my extended family play too.
Brian was so caring, understanding and positive on and off the tennis court, helping others learn to love the game. He organised excellent tournaments locally to provide competitive tennis in a fun environment, he was the heart of the community. Our thoughts are with the Boyce family.
I’ve just known about Brian’s sad news. He kindly accepted my family to join the tennis club when I studied English in Bournemouth in2008 and 2009. Not only I but also my children really enjoyed playing tennis owing to Brian. we still continue playing tennis in Japan. Now my children are 22 & 21 years old. We’ll never forget such beautiful days with Brian! Thank you, Brian! We wish you rest in peace.
So sad to hear about the passing of Brian, and it is with a heavy heart that I write the following.
Many fond memories remain with me from my time at Winton Tennis Club, and these are all thanks to Brian – his kind, welcoming and encouraging soul. I studied at Bournemouth University from 2005 – 2009 and I remember contacting Brian on one of my first days, asking If I could come along and play. Everyone at the club was so welcoming, friendly, and accepting of new members. Brian’s passion for both the game and the club struck me immediately, and his hard work establishing and running the club was clear. Throughout these 4 years, Saturday club sessions were a highlight of the week, as well as being given the chance to represent the club in the local leagues, again something Brian was incredibly encouraging of. How lucky I was to partner Brian on a number of occasions on court. He was fiercely competitive in the heat of battle, but had such a gentle personality off court. One match in particular comes to mind where 4 of us drove out to Ringwood, in his dark red car (a Renault I think that we all wondered how it was still working?), to play on 2 decaying grass courts. This was our first experience playing on the surface, and Brian talked us through the tactics. When not playing in the teams, he was an avid supporter and would sit on the benches behind the courts at Winton, living and breathing each point as it was played.
There are many more memories of Brian and Winton Tennis Club that I treasure, and I know many will be forever grateful for not only the opportunities he gave to play and develop their tennis, but a club where they could feel part of a friendly and inclusive family. He had a heart of gold, and made such a positive impression on all who he met. I hope the passion he had for Tennis lives long in all those who he inspired to take up the game and continue competing.
May you rest in peace Brian, and it really was a privilege to have known you.
So sorry to hear Brian has passed away. I only found out today when I saw the plaque at Winton Tennis courts when my son and I went to play.
I first met Brian about 35 years ago when I played him in the West Hants Mens Championships.
Such a lovely guy with a passion for tennis and a real gentleman
Rest in peace.
5th November 2021 – I have just learned of the death of Brian. He and I worked very closely together when I was Dorset County Development Officer from 1990 – 1998. We also ran the Dorset Coaches’ Association and organised the Coaches’ Association Summer Tournament, held at Bournemouth School for Girls.
Brian always approached difficult matters as a challenge rather than a problem. His method of approach was to be quietly effective. He was very approachable, modest, responsible and proved to be a great ambassador for the game. His two boys have lost a loving parent, and his wife, a devoted and special partner.
He set up a tennis club, through which countless folk, young and older, spend many hours enjoying themselves.
So his legacy is there for all to see. Craig McEwan