Carla Williams has been a Priory member for a couple of years now and has kindly agreed to tell us all about how she joined the club and how she has settled in. In this article, we share our short Q&A with Carla in an effort to encourage and inspire everyone, regardless of age and ability, to pick up a tennis racket and jump on court. So, without further ado, here’s our conversation with Carla:
When and how did you join Priory Tennis Club?
“I joined back in August 2021. I’d booked a Tennis Xpress course online and started coming to lessons.”
Was playing at Priory your first tennis experience or had you played before?
“Yes, it was my very first time playing tennis. I’d never picked up a tennis racket until that day.”
Did you come through the coaching programme, or did you join a social session first?
“Yes, I came through Tennis Xpress. After that, I moved into group coaching on Sundays before getting involved in Thursday night social tennis.”
If you joined through coaching, what was your transition into the rest of the club like?
“Really easy, actually. Jonno, one of the coaches, suggested I go to one of the social sessions to practise what we had been working on in coaching. I went along one Thursday and settled in right away. Everyone was super nice and so welcoming, so I kept coming back.”
Since joining, how have you settled into the club?
“I think I’ve settled in really well and found my place at the club. There’s a few of us from the Sunday group sessions who like to play together outside of coaching as part of the ladder league, which has been really good experience. I bring my youngest daughter to Saturday group coaching sessions through LTA Youth Orange and now Green group as well as junior social on a Sunday and we both enjoy coming to social events like the quiz night, the NYE get together and really looking forward to the murder mystery night which my non-tennis playing daughter is even coming along to for something a bit different.”
You've recently taken the first steps in becoming a LTA Level 1 Coaching Assistant. How's that going?
“Nearly there! It was a nice surprise to be asked, to be honest. Being relatively new to the sport and club it’s not something I ever saw myself doing, but I’m so glad I have. I’ve definitely learnt a lot from taking the LTA Level 1 course and already had the opportunity to take part in some coaching sessions which have been a lot of fun. Both Andy (the head coach) and Jonno have been really supportive, as have the committee and club members in helping me with it.”
You've talked about wanting to help promote female tennis at Priory. Can you tell us a bit more about that?
“When my 10 year old started coming to the junior social on a Sunday afternoon, it caught my attention that she was usually the only girl there, even though at coaching sessions there’s a good mix. It’s such a good session and the boys were so welcoming and friendly to her that it seemed a shame that more young girls didn’t attend to get some excellent experience and hopefully build a junior girls team and start competing like the boys do. Of course, it’s not just at our club or even just tennis that struggles with female participation. It’s something that affects all sports at least to some degree, and everything we can do to break down the barriers and encourage more women and girls into tennis will be great for Priory and for the sport in general.”
What developments or improvements would you like to see at Priory in years to come?
“I’d love to see a Junior girls’ team competing in the local Cheshire leagues and maybe some cardio tennis to attract people to the sport in a slightly different way.”
If you were encouraging someone to join the club, what tips would you give them?
“Personally, I found that Tennis Xpress was a really great way to try tennis with no long term commitment. For years, what put me off was that I didn’t have anyone to play with, but when I joined I got put in touch with other members to arrange a game with and coming to the social sessions, even if not to play at first, is a fantastic way to get to know people. The club has got a really nice, family-friendly environment going. It’s not felt like a gym membership where I’d go every week and not speak to anyone or be spoken to. There’s a real effort to involve everyone and make them feel a part of the club. I would definitely recommend giving it a go to anyone, regardless of age or ability.”
Since Carla told us a bit about her story at Priory Tennis Club, she’s actually completed her Level 1 Coaching Assistant qualification and has started to get involved in some of the coaching too. Working with Carla, we’re hoping to find more creative ways to encourage girls and women of all ages and abilities into tennis.
