Robert Wright

Major Accomplishments

Played an instrumental role in Canadian tennis as an administrator and leader.
Became vice-president of Tennis Canada in 1985 and served as president of Tennis BC from 1987-1989.

Biography

Robert Wright was born and raised in Vancouver, British Columbia, obtained a law degree from Queen’s University and was awarded a Queen’s Counsel in 1987. Wright is a life-long athlete and tennis player. He excelled in basketball in high school and later at Simon Fraser University during the 1960’s. He began his competitive tennis career after his 30th birthday and he has reached the senior nationals doubles final in several age categories four times. He has remained active in local leagues and tournaments.

In the early 1980s, Wright was asked to join the board of Tennis BC. He agreed and later became president of Tennis B.C., and joined the board of Tennis Canada in 1983 and in 1985 he became the Vice-President.

Wright was elected president of Tennis Canada from 1987-1989 and chair from 1989-1991. He piloted Tennis Canada’s adoption of a new corporate structure by elevating the position of executive director to that of the president and CEO and by delegating responsibility for Tennis Canada’s activities to members of the staff. He recruited Bob Moffatt to become the first paid president of Tennis Canada.

Wright’s contribution to Tennis Canada can be measured by two things. He was able to secure stability for the Canadian Open tennis tournament by working with Imperial Tobacco to allow full control of the event to pass to Tennis Canada. Secondly, he negotiated with the Provincial Tennis Associations a restructuring of AGM voting powers to ensure that no one province could dominate the national tennis agenda.

Wright also assisted in bringing Fed Cup to Vancouver in 1987. He served on the Fed Cup Committee of the International Tennis Federation (ITF).

Among Wright’s achievements was the creation of the Canadian Tennis Hall of Fame in 1991, the creation of the Canadian Tennis Foundation for all charitable contributions raised in support of tennis in Canada, the creation of the Tennis Canada Yearbook and the staging of the gala to celebrate the 100th Anniversary Celebration in 1990.

“The stamp of his personality and intellect was as imposing on Tennis Canada’s programs and directions as was his basketball player’s physical size. His unflagging good humor and crackling pragmatism made his association with Canada’s national governing body for tennis lively and productive.” (Don Goodwin, 1992 Tennis Canada Magazine)

Wright lives with his wife Laura and sons Scott and Craig in Coquitlam, British Columbia. He is currently the Executive Director of Criminal Appeals and Special Prosecutions in British Columbia.