Since 1995 the gay tennisplayers used a couple of courts on Saturday afternoons, and gradually their initiative attracted more participants. The idea for a gay and lesbian tennisclub was born. In 1996 Tom Bijlmer and Ed van Betuwe founded the first gay and lesbian tennisclub: Smashing Pink. The club got their first clay courts at NTC tennispark.

In the years to come Smashing Pink grew rapidly to over 400 gay and lesbian members. Once Amsterdam was elected to organize the Gay Games in 1998 the yearly Pinksterstennis became a rehearsal for organizing gay and lesbian tennistournaments on a larger scale. For clubmembers as well as for many others the Pinkster Tournament is a yearly highlight.

In the spirit of gay and lesbian visibility in sports the Pinkstertournament rewards a remarkable participant for his or her achievements every year. The Pinkster Trophy symbolises LGBTI empowerment. The trophy was initiated by Ed van Betuw, one of the founders of the Pinkstertournament: “The trophy emphasizes the aim of the tournament for inclusion and gay empowerment in sports. Everyone, regardless their gender, age or level of play can win the trophy.” Artist Berenice Witsen Elias designed the Pinkster Trophy.