Don Thomson
DSA Award Winner (2024)
Don Thomson has been a dedicated and influential figure in the North York tennis community for over 50 years. His involvement began at Newtonbrook Tennis Club and deepened as he joined the North York Winter Tennis Club (NYWTC) in 1996. Encouraged by his children’s participation, Don's extensive experience at Hershey’s Canada brought a professional touch to his roles, enhancing the club's operations.
Elected to the NYWTC Board in 1996, Don served as Treasurer from 1997 to 2002 and as President from 2002 to 2016. He remains active as the Chair of the Nomination Committee. His foresight led to a significant office expansion in preparation for a year-round bubble, a project he spearheaded in 2000, enabling year-round tennis and lessons by October 2001 without taxpayer expense.
Don modernized the club's systems, transitioning from manual accounting to computerized systems and introducing an efficient online court booking system, replacing the cumbersome phone-in method. His influence extended to staff development, notably encouraging head pro Tyler Prescott to enhance his certification, resulting in multiple coaching awards and the development of world champion Jada Bui.
Don’s leadership and vision have been instrumental in advancing NYWTC’s status, making him a pivotal figure in North York tennis. His contributions have left a lasting impact, fostering a vibrant and professional tennis community.
