Tell us a bit about yourself?
Hello! I’m sure most people know me from being generally noisy around the club, but I’m Katie. I am a doctor of Osteoarchaeology, have worked in some really weird and wonderful archaeological roles, and am currently working as a civil engineer. I love going on holiday and enjoy exploring a historic city more than anything!
Tennis has always been such a huge part of my life. No matter where I have lived, I have joined a club and found a way to keep hitting.
Apart from tennis, what are your other passions?
I have a lot of things I am passionate about other than tennis – skeletons (I know, very weird!), history, netball and silly quiz shows are but a few!
I have also started to enjoy paddleboarding – there is nothing more relaxing than spending an evening paddling down a quiet river at twilight!
When and why did you start playing tennis?
I started playing tennis when I was 4 years old at an after-school group with some other very long running members. Elaine Cawley used to walk our little group from Hobbs Hill school and drop us at the club for our session. I also spent every single Friday at Junior Night and every single Saturday morning at Junior Morning! I even used to get coached by one of the previous Ladies Singles Champions!
What do you love about Leverstock Green Tennis Club?
I have played at LGLTC for my whole life. In fact, I have now been a member for 25 years!! Despite moving around a lot (living in Milton Keynes, Hull, Leicester, Silsoe) I have never stopped my membership at LGLTC. I have joined other clubs over the years, and I can genuinely say that none of them have been as friendly or provided as many opportunities for me to play.
I love the people, the competition, the events we put on, and so much more, (and how close it is to my house!)
What activities do you enjoy taking part in at the club?
I love a party – one of my favourite LGLTC events is the annual dinner dance! And you’ve got to love a Fishy Quiz (despite the fact we quite often win the toilet paper!!)
As a player, my favourite tennis event at the club is Club Closed Finals Day! I am extremely competitive so always aim to be in at least one final, and love playing and watching the tennis all day! Especially once my matches are over and I can watch with a Pimm’s in hand!
What has been your favourite tennis moment?
I think it has to be when I was given a coaching course by Judy Murray, who was absolutely hilarious. Or perhaps meeting Cathy Sabin, the then LTA president, and getting to talk about getting girls into tennis.
What’s the funniest thing that’s happened to you on court?
I think other people would say I have had some funny falls, recently in an away match at Dunstable I fell over at such a weird angle that I ended up doing a roly-poly into the middle of someone else’s point.
While I like to think I’m quite a serious tennis player, I can imagine there are quite a few people who have seen me do some funny things on a tennis court!
You have a few tennis club committee roles – what are the challenges and the rewards?
I am Ladies’ Captain, joint Tournament Organiser with Elliott and Graham, and Junior Coordinator.
The most challenging thing is finding time to fit everything in. There is a lot that goes on in the background to keep the club running! But the rewards outweigh all of the stress of squeezing everything in.
I love seeing new ladies join the teams and work hard on their games and improve. I also love seeing the young girls joining the teams and working their way through to the top!
I also love that the Junior Night has become such a big hit, with over 30 kids attending every week and getting to see lots of new juniors find their way into tennis in the same way I did.
How would you like to see LGLTC evolve in the next few years?
New facilities! We are working really hard to improve the facilities, and that will make all the difference!
Do you have a favourite pro player and why?
My favourite pro players have to be Jannik Sinner and Aryna Sabalenka! They are very inspiring players, and I love watching them play!
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