Kingston Bagpuize with Southmoor Tennis Club

" I first played tennis at secondary school and made the school team - as much for my enthusiasm as for any degree of skill. At 16 I was lucky enough to go on a school trip to Wimbledon where I completely fell in love with the game and became an avid spectator. However, I didn't play again until my early 30's after the White Horse Tennis Centre opened in Abingdon. I rather hesitantly joined their beginner group coaching sessions but progressed to intermediate level and subsequently started playing competitively in the singles ladders. After having my daughter, I found it difficult to get to the sessions in Abingdon and was frustrated by the lack of court availability. So I joined KBS instead where I was welcomed by players of a similar level who persuaded me to go to Sunday morning Open sessions and start group coaching. As my daughter got older, I had more time and tennis became my regular exercise as it was flexible enough to be able to arrange to play to fit in with my family commitments. I was then co-opted onto the women's C team and started playing League matches. I found the matches really sociable and surprisingly unpressured as we were playing in the lowest Division in the League. As I was getting so much out of the club, I decided to give something back and took on the role of Match Secretary when the vacancy arose. Subsequently, I then became Captain of the then women's B team. I've really enjoyed mixing with players of all levels within the club and taking part in the annual club competition. I also now enjoy playing mixed doubles competitively - although I do feel sorry for whoever gets me as their partner as they have to work a lot harder to compensate for my limitations!