21 March 2018

Getting back into it!

Julie Cooper

We had a good old catch-up with Julie Cooper. Julie's based in Norfolk and works as an office administrator at the University of East Anglia. Having stopped playing tennis regularly when she was 18, she is now a member of the Norwich Parks Tennis League at Eaton Park, and credits Local Tennis Leagues with firing up a renewed interest in the sport.

“I wanted to get back into tennis – I used to play a lot when I was younger and I wanted to meet some new people,” said Julie, who plays in both a ladies’ league and a mixed league.

“I signed up three years ago, having played at school team level and a couple of county games, but nothing more.

I’ve really enjoyed it – it’s as competitive as you want to make it really, I’ve made some good friends out of it as well, so it’s great from a social aspect.

One of our ladies managed to get the Parks Tennis League to trial a Norwich Parks ladies league which has become a great success.

I think it’s very important – there’s not that much opportunity for people like me who played a lot when they were younger to get back into something they otherwise might be a bit reluctant to do.”

We're working hard to change the perception of tennis here at Local Tennis Leagues, it's all about having fun and getting everyone involved! And fun is something that Julie takes very seriously!

I always say to my opponent that I’m there to enjoy it. I’m not competitive enough to get totally despondent if I lose all my matches, it’s all good experience.

The success of the leagues is in no small part down to players like Julie who breathe such a friendly, competitive life into local tennis. Thanks for chatting Julie!

Join the Norwich mixed league here and Women's league here