Tennis Competition Manager appointed

Clare will be responsible for the planning, organisation and management of the Olympic and Paralympic Tennis events in 2012. Commenting on her appointment Clare said: 'I'm delighted and honoured to have been appointed because this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. My aim is to deliver the best possible experience for everyone involved with the Tennis events - competitors, supporters, spectators and volunteers. Wimbledon is a stunning location and it will be fantastic to have the Olympic event on grass again, the first time since 1908. Eton Manor will also be a spectacular venue for Paralympic Tennis.'

Paul Smith, Executive Director of the Davis Cup, Fed Cup and Olympic Tennis at the International Tennis Federation (ITF), said: 'Clare is an excellent choice as the Tennis competition manager for London 2012. The former British No. 1 not only understands the players’ perspective but, now in her current role as a gold badge official and Assistant Referee at the Championships, also understands the administrative side of the game. Added to that is Clare’s knowledge of Wimbledon itself, making her the ideal candidate for this important position. We look forward to working with Clare and the London 2012 team.'

Clare’s responsibilities include the overseeing of all aspects of the Tennis events, ensuring they are organised in accordance with ITF rules, the International Olympic Charter and the Host City Contract. She will be the focal point for liaison with the ITF, and will be working with all functional areas to ensure the coordinated delivery of a wide range of support services such as venue operations, accreditation, transport and security. This summer Clare will be travelling to the Beijing Games to see what lessons can be learned from the Tennis events there. She will initially start her role with the London Organising Committee on a part-time basis, becoming full time in 2010.

Clare competed on the WTA Tour for ten years from 1987-97, reaching a career high singles ranking of 70 and was also ranked in the top 50 in doubles. She won British National Singles Championships three times. She also represented Great Britain in the Fed Cup and took part in three Olympic Games.

After retiring from competitive tennis Clare turned to a career in officiating. From 1999-2002 she worked as a Supervisor on the WTA Tour and became a Gold Badge Referee. For the past six years Clare has worked in the Referee’s Office at Wimbledon as an Assistant Referee, with full responsibility for the qualifying and junior events. In the summer of 2004 she was also selected as an Assistant Referee for the Tennis event at the Athens Olympic Games. Clare also has refereed numerous Fed Cup and Davis Cup ties, including in 2005 the Fed Cup finals at Roland Garros in Paris. When not officiating she helps with the Wimbledon Junior Tennis Initiative.

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