15 February 2019

The City's loss is tennis' gain

Rita Kilemade

Ever wondered how Local Tennis Leagues keeps a grip on all those match scores, round orders and tennis ball dispatches? Chances are that Rita, who learned her data skills in the City of London and honed her tennis talents on a neighbourhood court in rural Ireland, has run her sliderule over them

I can't really remember the first time I picked up a tennis racket, probably aged 8 or 9. I was very lucky to have tennis courts close to my home back in Ireland and that's where I spent most of my summer holidays. I played lots of sports as a kid but tennis was always my first love.

Regrettably, I didn't play for 20 years after I moved to London in my twenties but eventually I got my act together and joined a great club in North London. As is the case with a lot of clubs it was mainly doubles play which is great fun but I missed playing singles. So in 2010 I was delighted when a club member told me about Local Tennis Leagues (LTL). It was still relatively new then, I completed my playing standard questionnaire by e-mail, how far we've come!

I thoroughly enjoyed the leagues, it was great to broaden my circle of tennis friends and get some really good competitive matches. I was really impressed with whole concept and approach of LTL...the bonus balls, the winners prizes and the eagerly awaited the end of round reports!

Then I had the great pleasure and very good fortune to meet Sally and Nigel on the Italian tennis holiday they organised back in 2011. Fast forward to 2015 when I shed the shackles of the City to join the LTL team and I haven't looked back since! 

So, if like me, you haven't picked up a racket for a long time do it now! I can't guarantee you'll land a job out of it but you'll get to play some great tennis and meet lots of new people!

With spring on its way, it's a great time to get back on court in the Highbury Fields League. The next round starts on 28th February and is open for entries here