2026 SPECIAL SESSION I

INTRODUCED

26200221D

HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 2107

Offered June 16, 2026

Celebrating the life of Ivan Ronaldson.

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Patron—Seibold

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WHEREAS, Ivan Ronaldson, a respected leader in the sport of real tennis who had earned several junior titles and coached players of all ages and skill levels in Northern Virginia, died on August 17, 2025; and

WHEREAS, born in Australia to British expatriates Lesley and Chris Ronaldson, Ivan Ronaldson grew up in London, England, after his parents accepted a position as real tennis professionals at the Royal Tennis Court in Hampton Court Palace; and

WHEREAS, Ivan Ronaldson attended Papplewick School and Canford School, where he studied real tennis, also known as royal tennis or court tennis, under the tutelage of his uncle, who was the school's real tennis professional at the time; and

WHEREAS, from a young age, Ivan Ronaldson began to develop the powerful, strategic game that became his hallmark; he won three under-12 titles, two under-14 titles, and two under-16 titles over the course of his playing career; and

WHEREAS, as a teenager, Ivan Ronaldson helped his parents manage the tennis club at Hampton Court Palace, sweeping the court, booking lessons and social games, and learning to engage with people from a wide range of backgrounds; and

WHEREAS, Ivan Ronaldson studied at Reading University before pursuing a career in real tennis; he was a trainee professional player at Holyport Tennis Club from 1993 to 1995, then became a teaching pro at the Palace of Fontainebleau in Paris, France, from 1995 to 1998, Hampton Court Palace from 1998 to 2002, and Prested Hall in Essex, England, from 2002 to 2005; and

WHEREAS, Ivan Ronaldson came to the Commonwealth to serve as head real tennis professional in the Northern Virginia Region in 2005, first at Prince's Court in McLean and more recently at Westwood Country Club in Vienna; he was highly admired for his ability to analyze players and develop tactics and strategies to suit their abilities and skill levels; and

WHEREAS, Ivan Ronaldson worked with the United States Court Tennis Association (USCTA) and the United States Court Tennis Preservation Foundation to scout and develop young players throughout the nation; and

WHEREAS, in 2019, Ivan Ronaldson proudly coached the United States real tennis junior team to its first victory at the Van Alen Cup in 25 years, for which he was honored as the USCTA Professional of the Year; and

WHEREAS, Ivan Ronaldson will be fondly remembered and greatly missed by his wife, Christina; his children, Liliana and Bruce; his parents, Lesley and Chris; his brothers, Ben and Luke; and numerous other family members and friends; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That the House of Delegates hereby note with great sadness the loss of Ivan Ronaldson, a highly respected and influential leader in the sport of real tennis; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the family of Ivan Ronaldson as an expression of the House of Delegates' respect for his memory.